Search - The Black Cat on DVD

MPAA Rating: NR Content Advisory: Graphic Violence, Adult Situations, Not For Children Movie Release: 1981 DVD Release: 05/22/2001 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV Edition: Special Collection Audio Tracks: English SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 32 mins Studio: Anchor Bay Members Wishing: 5 Genres: Horror, Thriller, Supernatural Horror See Also: The Black Cat

Italian goremeister Lucio Fulci applies his characteristic touch to the Edgar Allan Poe tale (of which very little remains intact) to tell the story of a deranged, wheelchair-bound English psychic (Patrick Magee) who can record the voices of the dead on tape, and apparently possesses the ability to channel evil spirits into the body of his cat -- which he then commands to take vengeance on his enemies. When a freelance crime photographer (Mimsy Farmer) notices traces of feline claw-marks on the bodies of accident victims, her own investigations eventually lead her to Magee's naughty kitty... leading to a confusing climax wherein it is learned (sort of) who's really in charge. Remarkably restrained horror from the man behind such flesh-rending epics as Zombie and The Gates of Hell, this is also nearly incomprehensible, possessing a nightmarish lack of cohesion that is more irritating than frightening. In fact, the most horrifying thing about this film is Fulci's aggressive tendency to shoot super-tight widescreen close-ups of Magee's eyes and nose. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide

Patrick Magee - Mr. Miles
Mimsy Farmer - Jill Travers
David Warbeck - Inspector Gorley
Al Cliver - Policeman
Dagmar Lassander - Mrs. Grayson

Italian horror master Lucio Fulci is at it again with his terrifying "animals attack!" flick The Black Cat. Anchor Bay has done a nice job on this 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen presentation. With only a small amount of grain or dirt showing up in the image, this picture looks great and includes deep, dark black levels and very vivid color patterns. The audio is presented in Dolby Digital Mono and sounds very apt for the film it supports. While this soundtrack may not be overly aggressive or bombastic, it does do the job that's needed with crystal- clear dialogue, music, and effects. No subtitles or alternate soundtracks are availabe on this disc. Extra features on this edition of =The Black Cat are relatively low; all the viewer receives are some thin liner notes, a biography on Lucio Fulci, and a theatrical trailer for the film. ~ Patrick Naugle, All Movie Guide