Shivers [Blu-ray +Digital]

"Shivers" (a.k.a. They Came From Within) was legendary Canadian filmmaker David Cronenberg's 1975 feature film debut after his previous short films "Stereo" (1969) and "Crimes of the Future" (1970). "Shivers" sees Cronenberg already delving headlong into his signature brand of body horror in which parasites turn people in an apartment high rise into violent and sexually aggressive lunatics. Considering the miniscule budget the film was made for, it still represents a most assured and confident feature film debut for writer/director David Cronenberg. It also represented a huge turning point in moving away from traditional horror tropes into something much more unsettling and extreme that was also grounded in a much more naturalistic setting.Shivers had received a nice region B blu-ray release from Arrow Video back in 2014. That release though had problems due to the initial run of discs unknowingly contained the censored R rated version of the film which was missing 15 seconds of footage. This was corrected and replacement discs were offered with the unrated director's cut. David Cronenberg approved the transfer on the Arrow Video release which was restored by the Toronto International Film Festival.Lionsgate in 2020 as part of their Vestron Video Collector's Series gave "Shivers" its long overdue North American blu-ray release. Fans should be estastic with this release as it represents in my opinion the best blu-ray release of "Shivers" to date.The uncensored version of the film is presented on a dual layer disc in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio utilizing the AVC codec at a rock solid bit rate often staying in the upper 20's occasionally dipping into the low 30's. Nothing is mentioned on the back of the case of where this transfer originated, but I have seen online that it is the same restored master used for the 2014 Arrow Video release which does feature a higher bit rate. While the film has an intentionally soft focus look to it, detail on the 2020 release is solid with accurate colors, and natural flesh tones, along with decent contrast and black levels. No digital noise reduction or edge enhancement is visible. The film retains a well resolved and filmic grain structure. Overall I was very pleased with how "Shivers" looks on this release.Sound is presented in 2.0 channel English DTS-HD master audio. The mix sounded well balanced and clear with no hiss or pops. English subtitles are included for the hearing impaired.Extras are as follow:- NEW Audio Commentary featuring David Cronenberg moderated by Chris Alexander- NEW Audio Commentary featuring Co-Producer Don Carmody moderated by Chris Alexander- NEW Mind Over Matter: An Interview with David Cronenberg (HD 12:01)- NEW Good Night Nurse: An Interview with Lynn Lowry (HD 16:54)- NEW Outside and Within: An Interview with Joe Blasco (HD 12:55)- NEW Celebrating Cinepix: The Legacy of John Dunning (HD 10:05)- Archival David Cronenberg Interview from 1998 (SD 21:16)- Still Gallery with Optional Archival Commentary from John Dunning (HD 8:37)- TV Spots (HD 1:03)- Theatrical Trailers (HD 3:01)- Still Gallery (HD 8:01)- Radio Spots (2:17)Should you own the prior Arrow Video blu-ray release, hang onto it as several extras were not ported to the 2020 Vestron disc. I do feel though that the 2020 release has superior extras overall especially with the new Cronenberg commentary track though the addition of a moderator was unnecessary.While the older Arrow Video release does have a slightly better encode compared to the 2020 release, the differences are negligible. The Vestron Video Collector's Series blu-ray by Lionsgate is the most comprehensive release of "Shivers" to date in my opinion. Highly recommended!

Scanners gets all the attention. Personally this is my favorite from Cronenberg.Imagine Garth Ennis' The Crossed, and JG Ballards' High Rise , had a baby. It would be Shivers.

At this point in time I don’t see what all the fuss was about, Shivers is rather tame compared to other films currently making the rounds. The plot is severely limited to one idea that takes place in a high-rise. A genetically engineered parasite is being passed from person to person over the course of a single evening, turning them into sex-crazed loonies bent on infecting as many people as possible. The cast is populated with creepy looking people not at their best. It is a creepy film, one might even say grotesque. Filmed with a confusion of camera angles, out of focus shots, abrupt edits…all the finesse of a Cuisinart food processor. It is an unsettling film, raw and ragged about the edges but potent just the same. I liked it.

GREAT MOVIE, GREAT PRICE, FAST SHIPPING!!!!

The title says it all. I love this flick and I wanted to get it on disc but I didn't want to pay inflated eBay prices. So thank goodness for this new release with a ton of extras and looking better than ever. I loved it.

The past 5 years I started to really get into Dvaid Cronenberg's films and this is really a cool concept carried out well. It's definitely something that strictly belongs in the 70s and that's not a bad thing. Also, I like the cover. Great gift.

Did not come with a slipcover as pictured. Great movie though

This movie is hard to find in the US, especially on Blu Ray. I'm happy to report the copy with the Australian "18+ rating" sticker in the corner of the cover does work on my Xbox One. Playback is flawless.

This Blu-Ray disc is a must see/own for any Cronenberg fan. Disturbing, and funny, this film is truly one the greatest film ever produced in Canada. The Blu-Ray comes in beautiful slip-case with the lovely, and nostalgic Vestron logo. It is a true gem. You need this.

Un excelente producto, contiene:Audio-comentario de David Cronenberg y de Don CarmodyEntrevistasGaleríaCorto cinematográficoSpot televisivoSpots de radiotiene Audio original en inglés DTS-HD mono, subtítulos en español únicamente, imágen restaurada digitalmente una excelente pieza para la colección. El envío como siempre muy bueno.

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"Shivers - Parasiten-Mörder" ist ein Frühwerk von David Cronenberg, dessen Stilrichtung meistens als "Körperhorror" bezeichnet wird.Bereits in diesem 1975 entstandenen Film geht es um die Deformation des Körpers und um Angst vor dieser Veränderung. Auch eine Gesellschaftskritik lässt sich darin ablesen, vor allem dann, wenn man die Zeit berücksichtigt, in dem der Film gedreht wurde und eigentlich noch immer aktuell.Filmhistorisch kann man sogar annehmen, dass dieses kleine fiese Filmchen andere Regisseure zu ihren grossen Klassikern inspiriert hat: In seinem Aufbau erinnert er an George A. Romeros "Dawn of the Dead" und die Parasiten im Bauch übernahm Ridley Scott in seinem "Alien".Toronto in den 70ern: Schöner Wohnen ist angesagt im luxuriösen Starliner-Wohnkomplex. In diesem Nobel-Ghetto - etwas ausserhalb vom Stadtkern - wohnen die Reichen in abgeschiedener Ruhe vom Lärm der Metropole. Im attraktiven? Wohnkomplex gibt es so ziemlich alles, keine Wünsche bleiben offen: Einkaufszentrum, Boutiquen, Friseur, Reinigung, Zahnarzt, praktische Ärzte, Fachärzte etc. etc.Einer dieser Ärzte, ein Wissenschaftler, ist heimlich auf der Suche nach einem Parasiten, der bald Organverpflanzungen überflüssig machen könnte. Natürlich ist dieser Dr. Jekyll auch ein durchgeknallter Mr. Hyde, denn es reizt ihn, mit diesem Parasiten auch den triebhaften Urinstinkt des Menschen extrem zu verstärken. Als der lüsterne Doc sein Experiment an einer jungen Frau ausprobiert, wird diese zur blutrünstigen und Menschenfleisch fressenden Sexbestie. Sie schläft mit unzähligen Männern, daher vermehrt sich dieser Parasit, ein ziemlich eklig aussehendes wurmähnliches Vieh, rasant schnell.Kann der Arzt Rollo St. Luc (Paul Hampton) gemeinsam mit seiner Geliebten Nurse Forsythe (Lynn Lowrey) diesen Wahnsinn stoppen. In der Zwischenzeit sorgt sich in einem anderen Appartement Janine Tudor (Susan Petri) um den Gesundheitszustand ihres Ehemannes Nicholas (Allan Colman), der ständig Sex will, aggressiv agiert und so nebenbei viel Blut und eklige Engerlinge kotzt. Sie sucht Hilfe beim Doc und bei ihrer Freundin Betts (Barbara Steele). Während der Arzt langsam die Katastrophe ahnt, ist sie schon in vollem Gange...Als Schauplatz der Geschichte wählte Cronenberg raffiniert einen neumodischen Wohnkomplex mit scheinbar allem erdenklichen Komfort. Eine äusserst kalte, triste und fast steril anmutende Ausstrahlung dieser Location, verstärkt den Horror zusätzlich. Natürlich läuft der Film heute vielleicht Gefahr, durch die sexsüchtigen Opfer des Parasiten leicht lächerlich zu wirken.Dies verhindert Cronenberg durch einen immer straffer gezogenen Spannungsbogen, der in ein geradezu beängstigendes Bild ala "Bodysnatchers" mündet..Optisch wie der nachfolgende Cronenberg "Rabid" in stimmigem B-Picture Look. Ein fieses Midnight Movie, dass es auch heute noch schafft, Unbehagen zu erzeugen...

Excellent for horror fans out there.