The deeper I delve into writing, the more movies and literature I digest. My biggest obstacle at this point is not finding the material, it’s finding the time to watch it, and the money to purchase it all. After consistently emptying my bank account on countless DVD’s and books over the last few months, I really started to ask myself one question: How the hell can I pick all this stuff up quickly and affordably? Well, an obvious solution occurred to me - why not seek out box sets?
While Ebay is my one stop shop for books (I recommend it to all), DVD’s are not always as easy to track down, so I decided to highlight 15 cool box sets which will enable you to beef up your collection without breaking your pocket book.
OMEN: PENTOLOGY is a five disc DVD set (UK Release) which features the original OMEN in a double disc special edition, plus all three (DAMIEN: OMEN II, OMEN III: THE FINAL CONFLICT, OMEN IV: THE AWAKENING) of it’s direct sequels, and the 2006 remake starring Liev Schreiber. The set is a must for fans of the wildly popular franchise.
PRICE RANGE: $69.99-$89.99 or $21.99-$29.99 for the U.S. version
The ALFRED HITCHCOCK MASTERPIECE COLLECTION is a personal favorite of mine. The set includes most of Hitchcock’s best work-VERTIGO, THE BIRDS, REAR WINDOW, MARNIE, FRENZY, TOPAZ, THE TROUBLE WITH HARRY, TORN CURTAIN, PSYCHO, FAMILY PLOT, SABOTEUR, SHADOW OF A DOUBT, MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH, and ROPE are all made available here with a surprisingly low price tag to boot.
PRICE RANGE: $59.99-$119.99
ULTIMATE HAMMER (UK Release) is a 21 disc collection featuring some of Hammers brighter offerings. The 21 films included in this collection are BLOOD FROM THE MUMMIES TOMB, DEMONS OF THE MIND, THE DEVIL RIDES OUT, DRACULA PRINCE OF DARKNESS, FEAR IN THE NIGHT, FRANKENSTEIN CREATED WOMAN, THE HORROR OF FRANKENSTEIN, THE NANNY, ONE MILLION YEARS BC, THE PLAGUE OF THE ZOMBIES, PREHISTORIC WOMEN, QUARTERMASS AND THE PITT, RASPUTIN THE MAD MONK, THE REPTILE, SCARS OF DRACULA, SHE, STRAIGHT ON TILL MORNING, TO THE DEVIL A DAUGHTER, THE VENGEANCE OF SHE, THE VIKING QUEEN, and THE WITCHES. There’s also a nifty set of six collectable cards and a 22 page HAMMER booklet included in the set.
PRICE RANGE: $119.99-$179.99
THE BAVA BOXSET VOLUME I & II feature a total of 13 films from the master of giallo, Mario Bava. Volume I features BLACK SUNDAY, BLACK SABBATH, THE GIRL WHO KNEW TOO MUCH, KNIVES OF THE AVENGER, and KILL BABY KILL. Volume II features LISA AND THE DEVIL, HOUSE OF EXORCISM, BAY OF BLOOD, TORTURE CHAMBER OF BARON BLOOD, KIDNAPPED, ROY COLT AND WINCHESTER JACK, 5 DOLLS FOR AN AUGUST MOON and FOUR TIMES THAT NIGHT. This is an overall stellar collection for an unbelievably cheap price!
PRICE RANGE: $19.99-$39.99 (per set)
MASTERS OF HORROR is an Emmy and Saturn award winning series which features (between the two seasons) a total of 26 one hour long films by some of the genre’s most recognized (including Dario Argento, Don Coscarelli, Tobe Hooper, John Carpenter, John Landis and many more) contributors. Season one features CHOCOLATE, CIGARETTE BURNS, DANCE OF THE DEAD, DEER WOMAN, DREAMS IN THE WITCH-HOUSE, THE FAIR-HAIRED CHILD, HAECKEL’S TALE, HOMECOMING, IMPRINT, INCIDENT ON AND OFF A MOUNTAIN ROAD, JENIFER, PICK ME UP, and SICK GIRL. Season two features THE BLACK CAT, THE DAMNED THING, DREAM CRUISE, PELTS, PRO-LIFE, FAMILY, RIGHT TO DIE, THE SCREWFLY SOLUTION, SOUNDS LIKE, THE V WORD, VALERIE ON THE STAIRS, THE WASHINGTONIANS, and WE ALL SCREAM FOR ICE CREAM. While these may not be full feature length films, there are quite a few extremely impressive offerings amongst both seasons.
PRICE RANGE: $47.99-$79.99 (per set) Season One, Season Two, Season One (Blu-Ray)
6 FILMS TO KEEP YOU AWAKE is a four disc set of (six) films from some of Spain’s best directors. BLAME, SPECTRE, CHRISTMAS TALE, A REAL FRIEND, THE BABY’S ROOM and TO LET are featured. I highly recommend this collection!
PRICE RANGE: $19.99-$39.99
The STEPHEN KING DVD SET (a pretty vague title given the man’s vast body of work) features five fine television adaptations of the modern master of horror's work- DIARY OF ELLEN RIMBAUER, ROSE RED, THE SHINING (TV), STORM OF THE CENTURY, IT and Tobe Hooper’s SALEM’S LOT.
PRICE RANGE: $24.99-$39.99
5 FILMS BY DARIO ARGENTO contains DO YOU LIKE HITCHCOCK?, TRAUMA, THE CARD PLAYER, TENEBRE and PHENOMENA. While a few of Argento’s finest are obviously absent from this collection, it’s still a great buy and a solid group of films for any collector.
PRICE RANGE: $27.99-$44.99
GHOST HOUSE UNDERGROUND is an 8 film set which boasts a few truly inspired pieces of work sure to satisfy most horror fans. The pictures include BROTHERHOOD OF BLOOD, DANCE OF THE DEAD, DARK FLOORS, LAST HOUSE IN THE WOODS, NO MAN’S LAND, ROOM 205, THE SUBSTITUTE, and TRACKMAN. I recommend this collection on the strength of THE SUBSTITUTE and DANCE OF THE DEAD alone.
PRICE RANGE: $99.99-$159.99
The A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET COLLECTION is a must have for most collectors. This set holds the first six films in the series, as well as WES CRAVEN’s NEW NIGHTMARE and THE NIGHTMARE SERIES ENCYCLOPEDIA. For the Freddy freaks, this collection is unbeatable!
PRICE RANGE: $22.99-$49.99
FROM CRYSTAL LAKE TO MANHATTAN is a five disc set containing the first eight FRIDAY THE 13TH pictures. While a few features in this franchise are missing from this box set, it’s a fine start for collectors who somehow still don’t own these campy classics.
PRICE RANGE: $44.99-$79.99
HALLOWEEN 30TH ANNIVERSARY BOX SET includes a restored version as well as an extended version of the original HALLOWEEN, HALLOWEEN 4: THE RETURN OF MICHAEL MYERS, HALLOWEEN 5: THE REVENGE OF MICHAEL MYERS, HALLOWEEN: 25 YEARS OF TERROR DOCUMENTARY, and a copy of the original film on Blu-Ray. While this set doesn’t complete the collection, the extended version of the original is worth checking out, and the documentary is an enjoyable edition.
PRICE RANGE: $54.99-$89.99
THE JOHN CARPENTER COLLECTION (UK RELEASE) is a seven disc set including HALLOWEEN, ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK, THE THING, THE FOG, THEY LIVE, ASSAULT ON PRECINCT 13, and PRINCE OF DARKNESS. It’s pretty rare to see a box set include nearly every masterpiece made by any single director, but this one makes it happen. Some of the absolute best Carpenter films you can find are right here, all together in one set.
PRICE RANGE: $44.99-$89.99
So there you have it. Enough fuel to ignite your hearts horrific desires. Whether you’re as obsessed as I am, or just a casual fan, this list should help you to put a little meat on the bones of your horror heap.
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bill makes this comment
Tue 03 Feb 2009 19:44:44 CST
shugh makes this comment
Mon 02 Feb 2009 21:50:26 CST
matt mills makes this comment
Mon 26 Jan 2009 02:45:14 CST