Exclusive Interview of Michael J. Lewis – « THEATRE of BLOOD » (1973) / UK Blu Ray Special Edition - 2014


 
 
A special new edition of the Douglas Hickox’s cult horror film drama « Theatre of Blood » (1973) is now  available. This is a complete restored version of the movie from a new 35mm interpositive and a restored mono optical soundtrack negative produced by MGM. The result is magnificent !!!

 

A unconventional classic « horror movie » 

In 1972, United Artists and the producers John Kohn and Stanley Mann choose Douglas Hickox (1929 / 1988- « Sitting Target » (1972) « Brannigan » (1975) and « Zulu Dawn » (1979)…) to direct the movie Theatre of Blood. The team production was joined by two executive producers Gustave Berne and Sam Jaffe. 

The cast team was very impressive : « Vincent Price, Diana Rigg, Ian Hendry, Harry Andrews, Robert Morley, Diana Dors, Madeline Smith, Milo O’Shea, Eric Sykes… » The original screenplay was written by Anthony Greville-Bell (« Perfect Friday » (1970)) based on an idea by John Kohn and Stanley Mann. 

I would not tell you the story because I prefer to keep the mystery intact for those who have never seen this moving film. I would only say that « Theatre of Blood » is a very special entertainement...
 

Main Theme from "THEATRE of BLOOD"
 

A composer to hire ! 

After his brillant score for « The Madwoman of Chaillot » (Bryan Forbes (1969)), the producers of « Theatre of Blood » offered to Michael J. Lewis the opportunity to compose the music of the movie. Once again, the great musician showed another face of his talent by writting two beautifull melodies : « the main title » (main theme of the movie) and « Edwina’s theme (Diana Rigg’s character) ». But above all, he succeeded in merging his romantic music and the cruelty of the story in a very fine ability and a great sense of humor. For me, it is a great score and brought the evidence that he is one of the greatest film composers of his generation, like Jerry Goldmsith, John Williams …!  

The collaboration between Lewis and Hickox worked so marvelously that they decided to work together again on a TV film adaptation of the Arthur Conan Doyles’ novel « The Hound of the Baskervilles » in 1983.

 
Michael J. Lewis


A special interview of the Maestro
 

In addition to the bonus (interviews, short documentary, trailer, collector’s booklet….) this special blu ray edition  also includes an outstanding interview by Michael J. Lewis : « A harmony for horror ». With a lot of enthusiam and witty, the Welsh composer remembered his collaboration with the director Douglas Hickox and the high class actress Diana Rigg. But, above all, there is a great moment of emotion when he plays at the piano the « main title » and the « Edwina’s theme ».
 

We are very grateful to « Arrow Video » and « High Rising Production » for giving us the opportunity to enjoy a very fine and rare moment of pure pleasure.

 
"THEATRE of BLOOD" (Trailer)
 
 
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A new short film by the Director – Composer Michael J. Lewis
 

Some months ago, the composer was kind enough to send me the link of one of his last short movie « Great Storms of Aberystwyth » available on YouTube.
 

Please find hereunder the references of this link which, I hope, you will also enjoy :
 


« A Spectacular Storm at my Town in Wales »

(Great Storms of Aberystwyth – Michael J. Lewis).

 


 
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If you are interested in knowwing more about « Theatre of Blood », please visit the following sites :
 

The Composer Michael J. Lewis : 
 

Official Web sites of Michael J. Lewis :


 


« Theatre of Blood » - The Film Score by Michael J. LEWIS :
 

a)   Promotional CD Album of the original Score of « Theatre of Blood » by Michael J. Lewis, (24 tracks – Stereo - Total CD Time : 54.33 minutes) ;

Link :
http://digitalmeltd0wn.blogspot.fr/2010/12/michael-j-lewis-theatre-of-blood.html).




b)  CD Album of the original Score of « Theatre of Blood » by Michael J. Lewis, (15 tracks – Stereo- Total CD Time : 53.14 minutes) ; La-La Land Records ; LLLCD 1136, 2010, Burbank, USA ;

Links :
 
 


c)   Rerecording version (5 tracks) : Double CD Album of « Orchestral Film Music of Michael J. Lewis – The first twenty five Years (1969/1994) » by Michael J. Lewis with the Rubdfunkorchester Berlin and the Los Angeles Ensemble ; Pen Pinas Production, N° PD 951, 1995, USA ;

Link :


 

« Theatre of Blood » - The Movie  by Douglas Hickox (1973) :














« Theatre of Blood » - The Blu Ray UK Special Edition : 

« Theatre of Blood » by Douglas Hickox, 1973 / 2014, Arrow Video , Blu Ray Zone B, Ref FC0927, Wide Screen Edition, Mono Sound, Pal, 1.66.1 / (16-9), 104 minutes, English Language and English Substitles, 2014, UK. 

Links :






Producers of the special features (Blu Ray Special UK Edition)
http://highrisingproductions.com/home.html


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