Upcoming release: Deaf Crocodile Films has done a 4K restoration of Jean-Louis Roy's 1967 classic, The Unknown Man of Shandigor! This might be my most exciting news since I got to help out with the blu-ray edition of The 10th Victim! L'Inconnu de Shandigor is one of those rare jewels of 60s genre films that walked a line intersecting the avant-garde, pop sensibility, modern design, abstract art, mad scientist-horror-spy conventions, and a healthy dose of Art Nouveau via Antoni Gaudi architecture. The result was an arty, sometimes weird, entertaining feast of thrills! It also featured a number of great actors Spy Vibers will recognize from Dr. Mabuse, krimi, and even John Cassavetes films. As an added attraction, the ultra-cool Serge Gainsbourg (leader of a team of assassins in the movie) sang an unreleased spy tune in one scene. Did I mention this was super fun? The film has been languishing in the grey market for years and years and I'd hoped Criterion or Eureka would pick it up someday. Well, Deaf Crocodile has stepped up and now fans will finally be able to see this rare gem! The distributors planned to do a limited theatrical release sometime late '21 or early '22, followed by the Blu-ray, so we should be seeing more announcements soon. Can't wait! From the press release: "THE UNKNOWN MAN OF SHANDIGOR is a marvelous and surreal hall of mirrors, part-DR. STRANGELOVE, part-ALPHAVILLE, with sly nods to British TV shows like “THE AVENGERS” and “DOCTOR WHO.” The film stars a Who’s Who of great Sixties European character actors starting with the unforgettable Daniel Emilfork (THE CITY OF LOST CHILDREN, THE DEVIL’S NIGHTMARE) as crazed scientist Herbert Von Krantz, who’s invented a device to sterilize all nuclear weapons called “The Annulator.” A mad herd of rival spies are desperate to get their hands on the device, including legendary French singer Serge Gainsbourg as the leader of a sect of bald, turtleneck-wearing assassins, and Jess Franco veteran Howard Vernon (THE AWFUL DR. ORLOF). Gainsbourg’s deranged jazz-lounge song, “Bye Bye Mr. Spy” – performed by him on funeral parlor organ, no less – is arguably the film’s high point." More info at Deaf Crocodile. Sign up for a release alert at Blu-ray. Good things do come to those who wait!
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