This August, Arrow Video releases its first ever titles in 4K Ultra HD – two sci-fi classics, the superb space shocker Pitch Black, starring Vin Diesel, and the beloved and brilliantly timeless Flash Gordon, directed by Mike Hodges. These two definitive, and stunningly-presented editions, restored in 4K with Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible), are just the start of Arrow Video’s journey into a dazzling hi-definition world that offers viewers astonishing, pin-sharp resolution, bringing film favourites to life like never before.
“We are proud to announce that we have decided to launch our first 4K Ultra HD titles,” says Francesco Simeoni, Arrow Video’s Director of Acquisitions and Business Development. “At Arrow we have always sought to have the best standards in home video presentation so it seemed a logical step that we would embrace this new format, to present you with the best versions of the finest cult and classic films.”
Arrow has an exciting slate of 4K releases, many completed in-house, but also in partnership with world leading labels.
“Whilst we are focused on new releases, we do have select releases we are planning to release from our catalogue in 4K with Dolby Vision,” says Simeoni. “For this year this will be releasing all upcoming UHD titles in separate UHD and new Blu-ray editions. This development will not change our processes at Arrow and you can continue to expect the same variety of special and limited editions for our UHD releases as you have our Blu-rays. Whilst we would love to release certain titles on UHD, rights restrictions and materials will not make all releases possible. Any releases currently planned for Blu-ray will not have plans for subsequent UHD releases. All releases will strive for the best home entertainment presentation possible and we look forward to bringing you more great releases in 2020 and beyond.”
The sci-fi/horror sleeper hit that birthed a franchise and launched the career of a new action movie icon, Pitch Black is released in an illuminating, brand new and definitive Ultra HD 4K restoration, with hours of exclusive bonus content. The film – about the crew of a crashed spaceship fighting for survival – holds its own today as a nerve-shredding creature-feature in which the monsters outside finally meet their match against a monster within. Boasting crackerjack direction and a whip-smart script by David Twohy, as well as a star-making performance by Vin Diesel, this lavishly packaged edition includes director’s cuts of the film, a host of behind-the-scenes featurettes and much much more.
PITCH BLACK ULTRA HD 4K BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS:
Brand new 4K restoration by Arrow Films of the Theatrical and Director’s Cuts of the film, approved by director David Twohy
4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
Original DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround on both cuts
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing on both cuts
Archive commentary with director David Twohy and stars Vin Diesel and Cole Hauser
Archive commentary with director David Twohy, producer Tom Engelman and visual effects supervisor Peter Chiang
Nightfall: The Making of Pitch Black, a newly filmed interview with director/co-writer David Twohy
Black Box: Jackie’s Journey, a newly filmed interview with actor Rhiana Griffith
Black Box: Shazza’s Last Stand, a newly filmed interview with actor Claudia Black
Black Box: Bleach Bypassed, a newly filmed interview with cinematographer David Eggby
Black Box: Cryo-Locked, a newly filmed interview with visual effects supervisor Peter Chiang
Black Box: Primal Sounds, a newly filmed interview with composer Graeme Revell
The Making of Pitch Black, a short behind-the-scenes featurette
Pitch Black Raw, a comparison between early CG tests and the final footage
Additional behind-the-scenes footage from the making of the film
2004 archive bonus features, including an introduction by Twohy, A View Into The Dark, and Chronicles of Riddick Visual Encyclopedia
Johns’ Chase Log, a short prequel narrated by Cole Hauser detailing the character’s hunt for Riddick
The Chronicles of Riddick: Dark Fury (in 16:9 widescreen with DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio), an animated short film directed by Peter Chung that acts as a bridgepoint between Pitch Black and The Chronicles of Riddick, featuring vocal performances by Vin Diesel, Keith David and Rhiana Griffith reprising their roles
Dark Fury bonus features including Bridging The Gap, Peter Chung: The Mind of an Animator, A View Into The Light, and a “pre-animation” version of the film
Slam City, a motion comic from the film’s official website
Into Pitch Black, a TV special offering an alternative non-canon glimpse into what happened before and after the events of the film
Raveworld: Pitch Black Event, footage of a dance music event held to promote the film
Theatrical trailers, plus trailers for the two sequels and video game
Image galleries
Reversible sleeve featuring newly commissioned ‘night’ and ‘day’ artwork by Luke Preece
FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Collectors’ booklet featuring new writing by Simon Ward on the film’s creature designs (including a new interview with creature designer Patrick Tatopolous), original production notes and information from the film’s official website, and an archive interview with Vin Diesel from Starlog magazine.
PITCH BLACK BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS:
Brand new 4K restoration by Arrow Films of the Theatrical and Director’s Cuts of the film, approved by director David Twohy
High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray presentation
Original DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround on both cuts
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing on both cuts
Archive commentary with director David Twohy and stars Vin Diesel and Cole Hauser
Archive commentary with director David Twohy, producer Tom Engelman and visual effects supervisor Peter Chiang
Nightfall: The Making of Pitch Black, a newly filmed interview with director/co-writer David Twohy
Black Box: Jackie’s Journey, a newly filmed interview with actor Rhiana Griffith
Black Box: Shazza’s Last Stand, a newly filmed interview with actor Claudia Black
Black Box: Bleach Bypassed, a newly filmed interview with cinematographer David Eggby
Black Box: Cryo-Locked, a newly filmed interview with visual effects supervisor Peter Chiang
Black Box: Primal Sounds, a newly filmed interview with composer Graeme Revell
The Making of Pitch Black, a short behind-the-scenes featurette
Pitch Black Raw, a comparison between early CG tests and the final footage
Additional behind-the-scenes footage from the making of the film
2004 archive bonus features, including an introduction by Twohy, A View Into The Dark, and Chronicles of Riddick Visual Encyclopedia
Johns’ Chase Log, a short prequel narrated by Cole Hauser detailing the character’s hunt for Riddick
The Chronicles of Riddick: Dark Fury (in 16:9 widescreen with DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio), an animated short film directed by Peter Chung that acts as a bridgepoint between Pitch Black and The Chronicles of Riddick, featuring vocal performances by Vin Diesel, Keith David and Rhiana Griffith reprising their roles
Dark Fury bonus features including Bridging The Gap, Peter Chung: The Mind of an Animator, A View Into The Light, and a “pre-animation” version of the film
Slam City, a motion comic from the film’s official website
Into Pitch Black, a TV special offering an alternative non-canon glimpse into what happened before and after the events of the film
Raveworld: Pitch Black Event, footage of a dance music event held to promote the film
Theatrical trailers, plus trailers for the two sequels and video game
Image galleries
Reversible sleeve featuring newly commissioned ‘night’ and ‘day’ artwork by Luke Preece
FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Collectors’ booklet featuring new writing by Simon Ward on the film’s creature designs (including a new interview with creature designer Patrick Tatopolous), original production notes and information from the film’s official website, and an archive interview with Vin Diesel from Starlog magazine.
Also in August, Arrow Video release the fabulous Flash Gordon, in sparkling 4K, in lavish packaging with a host of extras and goodies. Super producer Dino De Laurentiis (Dune, Barbarella) brought Alex Raymond’s beloved cartoon strip and the long running movie serial to the big screen with celebrated director Mike Hodges (Get Carter, Black Rainbow) at the helm, in a delirious space opera, where Flash is King of the Impossible! With endlessly repeatable dialogue, inimitable camp style, the sonic stylings of Queen and a delightful band of characters and actors playing (including Max von Sydow, Ornella Muti and Brian Blessed) then it’s no wonder Flash Gordon has become one of the most beloved sci-fi spectacles of its era.
Limited Edition ULTRA HD 4K:
DIRECTOR-APPROVED LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS:
Brand new 4K restoration by Studiocanal from the original camera negative approved by director Mike Hodges
4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
Optional 5.1 and 2.0 stereo DTS-HD Master audio
Booklet featuring new writing on the film by critics and film historians including Neil Snowdon, Dennis Cozzalio, John-Paul Checkett, A.K. Benedict, and Kat Ellinger illustrated with original stills
Fold-out double-sided poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork
Six double-sided, postcard-sized lobby card reproductions, alternative posters and promotional images
Limited Edition packaging with reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Adam Rabalais
DISC 1 – FLASH GORDON & SPECIAL FEATURES (ULTRA HD 4K BLU-RAY):
Archival audio commentary with Mike Hodges
Archival audio commentary with Brian Blessed
Interviews with actors Sam J. Jones, Melody Anderson, Brian Blessed, Queen icon Brian May, composer Howard Blake, and poster designer Renato Casaro
Behind the Scenes of Flash Gordon – an archival documentary on the making of the film
Archival interviews with Mike Hodges, screenwriter Lorenzo Semple Jr., comic book artist Alex Ross
Lost in Space: Nic Roeg’s Flash Gordon – a new documentary program exploring the version Roeg (The Man Who Fell to Earth) had originally planned to make with producer Dino De Laurentiis
Gremlin’s Finest Hour – an episode from the animated Flash Gordon TV show written by J. Michael Reaves from November 1982
Deleted scenes and original endings – prop collector Bob Lindenmayer discusses dropped sequences and sequel ideas
35th Anniversary Greenroom featurette – Mike Hodges meets the cast for the first time since filming at the 35th anniversary reunion
35th Anniversary Reunion featurette – the cast and crew discuss Flash Gordon
Entertainment Earth on Flash Gordon merchandise
Storyboards gallery
Stills gallery
Original Trailer
Easter Eggs
DISC 2 – LIFE AFTER FLASH & SPECIAL FEATURES [LIMITED EDITION EXCLUSIVE] (BLU-RAY):
2017 feature length documentary by filmmaker Lisa Downs on the rollercoaster life of Sam J. Jones since his role in Flash Gordon, featuring the main cast and crew as well as a host of fans including Stan Lee, Robert Rodriguez, Mark Millar and more!
Sam J. Jones – a variety of interviews and featurettes including coverage of a script read from the Chattanooga Film Festival, Sam discussing his career in Mexico, his “prayer walk”, and more
Melody Paintings Extended – actress Melody Anderson talks about her love of painting and talks about various pieces displayed in her home
Topol – a variety of interviews with the actor on his collections, awards and charity work
Brian Blessed – the actor recounts amusing stories about Flash Gordon
Late, Great Wyngarde – actor Peter Wyngarde discusses his experiences filming Flash Gordon and his relationship with Mike Hodges
Deep Roy – the actor raps about ambition and recounts an amusing story about Eastbound & Down
Alex Ross Talks Early Art – the artist talks about Flash Gordon and the many pieces of art he created for it from childhood to modern day
Tell Me More About the This Man Houdini – actor Rich Fuller and Jason Lenzi, founder of toy brand Bif Bang Pow, discuss a scene from Flash Gordon
Comic Con early draft – A featurette looking at the phenomenon that is Comic Con, featuring interviews with attendees and a host of regular talent including Sam J. Jones, Rich Fulton, Jason Mewes, Michael Rooker, Claudia Wells, and more
Interview with Lisa Downs – the director of Life After Flash explores her motivation to make the film and experiences during the production
Life After Flash on the Road – a variety of featurettes on the film travelling to various festivals and production including Q&A excerpts with the Flash Gordon cast, behind-the-scenes footage, Kickstarter funding video
Trailer
ULTRA HD 4K:
DIRECTOR-APPROVED SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS:
Brand new 4K restoration by Studiocanal from the original camera negative approved by director Mike Hodges
4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
Optional 5.1 and 2.0 stereo DTS-HD Master audio
Archival audio commentary with Mike Hodges
Archival audio commentary with Brian Blessed
Interviews with actors Sam J. Jones, Melody Anderson, Brian Blessed, Queen icon Brian May, composer Howard Blake, and poster designer Renato Casaro
Behind the Scenes of Flash Gordon – an archival documentary on the making of the film
Archival interviews with Mike Hodges, screenwriter Lorenzo Semple Jr., comic book artist Alex Ross
Lost in Space: Nic Roeg’s Flash Gordon – a new documentary program exploring the version Roeg (The Man Who Fell to Earth) had originally planned to make with producer Dino De Laurentiis
Gremlin’s Finest Hour – an episode from the animated Flash Gordon TV show written by J. Michael Reaves from November 1982
Deleted scenes and original endings – prop collector Bob Lindenmayer discusses dropped sequences and sequel ideas
35th Anniversary Greenroom featurette – Mike Hodges meets the cast for the first time since filming at the 35th anniversary reunion
35th Anniversary Reunion featurette – the cast and crew discuss Flash Gordon
Entertainment Earth on Flash Gordon merchandise
Storyboards gallery
Stills gallery
Original Trailer
Easter Eggs
Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Adam Rabalais
