ENTER THE VIDEO STORE: EMPIRE OF SCREAMS | Blu-ray | Arrow Films
B-HORROR | DARK COMEDY | MONSTER HORROR | COMEDY | HORROR | SCI-FI
Collection of five horror and sci-fi action features from Empire International Pictures. In 'The Dungeonmaster' (1984) computer programmer Paul (Jeffrey Byron) and his girlfriend Gwen (Leslie Wing) are transported to a hellish realm by Mestema (Richard Moll), a demonic wizard searching for a worthy adversary to battle. Mestema forces Paul to compete in a series of seven spectacular super-challenges with Gwen as the winner's prize. 'Dolls' (1986) follows a group of people seeking shelter from a storm in a mansion full of dolls and puppets belonging to toymakers Gabriel Hartwicke (Guy Rolfe) and his wife Hilary (Hilary Mason). When the dolls come to life and attack the visitors, will any of them survive the night? In 'Cellar Dweller' (1987) a comic book artist creates a monster which comes to life and destroys him. Years later, when his house becomes an art institute, the students are unaware of the horror that awaits them in the cellar... 'Arena' (1989) finds human Steve Armstrong (Paul Satterfield) forced to compete against alien fighters in the deadly Arena in a bid to save his friend. Finally, in the post-apocalyptic world of 'Robot Jox' (1989), war is outlawed and disputes between nations are settled by battles between giant machines piloted by humans. Market pilot Achilles (Gary Graham) is due to fight Confederation pilot Alexander (Paul Koslo) for the territory of Alaska but refuses to participate after 300 spectators were killed during his previous fight. However, the threat of a Confederation spy within his team and worry for his replacement Athena (Anne-Marie Johnson) see him return to fight.
| Year | 1989 |
| Certificate | Rated BBFC: 18 |
| Runtime | 427 mins |
| Director | Peter Manoogian, John Carl Buechler, Stuart Gordon, David Allen, Charles Band, Steven Ford, Ted Nicolaou, Rosemarie Turko |
| Starring | Jeffrey Byron, Richard Moll, Leslie Wing, Ian Patrick Williams, Carolyn Purdy-Gordon, Carrie Lorraine, Guy Rolfe, Hilary Mason, Bunty Bailey, Cassie Stuart, Stephen Lee, Yvonne De Carlo, Debrah Mullowney, Brian Robbins, Pamela Bellwood, Cheryl-Ann Wilson, Vince Edwards, Jeffrey Combs, Paul Satterfield, Hamilton Camp, Claudia Christian, Marc Alaimo, Shari Shattuck, Armin Shimerman, Gary Graham, Anne-Marie Johnson, Paul Koslo, Robert Sampson, Danny Kamekona, Hilary Mason |
| Studio | Arrow Films |
| Edition | Standard Edition |
| Release Date | 23 Oct 2023 |
| Country of Release | United Kingdom |
| Discs | 5 x Blu-ray Disc |
| Region | 2K Blu-ray: Region B, A |
| Video | Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Resolution: 1080p Aspect ratio: 1.85:1 |
| Audio | English: LPCM Mono English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 English: LPCM 2.0 |
| Language | 'The Dungeonmaster': English |
| Subtitles | English SDH |
| Packaging | Slipbox Reversible cover |
| Barcode | 5027035026206 |
Special Features
Standard Edition 5-Disc Blu-ray Box Set | 5 films: The Dungeonmaster / Dolls / Cellar Dweller / Arena / Robot Jox | Empire International Pictures collection | Standard edition packaging | Reversible sleeves featuring artwork by Ilan Sheady
DISC 1 – THE DUNGEONMASTER (1984)
New 2K restoration from original negative | Three versions: US Theatrical, pre-release and Ragewar international cut
New audio commentary with star Jeffrey Byron, moderated by Matty Budrewicz and Dave Wain
I Reject Your Reality and Substitute My Own – new interview with star Jeffrey Byron
DISC 2 – DOLLS (1987)
New 2K restoration from original interpositive
New audio commentary by David Decoteau
Archive commentary with director Stuart Gordon and writer Ed Naha
Archive commentary with cast members Carolyn Purdy-Gordon, Stephen Lee, Carrie Lorraine and Ian Patrick Williams
Assembling Dolls – new interview with editor Lee Percy
Toys of Terror: The Making of Dolls – archive featurette
DISC 3 – CELLAR DWELLER (1988)
New audio commentary with special make-up effects artist Michael Deak, moderated by Budrewicz and Wain
Grabbed by the Ghoulies – new appreciation of director John Carl Buechler
Inside the Cellar – new interview with Michael Deak
DISC 4 – ARENA (1989)
New audio commentary with director Peter Manoogian, moderated by Budrewicz and Wain
DISC 5 – ROBOT JOX (1990)
New 2K restoration from original negative
Archive audio commentary with director Stuart Gordon
Archive audio commentary with associate effects director Paul Gentry, mechanical effects artist Mark Rappaport and stop-motion animator Paul Jessell
Crash and Burn – new interview with actor Gary Graham
Her Name is Athena – new interview with actress Anne-Marie Johnson
The Scale of Battle: David Allen and the FX of Robot Jox – appreciation of stop-motion animator David Allen
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