The 1980s were a golden age for fantasy movies, with movies like Conan the Barbarian, Excalibur, and Dragonslayer giving the genre a fresh jolt. One of these films, The Sword and the Sorcerer, is getting a new, Amazon-exclusive 4K steelbook Blu-ray release. You can preorder it now, and it’s expected to ship out starting December 2.
$45 | Releases December 2
The Sword and the Sorcerer Limited Edition Steelbook 4K Blu-ray is a two-disc set featuring a new 4K cut of the movie based on scans from the original film negatives, with support for Dolby Vision HDR10 and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround sound. This is notable since the film’s original audio tracks were damaged over the years, but Shout Factory has managed to rescue the sound and the new DTS-HD Master Audio mix is the best version of the film’s audio available.
For the special features, The Sword and the Sorcerer contains several newly filmed interviews. There’s a chat with co-writer and director Albert Pyun about the challenges of making the movie, actress Kathleen Beller talks about her time on the set, and legendary special effects experts the Chiodo Brothers reveal how their single day on the set saw them create a crypt of heads.
The Sword and the Sorcerer special features
- Presented in Dolby Vision HDR
- Brand-new 4K restoration sourced from the original camera negatives
- Director’s commentary with Albert Pyun
- Tales of the Ancient Empire: An interview with filmmaker Albert Pyun
- A Princess’ Tale: A conversation with actress Kathleen Beller
- Mightier Than the Sword: A discussion with co-writer and co-producer John Stuckmeyer
- Master of the Blade: Editor Marshall Harvey interviewed
- The Specialist and the Effects: Special makeup effects artist Allan Apone talks about his work
- Brothers in Arms: Special effects creators The Chiodo Brothers interviewed
- Tribute to stuntman Jack Tyree: Memories shared by the cast and crew
- Trailers from Hell: Marshall Harvey on The Sword and the Sorcerer
- Original theatrical trailers
- Vintage TV spot
- Stills gallery
$20 (was $40) | Available now
The original 4K version was released in 2022, and the Collector’s Edition features a cover based on one of the original theatrical posters for the movie. The two-disc set is currently on sale for $20 at Amazon (Was $50), so if you don’t mind going without the steelbook cover, you can score a substantial savings and get the movie right now.
For the uninitiated, The Sword and the Sorcerer is perhaps the most aptly titled sword-and-sorcery fantasy film of all time. It follows Talon, a legendary mercenary who wields a three-bladed sword. Talon learns he is the heir to a kingdom ruled over by an evil sorcerer, so he sets off to reclaim his heritage, save a beautiful princess, and battle savage monsters in this cult-classic–y’know, all the standard elements one would expect from a sword-and-sorcery cult classic. While The Sword and the Sorcerer was a critical flop, it was a commercial hit at the time, and it’s seen as one of the formative movies of the burgeoning swords-and-sorcery genre that would become popular at the box office for many years.
The distributor of the new 4K Steelbook Edition, Shout Factory, has announced several additional upcoming 4K Blu-rays releasing in December. Each one comes in a steelbook case with newly commissioned artwork, and feature a bonus disc with special features. One notable release is director Zack Snyder’s 2004 remake of George Romero’s Dawn of the Dead, which is getting a new 4K Steelbook Edition that sports ghoulish cover art. Shout Factory is also resurrecting the third entry in the sci-fi saga Riddick, which sees Vin Diesel’s signature anti-hero return to fulfill his cosmic destiny.
These are just a few of the new 4K Steelbook Edition Blu-rays on the way from Shout Factory. Check the list below for the full lineup of preorders.
Shout Factory Steelbook Blu-ray Preorders
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