In the biggest and most diverse EUROCRYPT yet, explore 6 feature films that further define Sir Christopher Lee as one of the most iconic actors of all time. The teensploitation classic BEAT GIRL, in the Original Theatrical & Extended UK Cuts, stars Lee as the wolfish operator of a Soho strip club. Lee portrays a sleazy blackmailer in THE HANDS OF ORLAC, presented here in its separate French & UK Versions. Directed by Antonio Margheriti and starring Lee as a disfigured madman, The Worldwide UHD/Blu-ray Premiere of THE VIRGIN OF NUREMBERG is a 2-disc collection that sets new standards in Italian Gothic cruelty. ARABIAN ADVENTURE is director Kevin Connor’s all-star family adventure showcasing Lee as a dastardly Caliph. Lee is a menacing teacher at an exclusive boys boarding school in A FEAST AT MIDNIGHT, directed by Justin Hardy. With recollections by family, friends and Lee himself, THE LIFE AND DEATHS OF CHRISTOPHER LEE is a wildly unique documentary that reveals the screen legend like never before. Each film in this collection has been scanned from superior vault elements with 16 combined hours of Special Features and the 142-page book, Christopher Lee: Eight Decades of a Dark Horse by Jonathan Rigby.
For thoughts on The Eurocrypt of Christopher Lee Collection 3, please check out my thoughts on No Streaming Required:
Video Quality
The Eurocrypt of Christopher Lee Collection 3 arrives with six films spread over six Blu-Ray discs, along with a 4K UHD Blu-Ray disc for The Virgin of Nuremberg. These films share many of the same qualities, so I will mostly be judging them in groups while pointing out noticeable differences when necessary. All of the films have been presented in their original aspect ratios in their original and complete forms, and a couple of the films have alternate cuts in this set that you can read about below. Given the different sources, you can find an easy breakdown of each title below:
- Beat Girl: The Original Theatrical & Extended UK Cuts scanned in 4K by The British Film Institute
- The Hands of Orlac: The UK Cut scanned in 4K from the original camera negative by The British Film Institute and restored by Severin Films, the longer French Cut supplied by Rene Chateau Productions
- The Virgin of Nuremberg: Scanned uncut in 4K from the Interpositive
- Arabian Adventure: Scanned in 2K from the Original Camera Negative
- A Feast at Midnight: Scanned in 4K from the Original Camera Negative
- The Life and Deaths of Christopher Lee: HD Master
The fact that Severin has not only rescued these somewhat forgotten films from obscurity but has also given them such carefully handled presentations makes us love them all the more. The remastering work is shown to be top-tier across these films, and it is obvious that the source elements available were of a higher quality. Print damage has been cleaned up significantly, with any fleeting blemishes difficult to catch. Even with different cuts presented, each source proves to be consistently solid. These transfers retain the natural film grain of the source without signs of digital tinkering to smooth over the details. The grain presents as organic rather than overwhelmingly noisy, which allows for greater nuance to the image. Overall clarity and detail are incredible with subtle facial features easily noticeable in close-up.
The films that are in color are well saturated with distinct hues popping off the screen when it comes to environments and clothing. Black levels are deep and hold up well with crush not serving as a significant issue. Skin tones appear to be natural and consistent. Some differences are worth noting, such as The Life and Deaths of Christopher Lee is a newer documentary that brings together a mixture of different footage to represent the many facets of the artist. Each source seems to be from the best available elements, and everything looks quite good overall. There is also the lone 4K UHD Blu-Ray release in the set with The Virgin of Nuremberg. The 4K UHD disc improves upon the already lovely Blu-Ray disc from the same master, mostly due to the use of HDR10 to refine the colors with more pinpoint precision and improve upon the black levels and highlights. Severin has done marvelous work with this collection.
Audio Quality
This set presents all of the films with DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio Mono tracks with the original audio appropriate for the cut being viewed, except for The Life and Deaths of Christopher Lee, which delivers a DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio track. The audio quality across this set remains on par with the video side of things, meaning audiences will have a pleasurable listening experience free of major source deficiencies. Dialogue is the star of each outing, with a presentation that is clear and easily distinguishable without serious signs of crackling or any muffled exchanges. These films are usually accompanied by some memorable sound effects in the mix that buoy the enjoyment. The score for each film showcases a strong fidelity while sidestepping most age-related wear and tear at the highest amplitudes. Severin has handled these with great care, and fans will be thrilled by the results. All the films included in this set have optional English SDH subtitles provided.
Special Features
The Eurocrypt of Christopher Lee Collection 3 includes the 142-page book, Christopher Lee: Eight Decades of a Dark Horse by Jonathan Rigby. This provides great insight into Christopher Lee and his amazing career. The on-disc special features are as follows:
Beat Girl
- Theatrical Cut (1:27:45) and Extended Cut (1:33:49)
- Audio Commentary (Extended Cut Only): Christopher Lee Biographer Jonathan Rigby and Hammer Historian Kevin Lyons
- Interview with Actress Gillian Hills: A 26-minute interview with the actress in which she reflects on where she was in her career during this time, bonds that she formed during the production, her feelings about her performance, the promotion of the movie, and more.
- London After Dark: The Sinful Soho Of The Sixties – An Exploration By David Flint, Author Of Babylon Blue: An Illustrated History Of Adult Cinema: A 44-minute visual essay that explores the social changes happening during the ‘60s in London, the perception of sexuality and obscenity, and more.
- Trailer (1:36)
The Hands of Orlac
- French Cut (1:43:24) and UK Cut (1:35:05)
- Audio Commentary (French Cut Only): Christopher Lee Biographer Jonathan Rigby and Hammer Historian Kevin Lyons
- Hand Scare: A Portrait Of French Writer Maurice Renard – Interview with Merveilleux-Scientifique Specialist Fleur Hopkins-Loféron: A 28-minute interview with the expert in which she reflects on the writer behind the story that inspired the film, the concept of transporting his readers through changing one pivotal thing about the known world, and more.
- Locations of Orlac: A seven-minute look at locations from the film then and now.
- Trailer (2:15)
The Virgin of Nuremberg
- Audio Commentary: Mondo Digital’s Nathaniel Thompson and Troy Howarth, Author of So Deadly, So Perverse
- Margheriti’s Horror Castle – Interview with Director Antonio Margheriti: A four-minute interview with the filmmaker in which he reflects on the film, what he was trying to accomplish, the very quick production, and more.
- In The Iron Maiden – Interview with Film Historian Fabio Melelli and Screenwriter Ernesto Gastaldi with Audio Excerpts From Antonio Margheriti: A 20-minute interview in which the participants discuss The Virgin of Nuremberg, the themes of the movie, and more.
- Trailer (3:08)
Arabian Adventure
- Audio Commentary: Director Kevin Connor Moderated by Severin Films’ David Gregory
- The Princess Adventure – Interview With Actress Emma Samms: A nearly ten-minute interview with the actress in which she reflects on what led her to acting, landing the role in the film, how she tried to prepare for the production, her love of director Kevin Connor, he thoughts on her character, and more.
- Arabian Adventurer – Interview With Actor Puneet Sira: A 19-minute interview in which he discusses how he got into performing, his exposure to western culture, memories of other performers, and more.
- Arabian Zoom – Virtual Reunion Between Kevin Connor, Emma Samms And Puneet Sira: A nearly eight-minute piece in which the two stars reconnect in person and chat with the director over Zoom.
- The Many Faces of Christopher Lee: An hour-long documentary from 1996 that explores the life and career of Christopher Lee.
- Trailer #1 (1:39)
- Trailer #2 (2:54)
A Feast at Midnight
- Audio Commentary: Co-Writer/Director Justin Hardy and Co-Writer/Producer Yoshi Nishio
- Trailer (2:29)
The Life and Deaths of Christopher Lee
- Audio Commentary: Director Jon Spira and Producer Hank Starrs
- BFI Q&A With Jon Spira, Hank Starrs And Christopher Lee Biographer Jonathan Rigby: A 20-minute Q&A in which the creative team discusses the reason for making the film, what they learned during the process, memories of Christopher Lee, and more.
- Extended Interviews
- Juan Aneiro (12:26)
- Gary Curtis (13:31)
- Joe Dante (16:50)
- Peter Jackson (18:07)
- John Landis (16:02)
- Paul Maslansky (12:57)
- Harriet Walter (12:56)
- Trailer (2:39)
Final Thoughts
The Eurocrypt of Christopher Lee Collection 3 is another terrific set of curiosities from a versatile icon who always elevated anything he was in with his mere presence. The wonderful thing about this set is the range of genres you are able to explore, which makes each viewing feel especially fresh. Sure, you have more horror-tinged material like The Virgin of Nuremberg, but you also have fun family fare like A Feast at Midnight that is a pleasant discovery. The point of this set is to find the titles that may have slipped through the cracks and give them as loving a presentation as anything else the label has released. Severin has bundled these six films together into a collection featuring exceptional A/V presentations and some essential special features. It is a true treasure trove that fans of the actor should not miss. Highly Recommended
The Eurocrypt of Christopher Lee Collection 3 is currently available to purchase on 4K UHD + Blu-Ray.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD + Blu-Ray box set.
Disclaimer: Severin has supplied a copy of this set free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.
