Arrow Films, out now

When a grad student begins working on a thesis about urban legends, she comes across the terrifying tale of the Candyman – a vengeful, hook-handed spirit who can be summoned by saying his name five times in the mirror.

Bernard Rose’s (Paperhouse) 1992 adaptation of the Clive Barker Books of Blood short story The Forbidden is the latest in Arrow Films’ ongoing 4K upgrades, this time featuring a restoration from the original negative, supervised and approved by Rose and director of photography Anthony B. Richmond.

The Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible) picture had two cuts of the film – the US R-rated version and the original UK theatrical version which features more graphic footage of the prison psychiatrist’s death. There’s still some grain in the picture, but check out the richness of those blacks, particularly when Helen (Virginia Madsen) is creeping around the estate where Candyman resides. The colourful graffiti is in stark contrast to the darkness, which while revealing more detail, still conceals Candyman in the shadows.

The impressive collection of extras is the same as Arrow’s June 2019 Blu-ray, itself a jump up from Universal’s 2011 disc. New to this limited edition first pressing is a 40-page booklet reproducing the original hand-painted storyboards by Bernard Rose, new writing on the film, six postcard-sized UK lobby card reproductions and reversible sleeve and poster.

Verdict: The original (and best) Candyman movie has never looked so grim – and that’s a compliment! 9/10

Nick Joy

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