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S E A R C H    D V D B e a v e r

(aka "I Don't Want to Be Born" or "The Devil Within Her" or "The Monster" or "Sharon's Baby" or "It Lives Within Her" )

 

directed by Peter Sasdy
UK 1975

 

Joan Collins gives an instantly memorable performance as a stripper cursed by a dwarf to give birth to a demonic child in this classic '70s exploitation horror directed by Hammer/Amicus veteran Peter Sasdy. Co-starring Eileen Atkins, Ralph Bates, Donald Pleasence and Caroline Munro, The Monster (aka I Don't Want to be Born) is featured here as a brand-new High Definition remaster from original film elements in its original theatrical aspect ratio.

There's something wrong with Lucy and Gino's little boy... born with what seems to be abnormal strength and an innate hatred of people, he appears to enjoy inflicting injury on others. Doctors are baffled, but a nun is convinced that the baby is possessed. Then events take such a murderous turn that few can afford to ignore the nun's warnings!

***

Hollywood legend Joan Collins teams up with cult stars Donald Pleasence and Caroline Munro in this terrifying tale of a demonic baby! Lucy (Collins) is a former dancer, having moved up in the world via marriage to the wealthy Gino Carlesi (Ralph Bates) and now comfortably settled down. Lucy is expecting and when the time comes, she goes to the hospital to give birth to the baby. It proves to be a protracted, dangerous and painful delivery as the baby is a hefty 12-pounder. The new-born infant is no ordinary baby, either, as it slashes Lucy open leaving the womb. The baby soon attacks the nanny, demolishes the nursery, and likely had a hand in the mysterious death of a nurse. Gino's sister Albana (Eileen Atkins), a nun, arrives from her convent in Italy to visit her new nephew and immediately sees that all is not well. She suspects that the killer baby is the actual spawn of Satan! As the devil baby continues its murderous rampage and the body count rises, will anyone be able to stop The Devil Within Her? Also starring Donald Pleasence, Caroline Munro and John Steiner, The Devil Within Her is a terrifying tale that will have you gasping in horror.

***

Former stripper Lucy Carlesi (Joan Collins, QUEST FOR LOVE) gives birth to Nicholas, an unusually strong child who scratches the new mother the first time she picks him up. When she and her husband Gino (Ralph Bates, LUST FOR A VAMPIRE) return home, things get worse. The child bites the housekeeper Mrs. Hyde (Hilary Mason, DON'T LOOK NOW) and tries to drown nanny Jill (Janet Key, THE VAMPIRE LOVERS), and demolishes his nursery. Lucy is convinced that the child hates her while Gino confides in the child's doctor Finch (Donald Pleasance, HALLOWEEN) who believes that Lucy is stressed and that Nicholas may possibly have a genetic condition. Since Lucy and Gino have healthy family backgrounds, Lucy suspects that the child may actually have been fathered by strip-club owner Tommy (John Steiner, SALON KITTY) and that the aggression has a supernatural cause since her spurned midget partner Hercules (George Claydon, BERSERK) cursed her to have a child possessed by the devil. When the nanny mysteriously dies, Lucy's nerves are shot and Gino's nun sister Albana (Eileen Atkins, EQUUS) convinces him to let the child go into hospital for observation while he takes Lucy on vacation in Italy. When Gino also disappears, Albana breaks out the bible and the crucifix for the obligatory exorcism.

Excerpt from Eric Cotenas review located HERE

Posters

Theatrical Release: April 1975 (Paris Festival of Fantastic Films)

Reviews                                                                                                       More Reviews                                                                                       DVD Reviews

 

Comparison:

Scorpion Releasing - Region 'A' - Blu-ray vs. Network (UK) - Region 'B' - Blu-ray

Box Cover

 

Bonus Captures:

Distribution Scorpion Releasing - Region 'A' - Blu-ray Network (UK) - Region 'B' - Blu-ray
Runtime 1:33:52.668         1:33:55.000
Video

1.78:1 1080P Single-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 22,964,997,096 bytes

Feature: 20,070,764,544 bytes

Video Bitrate: 24.96 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

1.66:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 29,576,690,699 bytes

Feature: 21,024,215,040 bytes

Video Bitrate: 24.97 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.

Bitrate Scorpion Releasing Blu-ray:

Bitrate Network (UK) Blu-ray:

Audio DTS-HD Master Audio English 2059 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2059 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)

LPCM Audio English 1536 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1536 kbps / 16-bit
Commentary:

LPCM Audio English 1536 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1536 kbps / 16-bit

Subtitles None English, None
Features

Release Information:
Studio: Scorpion Releasing

1.78:1 1080P Single-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 22,964,997,096 bytes

Feature: 20,070,764,544 bytes

Video Bitrate: 24.96 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

Edition Details:

• New Interview with Caroline Munro (27:56)
• Interview with John Steiner (15:51)
• Watch in "Katarina's Nightmare Theater" mode (3:52)

• Theatrical Trailer (1:02)
Reversible Cover


Blu-ray
Release Date: March 2018
Transparent
Blu-ray Case

Chapters 16

Release Information:
Studio:
Network (UK)

 

1.66:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 29,576,690,699 bytes

Feature: 21,024,215,040 bytes

Video Bitrate: 24.97 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

Edition Details:

• Brand-new audio commentary from the cult Second Features podcast team
• Peter Sasdy's Baby (23:30)
• The Excisist (10:14)
• Holding the Baby (14:29)
• Theatrical trailer (2:34)
• Alternative I Don't Want to be Born titles (3:39)
• Image gallery
• Limited edition booklet written by Adrian Smith


Blu-ray Release Date:
October 11th, 2021
Transparent Blu-ray Case

Chapters 12

 

 

Comments:

NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Network (UK) Blu-ray (December 2021): Network (UK) have also transferred Peter Sasdy's The Monster (among many other titles) to Blu-ray. The 1.78:1 Scorpion Releasing 1080P is said to be from a "New 2017 scan of the original IP". The 1.66:1 Network is cited as "a brand-new High Definition remaster from original film elements in its original theatrical aspect ratio." Aside from the aspect ratios, there are some other notable differences with the images of the two Blu-rays despite the similar bitrates. The Scorpion has bolder colors, with the Network being somewhat paler. I actually don't mind the latter presentation which seems a bit cleaner (color flecks in the Scorpion - se the nurse's close-up face below.) The US image is darker but has richer, possibly embellished colors. Both support a degree of grain and are generally consistent throughout.    

NOTE: We have added 66 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Network (UK) use a linear PCM mono track (16-bit), while Scorpion use a DTS-HD Master - both in dual-mono and both in the original English language. The Monster has few aggressive infant screams - that do sound demonic - and they come through with depth on both tracks. The score is by Ron Grainer (Station Six Sahara, Night Must Fall, Doctor Who theme, The Prisoner theme, To Sir with Love, The Omega Man etc.) sounding clean if less remarkable. Network (UK) offer optional English subtitles on their Region 'B' Blu-ray. The Scorpion has no subtitles offered.

The Network (UK) Blu-ray offers a new commentary by Second Features podcast with Dr. Laura Mayne and Dr. Adrian Smith. They are having fun enjoying the details of the film with some laughter, questioning the many names of the film, Joan Collins as a stripper, how Pleasence always escalates a film and making note of some of the weaker aspects of the script. Network includes brand-new interviews with director Peter Sasdy, editor Keith Palmer and continuity supervisor Renιe Glynne plus a brief time with wardrobe supervisor Brenda Dabbs. The Scorpion has an interview with Caroline Munro for almost 1/2 hour and John Steiner (Tommy Morris in the film.) Included are the superfluous "Katarina's Nightmare Theater" mode, a theatrical trailer and it has a reversible cover. The Network also has a theatrical trailer, alternative I Don't Want to be Born title sequence, an image gallery and the package has a limited edition booklet written by Adrian Smith. In the root of the Network disc are a folder with the script and poster with the film's synopsis - both in PDF format. Network handily wins on the extras.

Peter Sasdy's The Monster doesn't live up to its premis or salacious alternate-titles. It also is a letdown considering it has such a strong cast with Joan Collins, (always slinky but remembered as wholesome Edith Keeler,) Eileen Atkins (Cold Mountain), Ralph Bates, Donald Pleasence (The Great Escape to Fantastic Voyage to You Only Live Twice), Caroline Munro (At the Earth's Core,) Hilary Mason (who can forget her in Nicolas Roeg's Don't Look Now) etc. But it just ends up stealing conceptually from Rosemary's Baby and The Exorcist. A shame about the film not achieving its potential but the new Network Blu-ray package has the light commentary, booklet and four new interviews. The Scorpion Releasing has decent extras as well with two interviews and the reversible sleeve (see below). It's a film I am always seem to throw on every once in a while - despite it lacking in many areas and generally underachieving. I'd endorse the Network (UK) Blu-ray over the Scorpion but region-locking and price may make that decision for you.

Gary Tooze

 


Menus / Extras

 

Scorpion Releasing - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

 

Network (UK) - Region 'B' - Blu-ray


CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION

 

 Subtitle Sample - Network (UK) - Region 'B' - Blu-ray

 


1) Scorpion Releasing - Region 1 - NTSC TOP

2) Scorpion Releasing - Region 'A' - Blu-ray MIDDLE

3) Network (UK) - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 


1) Scorpion Releasing - Region 'A' - Blu-ray TOP

2) Network (UK) - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 


1) Scorpion Releasing - Region 'A' - Blu-ray TOP

2) Network (UK) - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 


1) Scorpion Releasing - Region 'A' - Blu-ray TOP

2) Network (UK) - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


 

More full resolution (1920 X 1080) Network Blu-ray Captures for DVDBeaver Patreon Supporters HERE

 

 

 
Box Cover

 

Bonus Captures:

Distribution Scorpion Releasing - Region 'A' - Blu-ray Network (UK) - Region 'B' - Blu-ray


 


 

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