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http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/direct-chair/Tourneur.htm
UK 19
57

 

One of the finest thrillers made in England during the '50s, despite the fact that the final cut was tampered with against the director's wishes. Tourneur had used MR James's short story Casting the Runes as the basis for a marvellous cinematic dialogue between belief and skepticism, fantasy and reality. His intrepid rational hero (Andrews) is a modern scientist who is gradually persuaded that his life is threatened by a black magician. The director employed a number of enormously skilful devices to ensure that the audience experiences the hero's transition from confident skepticism to panic, and the process is observed with such subtlety that, in the original version at least, the interpretation of the plot was left open (i.e. the hero may simply be the victim of a conspiracy and/or his own imagination). The producer decided that the film lacked substance (in fact it was far more terrifying than most horror films), and added special effects of the 'demon' very near the beginning, which of course missed the whole point of what Tourneur had been attempting. Even so, the rest is so good that the film remains immensely gripping, with certain sequences (like the one where Andrews is chased through the wood) reaching poetic dimensions.

Excerpt from TimeOut Film Guide located HERE

 

  Posters

Theatrical Release: February 28th, 1958

Reviews                                                                          More Reviews                                                                   DVD Reviews

 

Comparison:

Columbia Tri-Star - Region 1,2,3,4 - NTSC vs. Wild Side Video - Region Free- Blu-ray vs. Indicator - Region Free- Blu-ray

 

1) Columbia - Region 1,2,3,4 - NTSC - LEFT

2) Wild Side Video - Region FREE - Blu-ray - MIDDLE

3) Indicator - Region FREE - Blu-ray - RIGHT

 

Box Covers

 

Also available in Germany on Blu-ray:

 

Distribution Columbia Tri-Star  Pictures - Region 1,2,3,4 - NTSC Wild Side Video
Region Free -
Blu-ray
Indicator
Region Free -
Blu-ray
Runtime 1:35:39 and 1:21:36  1:35:51.746 and 1:21:48.528 

Disc One:

1:35:45.781 / 1:36:03.215 / 1:35:22.049 / 1:35:39.567 

Disc Two: 1:22:05.253 / 1:21:43.148

Video 1.66:1 Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 5.5 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s

Night of the Demon

1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 45,849,160,339 bytes

Feature: 24,799,186,944 bytes

Video Bitrate: 29.96 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

Curse of the Demon

Feature: 19,959,496,704 bytes

Video Bitrate: 29.96 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

Disc One (96-minite versions)

1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 46,868,742,180 bytes

1.66:1 Night of the Demon: 22,162,667,520 bytes

1.75:1 Night of the Demon: 23,511,253,632 bytes

1.66:1 Curse of the Demon (US Reissue): 22,073,092,800 bytes

1.75:1 Curse of the Demon (UK Reissue): 23,385,888,576 bytes

Video Bitrate: 27.98 / 29.91 / 27.94 / 29.87 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

Disc 2 (Theatrical Cuts)

Disc Size: 47,929,299,792 bytes

UK Feature: 24,133,685,568 bytes

US Feature: 24,013,671,936 bytes

Video Bitrate: 34.96 / 34.94 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

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

Bitrate:

Bitrate: Night of the Demon Blu-ray

Bitrate: Curse of the Demon Blu-ray

Bitrate: Curse of the Demon 1.66:1 Blu-ray

Bitrate: Indicator Curse of the Demon 1.75:1 Blu-ray

Bitrate: Indicator Night of the Demon 1.66:1 Blu-ray

Bitrate: Indicator Night of the Demon 1.75:1 Blu-ray

Bitrate: Indicator UK Theatrical Night of the Demon Blu-ray

Bitrate: Indicator US Theatrical Night of the Demon Blu-ray

Audio English (Dolby Digital 2.0) 

Night of the Demon

DTS-HD Master Audio French 1642 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1642 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 16-bit)
DTS-HD Master Audio English 933 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 933 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 16-bit)

Curse of the Demon

DTS-HD Master Audio English 933 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 933 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 16-bit)

DTS-HD Master Audio English 1077 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 1077 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 1.0 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 24-bit)
Commentary:

Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps

Isolated Score:

DTS-HD Master Audio 1082 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 1082 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 1.0 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 24-bit)
 

Subtitles English, Japanese, French, None French, None English (SDH), None
Features

Release Information:
Studio: Columbia Tri-Star Home Video

Aspect Ratio:
Original Aspect Ratio 1.66:1

Edition Details:

• Trailers for Fright Night and The Bride

DVD Release Date: August 13th, 2002

Keep Case
Chapters: 28

Release Information:
Studio:
Wild Side Video

 

Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1
 

Night of the Demon

1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 45,849,160,339 bytes

Feature: 24,799,186,944 bytes

Video Bitrate: 29.96 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

Curse of the Demon

Feature: 19,959,496,704 bytes

Video Bitrate: 29.96 Mbps

 

Edition Details: (PAL DVD included)
• Night of the Demon (1:31:54)
• Internet Link to WildSide website

• 146-page Book with 100's of photos and text in French only
 

Blu-ray Release Date: November 27th, 2013
Custom Blu-ray Case with book

Chapters 18

Release Information:
Studio:
Indicator

 

Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1 / 1.75:1
 

Night of the Demon

1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 45,849,160,339 bytes

Feature: 24,799,186,944 bytes

Video Bitrate: 29.96 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

Curse of the Demon

Feature: 19,959,496,704 bytes

Video Bitrate: 29.96 Mbps

 

Edition Details:
• Audio commentary with film historian Tony Earnshaw, author of Beating the Devil: The Making of 'Night of the Demon'

• Speak of the Devil: The Making of 'Night of the Demon' (2007, 20:04 mins): a documentary featuring actor Peggy Cummins and production designer Ken Adam
• Cloven in Two (2018, 22:40 mins): a video essay exploring the different versions

• "Christopher Frayling: The Devil's in the Detail" (2018, 35:58 mins): Christopher Frayling discusses the film and Ken Adam
• "Chris Fujiwara: Horrors Unseen" (2018, 27:06 mins): an interview with Chris Fujiwara, author of Jacques Tourneur: The Cinema of Nightfall
• "Kim Newman: Sinister Signs" (2018, 20:32 mins): an analysis by Kim Newman, author of Nightmare Movies
• "Ramsey Campbell: Under the Spell" (2018, 18:21 mins): a personal appreciation by horror writer Ramsey Campbell
"Scott MacQueen: The Devil Gets His Due" (2018, 22:51 mins): Scott MacQueen details the film s release history
"Roger Clarke: The Truth of Alchemy" (2018, 21:45 mins): a discussion of M R James by author Roger Clarke
• "David Huckvale: The Devil in Music" (2018, 10:53 mins): David Huckvale on composer Clifton Parker
• "Scott MacQueen: A Note of Fear" (2018, 09:58 mins): Scott MacQueen discusses aspects of the film s score
Archival Material:
• Hal E Chester at the Manchester Festival of Fantastic Films (1996, 51:04 mins): a rare archival video interview with the producer
• Dana Andrews on 'Night of the Demon' (1972, 09:24 mins): a rare audio interview with the actor conducted by film historian and preservationist Scott MacQueen
• Casting the Runes (1984, 52:50 mins): an audio recording of Michael Hordern reading M R James original story
• Escape: 'Casting the Runes' (1947, 29:17 mins): a radio adaptation of the story
• Super 8 version (06:35 mins): original cut-down home cinema presentation
• Isolated music & effects track
• Original theatrical trailer (02:16)
• Image gallery: promotional and production material
• Limited Edition exclusive 80-page book containing a new essay by Kat Ellinger, M R James on ghost stories, extensive writing on the film and its history, archival materials, and film credits
• Limited Edition double-sided poster
• Limited Edition box set of 10,000 numbered copies
 

Blu-ray Release Date: October 22nd, 2018
Custom Blu-ray Case with book

Chapters 18

 

Comments:

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

ADDITION: Indicator - Region Free - Blu-ray (December 2018): Firstly, this is the most comprehensive set of these two films and their varied versions. On the first Blu-ray we get the original full-length pre-release version of Night of the Demon, the US reissue version of Curse of the Demon and 2K BFI restoration presentations at 1.75:1 and HD remaster presentations at 1.66:1 (seamlessly-branched). On the second Blu-ray we get the original UK theatrical cut of Night of the Demon and the original US theatrical cut Curse of the Demon HD remasters at 1.66:1 (also seamlessly-branched). Confused yet? That's six versions in any which-way you could desire on two dual-layered Blu-rays. I prefer the UK Theatrical cut but it may be out of a fondness for my multiple viewings of that version. Quality doesn't vary extensively (we've compared only two sequences below with the previous versions - and others within this set) with high-ish bitrates all are excellent in-motion with highly pleasing contrast layering - no where near as brittle as the Wild Side 1080P - far more film-like. Grain is evident and I don't doubt these are accurate representations of the best sources available.

Simon from our FB Group says : "The theatrical versions on the 2nd disc seem the best quality with impressive sharpness & detail but lack the excellent scene with the country family of the "murderer" that's in the restored versions, of which the 1.66:1 UK is the best & with the single commentary track on any of the versions." (Thanks Simon!)

Audio is lossless for both films in a DTS-HD Master HD in 1.0 channel mono (24-bit) and effects centre around the beautiful score is by prolific composer Clifton Parker (Scream of Fear, Sink the Bismark, The Teckman Mystery etc.) discussed in the extras by Scott MacQueen. These are optional English (SDH) subtitles fro all versions on these two Region FREE Blu-rays.

As well as having the option of an isolated score for the theatrical cuts, Indicator has given us a many more extras. Starting off, we have an audio commentary with film historian Tony Earnshaw, author of Beating the Devil: The Making of 'Night of the Demon'  for the first Blu-ray (long versions. ) "Speak of the Devil: The Making of 'Night of the Demon'" is a 20-minute documentary featuring actor Peggy Cummins and production designer Ken Adam. "Cloven in two" is a 23-minute video essay exploring the different versions of the film. "Hal E Chester at the Manchester Festival of Fantastic Films" is a rare archival video interview with the producer. Another rare interview is included here, with an audio interview with Dana Andrews. "Dana Andrews on 'Night of the Demon'" is a 10-minute affair wherein Andrews is interviewed by film historian and preservationist Scott MacQueen. "The Devil's in the Detail" is a 36-minute interview with Christopher Frayling discussing "Night of the Demon" and Ken Adam. "Horrors Unseen" is a 27-minute interview with Chris Fujiwara, author of Jacques Tourneur: The Cinema of Nightfall. "Sinister Signs" is a 21-minute analysis by genre aficionado Kim Newman, author of Nightmare Movies. "Under the Spell" is a 19-minute personal appreciation from horror writer Ramsey Campbell. "The Devil Gets His Due" is a 23-minute piece with Scott MacQueen detailing the film's release history. "The Truth of Alchemy" is a 22-minute discussion of M.R. James by the author Roger Clarke. "The Devil in Music" is an 11-minute extra featuring David Huckvale discussing composer Clifton Parker. "A Note of Fear" has Scott MacQueen discussing aspects of the film's score for 10-minutes. "Casting the Runes" is a 53 minute audio recording of Michael Hordern reading M.R. James original story. "Escape: 'Casting the Runes'" is a 30-minute radio adaptation of the story from 1947. As Indicator has done in the past, they have included here the Super-8 version of the film. This 7-minute version of the film was a cut-down version originally meant for home cinema presentations, and is very cool to have here. Also on the Blu-ray is the original theatrical trailer, an image gallery featuring promotional and production material. This limited edition set also includes an exclusive 80-page book containing a new essay by Kat Ellinger, M R James on ghost stories, extensive writing on the film and its history, archival materials, and film credits. There is also a double-sided poster.

Night of the Demon just gets better with each viewing - Tourneur's mood-setting is brilliant and the pace builds suspense in dramatic and highly effective ways. It's a fascinating film and this totally stacked Indicator double Blu-ray set is the one to own. It has our highest recommendation - DON'T WAIT TILL IT GOES OUT-OF-PRINT!

***

ADDITION: Wild Side - Region Free - Blu-ray (December 2013): Firstly, the excellent news; not only is this Wild Side Blu-ray edition region FREE but the subtitles are removable (on my standard Oppo Blu-ray player) despite the menus insinuating, incorrectly, that you must have French subtitles when choosing English audio. I simply chose the English Audio option and chose 'no subtitles' with my remote's 'Subtitle' button. So, while I can't speak to all players - on my system the subtitles are removable when original English is chosen.

NOTE: This bodes very well for the French Blu-ray of Gun Crazy (review HERE) also with Peggy Cummins!

The 1080P image is wonderful - for both films - the shorter U.S. cut (Curse of the Demon) and the extended British cut of the film (Night of the Demon.) Visually the HD improves in every area over the SD - superior contrast, tighter detail, we may lose a sliver of information on the side edges but it remains in the original 1.66:1 aspect ratio. It has depth and is bright, exceptionally clean - it is thin and hints of digitization and maybe a shade glossy at times but darker scenes showcase nice grain textures - no noise. There may be a touch of digitization (minor edge-enhancement), but overall the video presentation is extremely pleasing. Both versions look about the same quality and have the same supportive bitrate sharing a dual-layered Blu-ray disc.

Audio is lossless for both films in a DTS-HD Master HD in 2.,0 channel - Night of the Demon has an optional French DUB but Curse of the Demon has only the English. I suspect that most, normal, Blu-ray players can also remove the French subtitles, via a remote, and I will state here that they are only imposed with sole use of the disc menu.

The French package has one Blu-ray disc (with both versions of the film - not seamlessly branched), one PAL region 2 DVD with the extended British cut of the film (under its original title, Night of the Demon) and a hefty 146-page book with 100's of beautiful photos of the film, production, promotion, posters etc. and essays in French (only).

Great. One of my favorite discs of the year. It has taken me a while to grow to appreciate this film - although, now each time I see it - it advances in my opinion (so typical of Tourneur's cinema). Super to have both editions, magnificent book (even if the text is only French) and a pleasing 1080P image and lossless audio. Absolutely recommended!

***

ON THE DVD: Columbia's dual-layered, progressive DVD offers both the lesser-seen shorter U.S. cut (Curse of the Demon) and the extended British cut of the film (under its original title, Night of the Demon).

Columbia Tri-star's early DVD work was usually competent - bordering on stellar - and this fits the former category quite nicely. There are some damage marks but the problematic 1.66 aspect ratio has been maintained. This is a good presentation with no extras save a couple of trailers. It is coded for regions 1 thru 4 in the NTSC standard. English, Japanese and French optional subtitles are offered.

These atmospheric film(s) were not an initial favorite of mine until the past couple of years, where my appreciation for Tourneur's oeuvre has subsequently grown in leaps and bounds. It is the type of subtle eye-catching cinema that I could find poignant and narrative-supporting screen captures of all day long. Strongly recommended!

Gary W. Tooze

 


DVD Menus


 

Wild Side Video PAL DVD included in Blu-ray package

 

 

Wild Side Video - Region FREE - Blu-ray

 

 

Indicator - Region FREE - Blu-ray One

 

 

Indicator - Region FREE - Blu-ray Two

 


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

 

Subtitle sample

 

1) Columbia - Region 1,2,3,4 - NTSC - TOP

2) Wild Side Video - Region FREE - Blu-ray - SECOND

3) Indicator 1.66:1 (Curse of the Demon) - Region FREE - Blu-ray - THIRD

4) Indicator 1.75:1 (Curse of the Demon) - Region FREE - Blu-ray - FOURTH

5) Indicator UK Theatrical (Night of the Demon) - Region FREE - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

6) Indicator US Theatrical (Night of the Demon) - Region FREE - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 

 

Screen Captures

 

1) Columbia - Region 1,2,3,4 - NTSC - TOP

2) Wild Side Video - Region FREE - Blu-ray - SECOND

3) Indicator 1.66:1 (Curse of the Demon) - Region FREE - Blu-ray - THIRD

4) Indicator 1.75:1 (Curse of the Demon) - Region FREE - Blu-ray - FOURTH

5) Indicator 1.66:1 Original (Night of the Demon) - Region FREE - Blu-ray - FIFTH

6) Indicator U1.75:1 (Night of the Demon) - Region FREE - Blu-ray - SIXTH

7) Indicator UK Theatrical (Night of the Demon) - Region FREE - Blu-ray - SEVENTH

8) Indicator US Theatrical (Night of the Demon) - Region FREE - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 


 

1) Columbia - Region 1,2,3,4 - NTSC - TOP

2) Wild Side Video - Region FREE - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 


 

1) Columbia - Region 1,2,3,4 - NTSC - TOP

2) Wild Side Video - Region FREE - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 


 

1) Columbia - Region 1,2,3,4 - NTSC - TOP

2) Wild Side Video - Region FREE - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 


 

1) Columbia - Region 1,2,3,4 - NTSC - TOP

2) Wild Side Video - Region FREE - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 


 

1) Columbia - Region 1,2,3,4 - NTSC - TOP

2) Wild Side Video - Region FREE - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 


 

1) Columbia - Region 1,2,3,4 - NTSC - TOP

2) Wild Side Video - Region FREE - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 

 


More Blu-ray Captures
 

Box Covers

 

Also available in Germany on Blu-ray:

 

Distribution Columbia Tri-Star  Pictures - Region 1,2,3,4 - NTSC Wild Side Video
Region Free -
Blu-ray
Indicator
Region Free -
Blu-ray

 




 

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Gary Tooze

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