Overview: From Italian master of the macabre Dario Argento (Suspiria, Tenebrae), comes Phenomena - one of his most beautifully designed horror films - now remastered in 4K Ultra HD and Dolby Vision in a two-disc set! As the mystery unfolds, they find themselves in a bizarre murder plot with maggots, telepathic insects and a razor-wielding chimpanzee! Can Jennifer uncover the killer’s identity before becoming a victim herself?

Phenomena features a fantastic soundtrack from progressive-rock gods Goblin, British heavy metal masters Motörhead, Iron Maiden, Andi Sex Gang, Bill Wyman and Simon Boswell. Dalila Di Lazarro (Andy Warhol’s Frankenstein), Daria Nicolodi (Tenebrae), Patrick Bauchau (Clear and Present Danger) and Fiore Argento (Demons) also star in this truly unique, gory and unsettling thriller.

Blu-ray Verdict: First, before I say another word, there is one thing about this and other Dario Argento films that I can’t stress enough: ACCEPT NO SUBSTITUTES. Years ago, when PHENOMENA was first released, there was an Americanized version retitled CREEPERS. That is to say it was the raped, slashed and strangled version of what we now know as PHENOMENA.

I thought it was an amazing film even then, but it seemed incomplete to me somehow. I was ticked off and felt completely validated in my suspicions some years later, when I picked up a full-version bootleg of the REAL film at a convention. I was completely floored by the full-strength wallop packed by the uncut version, which was a wonderful surprise (but I think I would’ve enjoyed it more when I first saw it).

So should you ever have the opportunity to see the full version of any Argento film, (or other horror classics for that matter,) don’t hesitate and don’t compromise. The films’ creators would thank you if they could, but more importantly, YOU will thank you.

Now, where was I?

Oh, yeah, we were about to talk about this simply MAGNIFICENT, and fully-complete 4K UHD of Phenomena, where were are first introduced to Jennifer Corvino (Jennifer Connelly), an American transplant to a Swiss boarding school (for girls, of course).

She’s not finding it easy making friends or getting along, since her dad is a big-time TV and film star. More than a few of the other girls think she’s a stuck-up bitch because of this fact, but you have to wonder, and with a mysterious killer cutting into the student body one girl at a time, wouldn’t THAT be a little more important than ganging up on poor Jen?!

Well, what-eveeeer! It’s not like she’s completely without friends, anyway. She’s been having some strange sleepwalking incidents, but it’s more like dream-walking for her, because during the dreams she has the power to communicate with insects - moths, beetles, flies, well you name it, she’s a regular insectoid Dr. Dolittle.

But that’s not all, for thanks to this psychic link, she’s also a sleeping witness to the killer’s own nocturnal activities, and the closer she gets to him, the closer she is to discovering his identity, and then the closer HE gets to her ... well, you get the gist now of the plot.

Her powers also lead her in part to the house of Dr. John McGregor (Donald Pleasance) who is, coincidentally enough, a forensic entomologist. He helps her understand her unusual abilities and she in turn helps him help the police with the serial killer case.

Of course, neither they nor anyone they know can possibly prepare for the twists and turns events will take, as Jennifer unmasks the killer and he responds as most killers will by trying to take out as many of the good guys as he can before he himself gets taken down. And in this terrifically twisted tale, I mean that LITERALLY.

Like most of his other films, Argento sets the tone, the pace and the rules of the game right from the get-go. PHENOMENA is unique in many ways, natch, but how many films feature a trained helper monkey assisting a crippled lead character, like the one who aids Dr. McGregor and keeps him company (well, yeah, there is MONKEY SHINES and LINK, but those came much later). Not to mention that the precocious primate plays an important and jaw- dropping role in the grisly climax!

So basically, if you aren’t willing to suspend your disbelief before you even hit play, you might want to consider buying and watching something else. Part crime-drama, part supernatural fairy tale (and, come on now, even complete with its own wicked witch, splendidly played by Daria Nicolodi (the former Mrs. Argento), and a horrific version of Rumpelstiltskin you are guaranteed NEVER to forget), PHENOMENA is classic Argento, not to be missed. And consider this early performance of the now award-nominated Ms. Connelly a bonus!

4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentations in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
New 4K restorations of all three versions of Phenomena, including the original Italian version (116 mins.), the International cut (110 mins.), and the U.S. Creepers cut (83 mins.)
Lossless English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 stereo soundtracks on the international version, derived from the original 4-channel Dolby Stereo elements
Rare alternate DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 stereo mix on the international version, featuring different sound effects and music cues
Lossless Italian DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 stereo soundtracks, derived from the original 4-channel Dolby Stereo elements
Lossless English DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 mono and 2.0 stereo music version soundtrack on Creepers, mastered from the original 3 track DME magnetic mix
Lossless hybrid English/Italian DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
English subtitles for the Italian soundtrack
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing for the hybrid soundtrack
U.S. theatrical trailer and radio spots for Creepers
Original Italian and international theatrical trailers
Audio commentary by Troy Howarth, author of Murder by Design: The Unsane Cinema of Dario Argento (on Italian Version)
Audio commentary on the international version by Argento scholar and author Derek Botelho and film historian, journalist and radio/television commentator David Del Valle
Of Flies and Maggots, a feature-length 2017 documentary produced by Arrow Films, including interviews with co-writer/producer/director Dario Argento, actors Fiore Argento, Davide Marotta, Daria Nicolodi and others.
The Three Sarcophagi, a visual essay by Arrow Films producer Michael Mackenzie comparing the different cuts of Phenomena
Jennifer’s music video, directed by Dario Argento
Slipcover/o-card with beautiful artwork from artist Nick Charge
Reversible cover with original Italian PHENOMENA art

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