Posted Wed Nov 12, 2014 at 06:00 AM PST by Steven Cohen
A restored cut of the controversial 1970s horror flick will make its Blu-ray debut later this month.
In an early announcement to retailers, VCI Entertainment is preparing 'What the Peeper Saw' for Blu-ray on November 18.
After years of searching, VCI's video detectives finally located the scenes which had been excised from the original version of 'What the Peeper Saw' (a.k.a. Night Hair Child, Diabolica Malicia). With the discovery of this footage, VCI was able to produce a new high-definition master transfer, which for the first time ever restores the film to its original deviant glory. This 1972 British-Italian co-production was a true International effort, set and filmed in Spain and featuring British, Swedish and German actors. Top billing went to the angelic star of 'Oliver!' (1968), Mark Lester, who plays a psychotic 12 year-old, with an unhealthy sexual fascination for his beautiful stepmother (Britt Ekland). No doubt the Swedish born actress, Britt Ekland, is well known for her stunning looks. She will also be remembered for her marriage to Peter Sellers, and the fact he suffered a heart attack on their wedding night, surely enhanced her sexy image. She appeared in a long string of films from the 1960s to the 1970s but may be best known for her parts in 'Get Carter' (1971) and the cult classic 'The Wicker Man' (1973). Perhaps the high point of her career came as the Bond girl Mary Goodnight in 'The Man with the Golden Gun' (1974). The ruggedly handsome German actor Hardy Kruger ('Barry Lyndon'), plays the wealthy father, whose love for his only son, blinds him to the boys horrifying deeds.
The scenes of sexual exploitation in the original film were so controversial at that time, especially following the passage in the UK of the Protection of Children Act, that it was banned from further showings in Britain. Cuts were also mandated in order to obtain an "R" rating necessary for the US theatrical release via distributor Avco Embassy Pictures. Now you can see what all the controversy was about in VCI's restored version of this finely-crafted psychodrama. VCI Entertainment is set to release 'What the Peeper Saw' on a limited edition Blu-ray November 18. The release will be part of an exclusive 'boutique" strategy aimed at creating a 'collectible" for hard-core horror film fans.
Specs have not been detailed yet, but supplements will include: Original Theatrical Trailer and Original TV Teaser Spot.
Suggested list price for the limited edition Blu-ray is $29.99
You can find the latest specs for 'What the Peeper Saw' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under November 18.
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