One of the most notorious of the ‘video nasties’, Abel Ferrara’s exploitation-art-house crossover was judged almost entirely on its video artwork with the film itself left out of the equation. Now it gets the release it deserves with a stunning Limited Edition Steelbook from Arrow Video with the film fully uncut and in all its unnerving, stylish glory.

Director Abel Ferrara (Bad Lieutenant, Ms. 45, King of New York).

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In career that has encompassed such controversial classics as Ms. 45, Bad Lieutenant and Welcome to New York, none of Abel Ferrara’s films have quite managed to match the shock, extremity and downright notorious nature of The Driller Killer.



Ferrara plays struggling artist Reno, a man pushed to the edge by the economic realities of New York living in the late seventies and the No Wave band practising in the apartment below. His grip on reality soon begins to slip and he takes to stalking the streets with his power tool in search of prey…

One of the most infamous ‘video nasties’, in part thanks to its drill-in-head sleeve, The Driller Killer has lost none of its power to unnerve and is presented here fully uncut.

Never before has a film been so misunderstood! The exploitative title and video artwork gave the impression of a gore-filled splatter flick but the reality is a much more creeping, stylish psychological thriller examining a man pushed right to the edge and over into violence. Yes, there is gore but not, perhaps, in the way you were expecting.

Abel Ferrara directed himself as Reno, a man who becomes obsessed with the idea of killing people with the titular power tool and eventually carries out his fantasies to unleash his rage. Shocking and unnerving, his rampage is still as difficult to watch as ever and is shown here in its entirety. It makes for uncomfortable viewing but is fascinating as the feature film debut of a director who would go on to become one of America’s most interesting auteurs.

The Arrow Video release of The Driller Killer, really is a joy for horror and exploitation fans with its stunning Steelbook presentation, and gorgeous high definition restoration of the film itself. There are several never-before-seen special features including a brand new commentary by Ferrara - exclusive to this release, as well as a new interview with him and a new visual essay on his career. The release also includes Mulberry St. for the first time ever on UK home video, Ferrara’s 2010 feature-length documentary portrait of the New York location that has played a key role in his life and work.

“Abel Ferrara's debut is in the exploitation ballpark, but it's as much a product of Warhol low-budget artiness as the slasher genre.” Empire

STEELBOOK:
DIRECTOR-APPROVED SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS

• Limited Edition SteelBook featuring original artwork (2,500 copies)
• Brand new 4K restoration from the original camera negative of the never-before-seen pre-release version and the theatrical cut
• High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentations in both 1.85:1 and 1.37:1 aspect ratios
• Original Uncompressed Mono PCM audio
• Audio commentary by director and star Abel Ferrara, moderated by Brad Stevens (author of Abel Ferrara: The Moral Vision) and recorded exclusively for this release
• Laine and Abel: An Interview with the Driller Killer, a brand-new interview with Ferrara
• Willing and Abel: Ferraraology 101, a new visual essay guide to the films and career of Ferrara by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, author of Cultographies: Ms. 45
• Mulberry St., Ferrara’s feature-length 2010 documentary portrait of the New York location that has played a key role in his life and work, available on home video in the UK for the first time ever
• Trailer
• Collector’s booklet featuring new writing by Michael Pattison and Brad Stevens

UK AMARAY:
DIRECTOR-APPROVED SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS

• Brand new 4K restoration from the original camera negative of the never-before-seen pre-release version and the theatrical cut
• High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentations in both 1.85:1 and 1.37:1 aspect ratios
• Original Uncompressed Mono PCM audio
• Audio commentary by director and star Abel Ferrara, moderated by Brad Stevens (author of Abel Ferrara: The Moral Vision) and recorded exclusively for this release
• Laine and Abel: An Interview with the Driller Killer, a brand-new interview with Ferrara
• Willing and Abel: Ferraraology 101, a new visual essay guide to the films and career of Ferrara by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, author of Cultographies: Ms. 45
• Mulberry St., Ferrara’s feature-length 2010 documentary portrait of the New York location that has played a key role in his life and work, available on home video in the UK for the first time ever
• Trailer
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by the Twins of Evil

FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Collector’s booklet featuring new writing by Michael Pattison and Brad Stevens

Release date: 28/11/16
Region: All
Duration: 96 mins
Language: English
Subtitles: English SDH
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Audio: Mono 1.0
Discs: 2
Colour


Steelbook

Steelbook UK Cat No: FCD1332
Steelbook UK Barcode: 5027035015002
Steelbook RRP: £24.99


Dual format Ammaray

Dual UK Cat No: FCD1383
Dual UK Barcode: 5027035015514
Dual Format: £19.99


Directed by: Abel Ferrara
Starring: Abel Ferrara, Carolyn Manz, Baybi Day