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DEAF CROCODILE

SAVAGE HUNT OF KING STAKH, THE (1980)

SAVAGE HUNT OF KING STAKH, THE (1980)

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“We have more ghosts than live people,”

 Murmurs the pale, haunted mistress of the mansion of Marsh Firs (Elena Dimitrova) to a scholar of ancient folklore (Boris Plotnikov) who has arrived at her castle to research the bloody legend of King Stakh, a murdered 15th century nobleman whose spirit supposedly thunders through the local woodlands. (The Wild Hunt is a fixture of northern European folklore in which a sinister figure leads a chase followed by ghostly companions.) Part folk horror, part supernatural mystery, KING STAKH is a melancholy, chilling mixture of Terry Gilliam, Italian Gothic Horror, 1960s Hammer Films and THE WICKER MAN – and a major rediscovery for genre fans. The longer the young scholar stays in this mysterious house of “shadow, gloom, madness and death,” the more strange and surreal the imagery becomes: a mad widow in a white wig; a man bleeding spontaneously from his skull; a dwarf hiding in a decayed doll’s house; screeching ravens and maniacal puppet shows. Based on the novel by Belarusian writer Uladzimir Karatkievich, the long-unavailable KING STAKH has recently been restored from the original film elements in its extended 126 min. Director’s Cut by Deaf Crocodile and Seagull Films for its first-ever U.S. release. (In Russian with English subtitles.)

Bonus Features:

  • Brand-new restoration of the Director’s Cut of the film by Craig Rogers for Deaf Crocodile.
  • Video introduction by filmmaker and author Kier-La Janisse (WOODLANDS DARK AND DAYS BEWITCHED: A HISTORY OF FOLK HORROR).
  • ”The Wild, Wild Hunt of King Stakh” -- new video essay by film historian Evan Chester.
  • New commentary track by comics artist (Swamp Thing), film historian, and author Stephen R. Bissette.
  • New commentary track by Mike White of The Projection Booth.
  • QR code to access transcribed bonus features
  • Blu-ray authoring by David Mackenzie of Fidelity In Motion.
  • Graphic Design by Beth Morris

 

 

 

2025-02-11

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