"Actor: Gus Mercurio"

• Harlequin | DVD | (06/12/2004) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £1.99

  An enigmatic stranger with uncanny magical prowess and miraculous psychic abilities mysteriously comes to 'visit' a powerful politician and quickly gains a spell-binding hold over the senator and his family... Magic Murder Mystery.... Nothing is as it appears to be....

• The Blue Lagoon | DVD | (13/10/2003) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £5.99

  In 1980, Randal Kleiser's remake of The Blue Lagoon had its critics well and truly divided. On the one hand adolescent nudity, however tasteful, was enough to give the censors the vapours. On the other, the story--essentially a reworking of Robinson Crusoe based on Stacpoole's Edwardian adventure novel with two young children as the castaways growing up on a desert island--seemed just too removed from reality. Kleiser set out to make "the ultimate South Seas film", and indeed the location shooting is a richly beautiful complement to the intimate tale of two young people coming to terms with their own adulthood. He teases out touching performances from Brooke Shields (Emmeline) and Christopher Atkins (Richard) as the marooned pair, and a nicely ambivalent cameo from Leo McKern as Paddy, the ship's cook who gets them set up on the island before rum gets the better of him. A stilted script helps none of them. But the moments of awkward self-discovery and dawning sexuality are handled with a tenderness which ultimately triumphs over some of the more implausible elements: Shields' perpetually manicured nails, for example, or the fact that she unexpectedly gives birth without breaking sweat. To say nothing of the pair's extraordinary home-building skills, which would have been beyond the remit of the average Edwardian governess to teach. Today, for all its efforts to be taken seriously as a tale of preserved innocence and discovery, it succeeds best as a good old-fashioned adventure. On the DVD: This widescreen presentation positively bulges with extras. A choice of director's commentaries means that you can hear Randal Kaiser (who had previously directed Grease) reminiscing in fine detail with writer Douglas Day Stewart, and both Brooke Shields and Christopher Atkins. Some might think this overkill for a non-landmark film, but the discussions are genuinely interesting. The film was clearly a formative experience in Shields' adolescent career --she has also provided an album of personal snapshots as another extra--and it is fascinating to hear her talk about it from her current position as a star of sophisticated television sitcom. The crystal-clear digital remastering and anamorphic stereo picture and sound quality of the main film don't extend to this scratchy, sometimes inaudible documentary. --Piers Ford

• The Blue Lagoon | DVD | (27/08/2001) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  In 1980, Randal Kleiser's remake of The Blue Lagoon had its critics well and truly divided. On the one hand adolescent nudity, however tasteful, was enough to give the censors the vapours. On the other, the story--essentially a reworking of Robinson Crusoe based on Stacpoole's Edwardian adventure novel with two young children as the castaways growing up on a desert island--seemed just too removed from reality. Kleiser set out to make "the ultimate South Seas film", and indeed the location shooting is a richly beautiful complement to the intimate tale of two young people coming to terms with their own adulthood. He teases out touching performances from Brooke Shields (Emmeline) and Christopher Atkins (Richard) as the marooned pair, and a nicely ambivalent cameo from Leo McKern as Paddy, the ship's cook who gets them set up on the island before rum gets the better of him. A stilted script helps none of them. But the moments of awkward self-discovery and dawning sexuality are handled with a tenderness which ultimately triumphs over some of the more implausible elements: Shields' perpetually manicured nails, for example, or the fact that she unexpectedly gives birth without breaking sweat. To say nothing of the pair's extraordinary home-building skills, which would have been beyond the remit of the average Edwardian governess to teach. Today, for all its efforts to be taken seriously as a tale of preserved innocence and discovery, it succeeds best as a good old-fashioned adventure. On the DVD: This widescreen presentation positively bulges with extras. A choice of director's commentaries means that you can hear Randal Kaiser (who had previously directed Grease) reminiscing in fine detail with writer Douglas Day Stewart, and both Brooke Shields and Christopher Atkins. Some might think this overkill for a non-landmark film, but the discussions are genuinely interesting. The film was clearly a formative experience in Shields' adolescent career --she has also provided an album of personal snapshots as another extra--and it is fascinating to hear her talk about it from her current position as a star of sophisticated television sitcom. The crystal-clear digital remastering and anamorphic stereo picture and sound quality of the main film don't extend to this scratchy, sometimes inaudible documentary. --Piers Ford

• Harlequin (aka Dark Forces) | Blu Ray | (15/04/2022) from £17.77   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  Harlequin (1980) is volume 13 in the Ozploitation Classics collection. This release includes O-ring packaging, special features, artwork, and a limited collector's card.In this supernatural political thriller, a hypnotic faith healer Wolfe (Robert Powell in the title role), saves the life of the son of a wealthy government senator (David Hemmings) being groomed for power before both the senator and his wife (Carmen Duncan) fall prey to the enigmatic Harlequin's spellbinding powers of manipulation. A modern-day reworking of the story of 'Mad Monk' Grigori Rasputin, the faith healer and mystic who held a darkly charismatic influence over the Russian Tsar, this atmospheric chiller in the tradition of Rosemary's Baby and The Omen boasts dazzling special effects and a top notch International cast headed by Robert Powell (Jesus of Nazareth), David Hemmings (Blow Up), and Academy Award Winner Broderick Crawford (All The King's Men).8 collector cards.Extended NOT QUITE HOLLYWOOD interviews with director Simon Wincer, writer Everett De Roche, producer Antony I. Ginnane and actor Gus Mercurio. 2004 audio commentary with director Simon Wincer and producer Antony I. Ginnane. Archival interviews with actors Robert Powell and David Hemmings.Archival audio interviews with director Simon Wincer, associate producer Jane Scott and production designer Bernard Hides.AN OZPLOITATION RETROSPECTIVE an interview with critic Kim Newman.Stills and poster gallery Antony I. Ginnane trailer reelIsolated music score Original promo Theatrical trailer

• Turkey Shoot | DVD | (26/01/2004) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £10.99

  In a totalitarian society a few years from now innocent ""deviants"" like Paul (Steve Railsback) and Chris (Olivia Hussey) are forced into government camps where their ""rehabilitation"" includes beatings rape and torture. But the most shocking brutality is still to come when Chris and Paul are chosen for the Turkey Shoot a horrific hunt by the sadistic warden and his wealthy friends using prisoners as human prey! Uncut!

• Blood Camp Thatcher | DVD | (23/06/2003) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £13.99

  In a faceless and clinical landscape of the future where every living soul is a potential enemy of the State a degenerate hierarchy - ruling by terror and intimidation - wields absolute and ultimate power over life and death. The State has become master; the protesters deviates the unfortunates who end up at notorious Camp 17 have little to look forward to. Behind the electrified fences a band of sadistic guards - teasing taunting dispensing cruelty at the crack of a whip - make survival a living hell. The cold-blooded commandant Thatcher and his devious cronies live a life of two pleasures: one of the flesh the other organising regular Turkey Shoots - it is the only possible escape. With a head start selected prisoners are allowed to run beyond the camp's boundaries to the hills and apparent freedom whilst Thatcher and his evil menagerie scheme to devise fascinating and gruesome deaths for their 'turkeys'. As the hunt begins so does the ultimate nightmare.

• Triple Horror Box Set | DVD | (19/10/2009) from £17.53   |  Saving you £-4.54 (-34.90%)   |  RRP £12.99

  This exclusive box set contains 3 classic Ozploitation horror titles: Harlequin - Robert Powell gives an award winning performance in this chilling modern twist of the Rasputin story: A mysterious stranger Gregory Wolfe (Robert Powell) miraculously cures politician Nick Rast's (David Hemmings) ill son; from there he gradually installs himself in to the family circle and gains their trust in order to manipulate the politician. However other more deadly forces have their eyes on the career of Nick Rast and they will do anything to ensure their ambitions are met. Thirst - A global networks of Vampires who call themselves the Hyma Cult are running out of the precious blood they need to survive. To ensure that they can feed they create farms where they keep kidnapped teenagers alive for the purpose of feasting on their blood. Thirst is a Vampire Cult classic that deserves a place on any horror fans film shelf. The Survivor - A tale of death and of an evil which transcends death. Moments after take off a passenger Jetliner plummets to the ground killing all on board except its pilot 'Keller' (Robert Powell). After the investigation declares that no one should have survived the crash Keller finds himself tortured with guilt and sets upon a journey of discovery to find out who was responsible and how he managed to survive. This collection is a must have for any serious horror fan.