Criterion Collection Creepy Classic October Releases

This October, Spirit Entertainment, in collaboration with The Criterion Collection, is set to delight horror fans with the release of two seminal films, Night of the Living Dead and a double feature of I Walked with a Zombie and The Seventh Victim. These releases promise to offer a fresh perspective on classic horror with pristine 4K restorations and an array of special features that delve into the making and legacy of these groundbreaking films.

Night of the Living Dead: A Landmark in Independent Cinema

Directed by the legendary George A. Romero, Night of the Living Dead will be available in a new 4K UHD restoration on 7th October. Shot on a modest budget just outside Pittsburgh, this 1968 masterpiece became a midnight hit and a box-office sensation, fundamentally altering the horror genre. The film’s simple yet gripping plot follows a group of strangers trapped in a farmhouse as they fend off an onslaught of flesh-eating ghouls. Romero’s claustrophobic depiction of 1960s America, combined with his pioneering use of gore and social commentary, makes this film as relevant today as it was over half a century ago.

The 4K UHD + Blu-ray Special Edition is packed with features including:

• A new 4K digital restoration supervised by George A. Romero, John A. Russo, Gary R. Streiner, and Russell W. Streiner.
• Restored monaural soundtrack presented uncompressed.
• Commentary tracks featuring Romero and key cast members.
• The work-print edit, Night of Anubis.
• Filmmaker programs and interviews, including insights from Frank Darabont, Guillermo del Toro, and Robert Rodriguez.
• Archival interviews and newsreels from 1967.
• A comprehensive essay by critic Stuart Klawans.

I Walked with a Zombie / The Seventh Victim: Haunting Visions from Val Lewton

Following on 14th October, Criterion releases a double feature of I Walked with a Zombie and The Seventh Victim, two atmospheric horror gems from the mind of producer Val Lewton. These films, directed by Jacques Tourneur and Mark Robson respectively, are celebrated for their sophisticated approach to horror, focusing on mood and psychological depth over traditional monster scares.

I Walked with a Zombie transports viewers to a Caribbean island where a young nurse encounters the eerie remnants of colonial history and voodoo practices. This film is lauded for its poetic visuals and dreamlike quality, elevating it to a classic of the genre.

The Seventh Victim introduces audiences to a shadowy world of devil worship in New York’s Greenwich Village. The film’s exploration of depression and existential dread remains strikingly modern, with a narrative that continues to haunt viewers.

The 4K UHD + Blu-ray Special Features include:

• New 4K digital restorations of both films.
• Uncompressed monaural soundtracks.
• Commentaries by authors Kim Newman, Stephen Jones, and film historian Steve Haberman.
• Interviews with film critic Imogen Sara Smith and audio essays from Adam Roche’s podcast The Secret History of Hollywood.
• The documentary Shadows in the Dark: The Val Lewton Legacy, featuring insights from Guillermo del Toro, John Landis, Neil Gaiman, and more.
• Essays by critics Chris Fujiwara and Lucy Sante, complemented by new illustrations by Katherine Lam.

Both releases will be available for purchase from HMV, Amazon, Zavvi, and Rarewaves, offering collectors and new viewers alike the opportunity to own these meticulously restored horror classics.

As October approaches, these Criterion Collection releases promise a particularly spooky viewing experience in the run-up to Halloween. Why not celebrate these key moments in horror hostory with these beautifully restored editions?

Night of the Living Dead trailer