Arrow Video, out now

 

A mysterious young man travels from Dunwich to the library of the Miskatonic University to view one of the only copies of the Necronomicon.

Directed by Daniel Haller, this 1970 loose adaptation of The Dunwich Horror by H P Lovecraft was produced by Roger Corman’s AIP and co-written by future Oscar winner Curtis Hanson in his first screenwriting credit.

Haller previously directed another Lovecraft movie Die, Monster, Die! in 1965 (based on The Color out of Space) and here we follow creepy Wilbur Whateley (Dean Stockwell) who acquires the Necronomicon and Nancy Wagner (Sandra Dee). In truth, it’s more Rosemary’s Baby than Lovecraft, and frequently goes psychedelic, accompanied by Les Baxter’s groovy score.

The new 2K restoration by Arrow is taken from the original camera negative and features an audio commentary by Guy Adams and Alexandra Benedict. There’s a lengthy (two hours plus) conversation between film historian Stephen R. Bissette and horror author Stephen Laws, and an interview with author Ruthanna Emrys.

Music historian David Huckvale also examines Les Baxter’s score and the disc is completed with the theatrical trailer, image gallery and a reversible sleeve. This first pressing includes an illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing by film critics Johnny Mains and Jack Sargeant.

Verdict: A Lovecraft adaptation that’s more interested in the trappings of satanic panic, but there’s some great performances and plenty of extras to work through. 7/10

Nick Joy