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1980 Italy action drama by Lucio Fulci, once cut by the BBFC, just released on UK Blu-ray
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|  | 18th July 2025
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Contraband is a 1980 Italy action drama by Lucio Fulci
Starring Fabio Testi, Ivana Monti and Marcel Bozzuffi
 Uncut for pre-cert video. Cut by the BBFC for 1987 VHS. Cuts waived for 2014 DVD. Uncut
in the US. Summary Notes Someone is muscling in on the two brothers' cigarette smuggling into Italy at Naples. The police is tipped off, then Mickey's stable burns down, then the
killing etc. starts. Luca responds.
UK: Uncut and BBFC 18 rated for strong gory violence, sexual violence, very strong language:
Promotional Material Renowned as the 'Godfather of Gore' for legendary cult supernatural horror films like 'The Beyond' ,
Lucio Fulci delivers the suspense of noir with the punch of a horror film in his unapologetically brutal crime masterpiece, CONTRABAND - creating a raw, uncompromisingly visceral vision of
organised crime with horror-style set-pieces - including one of the most notorious scenes in Italian crime cinema, the "melting face" torture sequence. Fulci lays bare the raw - and completely unromanticised - brutality of the Camorra in
one of his most hard-hitting and unrelenting films, merging crime thriller with Horrors shocking aesthetics. 'It got so real that the local underworld got involved in the actual making of the film', explains star Fabio Testi
in an exclusive interview for this release. CONTRABAND stars the ever-charismatic tough-guy Fabio Testi ( Revolver ) who delivers a powerful, career-defining performance as Luca - a tough-as-nails
cigarette smuggler whose world explodes when his brother is murdered and his wife abducted. This ignites a ferocious mob war, with a ruthless new order attempting to replace the old criminal order with deadly narcotics. What follows isnt just revenge -
its a one-man war against a ruthless drug lord portrayed with unhinged intensity by Marcel Bozzuffi . His performance is so disturbingly sadistic, it makes his assassin role in ' The French
Connection' look tame. Here, Bozzuffis cool menace curdles into something purely psychopathic. Fulci spares no one in the ensuing bloodbath, turning the sun-drenched Bay of Naples into a blood-soaked battleground. Brace yourself for a
visceral assault on the senses as Fulci unleashes his signature gut-churning gore and eye-popping graphic cruelty. This definitive edition is presented fully uncut, restored from 4K vault negative with additional colour correction and upgraded
sound - exclusive to this version. It also uniquely features two optional seamless colour-version openings. Presented in FullHD 1080p Encode, it features both the English and the original Italian audio (with newly translated English subtitles), plus
several extras including a unique new interview with star Fabio Testi. SPECIAL FEATURES
- Exclusive all-revealing new interview with star Fabio Testi on how the real underworld got involved in the making of the film!
- Exclusive definitive
video essay by Stephen Thrower Fulci specialist and author of world-renowned Fulci bible 'Beyond Terror'
- Interview with Antonella Fulci, candid
revelations about her father Lucio Fulci
- New English subtitles and SDH
O-card and reversible sleeve featuring new exclusively commissioned artwork and original poster.
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1997 US drama by Vincent Pereira just released on US Blu-ray with 2 versions
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| | 18th July 2025
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A Better Place is a 1997 US drama by Vincent Pereira
Starring Eion Bailey, Robert DiPatri and Joseph Cassese
Exists as a Director's Cut and an Alternative Cut.
Summary Notes A high school outcast new to town becomes friends with a violent loner still haunted by the death of his parents.
US: Uncut and MPAA Unrated for:
- 2025 Smodcastle Cinema [Director's Cut + Alternative Cut] R0 Blu-ray at US Amazon #ad released on 27th May 2025
- 2025 Smodcastle Cinema Amazon VoD [US] at US Amazon #ad
Promotional Material AN INDIE THRILLER FROM VIEW ASKEW PRODUCTIONS AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS KEVIN SMITH AND SCOTT MOSIER From View Askew Productions (Clerks, Chasing Amy, Dogma) and Executive
Producers Kevin Smith and Scott Mosier (Good Will Hunting) comes first-time director Vincent Pereira's "edgy teen thriller" (Filmmaker Magazine). Barret Michaelson (Robert DiPatri) is having a bad first day at his new high school - he is
badgered, ridiculed, and nearly beaten up. He finds an unlikely ally in local loner Ryan Walker (Eion Bailey, Almost Famous, Fight Club), an intelligent but misanthropic youth with a dark family past. A friendship quickly develops, but Barret begins to
worry as Ryan's philosophical ranting turns increasingly violent. When Barret does the unthinkable and makes peace with the local teenagers Ryan so despises, Ryan loses all control and attempts to drag Barret down into his world of hatred and destruction
and Barret must find a way to escape. A harrowing depiction of teen violence and rage, A Better Place has been called "a bracing, disturbing film with an underlying humanity" (Stephen Gallagher, The Hamptons International Film Festival)
and "Sharply written, with stellar performances... A Better Place deals frankly with the dark side of the American teenage experience" (Mitch Davis, Fantasia Film Festival). Bonus Materials
- Brand-new 2K Restoration of a 3K scan of the OCN & first generation print elements, presented in 1080p in its director intended 1.50:1 aspect ratio
- Audio: LPCM 5.1 Surround Sound
- Optional English Subtitles
- NEW! Introduction by Writer & Director Vincent Pereira
- Archival Commentary with Director Vincent
Pereira & Cast and Crew members
- 2001 Version of 'A Better Place' (presented in standard definition, 2.0 Stereo, 85 mins)
- Vintage Introductions by Executive Producers
Kevin Smith & Scott Mosier (SD)
- Vintage 'Goof' Commentary (on 2001 version) with Director Vincent Pereira and Cast
- Deleted Scenes with Optional Director Commentary (SD)
- Outtakes & Bloopers (SD)
- 'A Better Place' 2025 Trailer (HD, 1:27)
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1974 France erotic drama by Max Pécas just released on UK Blu-ray
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| 4th July 2025
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Private Club is a 1974 France erotic drama by Max Pécas
Starring Philippe Gasté, Denyse Roland and Chantal Arondel
Cut by the BBFC for an 'X' rated cinema release in 1974. Uncut and BBFC 18 rated for
2025 Blu-ray Summary Notes Marcel, a taxi driver, picks up a seductive woman who leads him to a private club where he indulges in sexual encounters. However, he is caught up in his
love for Lisa, whom he met in Paris, amidst the club's alluring atmosphere.
UK: Uncut and BBFC 18 rated for sexual violence, strong sex, nudity:
Promotional Material Max Pécas blends sensuality with intrigue in the French erotic crime thriller Private Club a.k.a House of 1000 Pleasures (1974). The film follows a group of men lured into an
extravagant brothel that promises unparalleled pleasure but hides a sinister secret. As the guests indulge in decadent fantasies, they soon realize they are trapped in a dangerous web of deception, blackmail, and murder. Known for its lavish
cinematography, seductive atmosphere, and suspenseful storytelling, the movie captures the essence of 1970s European erotic cinema. Max Pécas, a prolific director of exploitation films, delivers a blend of eroticism and mystery, making Private Club a
cult favourite among fans of vintage Euro sleaze and crime thrillers.
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1969 US horror mystery by William O Brown, once cut in the US, just released on US Blu-ray
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| 23rd June 2025
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The Naked Witch is a 1969 US horror mystery by William O. Brown
Starring Anthony Eisley, Thordis Brandt and Alvy Moore
Originally released in the US in a cut MPAA M rated version titled The Witchmaker.
Later reissued uncut and MPAA R rated with the title The Naked Witch
Summary Notes A psychic researcher and his assistants investigate a series of murders of beautiful young
women.
Versions
uncut
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cut | 
M
Rated | US: Cut for an MPA M rating |
Promotional Material When a series of brutal, ritualistic type murders of eight young women occur at a Louisiana swamp, Dr. Ralph Hayes, a psychic researcher, heads there with his team to begin an
investigation into the dark & macabre tragedies. After learning the bodies of the women have been drained of their blood, and marked with satanic symbols, Dr. Hayes and his team suspect this is the work of a satanic coven. It doesn't take long for them
to discover that they are up against a powerful warlock who is out to fulfill a pact with his master. Bonus Materials
- Commentary track by Robert Kelly, artist, reviewer and film buff extraodinaire!
- Poster gallery of other notable horror films of the 1960's. '1960S Horror: A Decade of Innovation and
Fear'
- Restored original Theatrical Trailer, TV Trailer and Radio Spot
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An occasional series of old BBFC Cuts to the Carry On films
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| 18th June 2025
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| Thanks to Vince
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Carry On Teacher is a 1959 UK comedy by Gerald Thomas
Starring Kenneth Williams, Leslie Phillips and Kenneth Connor
BBFC cuts were required for 'U' rated cinema release in 1959. The BBFC cuts have
persisted into all releases since. Summary Notes Pupils run amok at Maudlin Street School in an attempt to hang on to their headmaster. He has applied for a new job, but the students
like him and don't want to lose him.
Versions
uncut
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BBFC U rated for mild sex references and comic violence:
UK: Cut and BBFC U rated for:
- 2001 Warner Home DVD (rated 12/09/2001)
- 1988 Warner Home VHS (rated 11/07/1988)
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| cut: | | | run: | 89:00s | | pal: | 85:26s |
|  | UK: A longer version was BBFC U rated for mild sex references and comic violence for mild
sex references and comic violence after BBFC cuts:
- 1959 Beaconsfield Films cinema release (rated 20/05/1959)
Thanks to Vince. The BBFC cuts list read:
Reel 2 & 3 - Shorten the dialogue between the master and the pupil who objects to the use of the school edition of 'Romeo and Juliet', especially removing the phrase "by her fine foot, straight leg and thigh and the demesnes
that there adjacent lie."
From IMDb: The name 'Allcock' was questioned by the 1950s' censors, especially how much the characters constantly say it with such precision on the cock part, but they eventually allowed it to pass.
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1972 film by Jess Franco set for US Blu-ray release on 19th August 2025
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| 18th June 2025
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The Vengeance of Dr. Mabuse is a 1972 film by Jess Franco
Starring Fred Williams, Jack Taylor and Beni Cordoso There are no censorship issues with this release. US: Uncut and MPAA Unrated for:
Promotional Material A criminal mastermind (Jack Taylor, Female Vampire) deploys poison gas and a beautiful whip-wielding assassin (Beni Cardoso) in a plot to steal government secrets in The Vengeance of
Dr Mabuse (Dr. M schlägt zu). But his elaborate schemes risk unraveling when a small-town inspector (Fred Williams) stumbles into the scene. An unauthorized entry in the Dr. Mabuse cycle, the film makes no reference to Norbert Jacquess clairvoyant
criminal (the M-word is carefully avoided). Instead, director Jess Franco used the project as a chance to revisit his own sci-fi thrillers (The Awful Dr. Orlof, The Diabolical Dr. Z). Fold in a disfigured henchman (Rocha), a striptease dancer (Ewa
Strömberg, Vampyros Lesbos), and wrap it all in a feverish jazz score, and the result is a spicy cinematic melange that could only have been concocted in the demented mind of Jess Franco.
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BBFC briefly erroneously reported censor cuts but the film is actually 18 rated and uncut
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| 13th June 2025
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| Thanks to Robert
See article from bbfc.co.uk
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A Game in the Woods is a 2024 US horror by Mike McCutchen
Starring Eleanor Newman, Emily Skeen and John P. Crowley
The BBFC briefly reported dialogue cuts to this film but this was an erroneous
database entry and the film is actually uncut and BBFC 18 rated. The video is uncut and MPA Unrated in the US. Summary Notes After a Texas rancher dies, his granddaughter and her
girlfriend discover masked hunters at his ranch competing in a twisted game of life and death. Will the beauties and their already rocky romance survive the brutal carnage?
Versions
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2001 France/Italy/Germany crime comedy romance by Jacques Rivette just released on UK with 2 versions
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| 9th June 2025
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Va Savoir is a 2001 France/Italy/Germany crime comedy romance by Jacques Rivette
Starring Jeanne Balibar, Sergio Castellitto and Marianne Basler
Exists as a Theatrical Version and a Director's Cut.
Summary Notes Quick-witted, well-read cultured types revolve around each other in a delightful potpourri of theatre, romanticism and theft.
Versions
Promotional Material Returning home with her travelling theatre troupe, actress Camille (Jeanne Balibar, Les misérables) finds the affections of her director lover Ugo (Sergio Castellitto, Conclave) have
waned after he takes an interest in Dominique (Hélène de Fougerolles, Innocence), a vivacious student helping him search for an infamous missing play. In a bid to make him jealous, Camille reunites with her former lover Pierre (Jacques Bonnaffé, Prénom
Carmen), now happily married to Sonia (Marianne Basler, Midnight in Paris), and a farce-like series of love triangles ensue. Theatrically exploring attraction, jealousy, and every emotion in between, Jacques Rivettes quick-witted and zesty romantic drama
turns a satirical lens on the citys intelligentsia - for whom Paris will always be their home - to ask whether even they know what love is all about. LIMITED EDITION BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES
- New 4K restorations of Va Savoir (the 154-minute theatrical cut) and Va Savoir+ (the 223-minute directors original cut), presented on two discs
- Original uncompressed PCM stereo audio
- Select-scene audio commentary by screenwriters
Pascal Bonitzer and Christine Laurent
- Archival interview with director Jacques Rivette
- Archival interview with star Jeanne Balibar
- Interview with critic Jonathan Romney
- Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly
commissioned artwork by Filippo Di Battista
- Limited edition booklet with archival writing by Rivette expert Mary M. Wiles
- Limited edition of 3000 copies, presented in full-height Scanavo packaging with removable OBI strip leaving
packaging free of certificates and markings
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