Tormented (1960) Blu-ray/DVD Review
Tormented (1960) Blu-ray/DVD Review
Newly restored in 4K from original, 35mm archival elements, the supernatural thriller TORMENTED (1960) will be available April 23 in a must-have collector’s edition loaded with bonus features, on Blu-ray and DVD from Film Masters.
Iconic cult film director Bert I. Gordon (EMPIRE OF THE ANTS, THE FOOD OF THE GODS, THE MAD BOMBER, THE CYCLOPS) helmed this story of passion from beyond the grave, starring Richard Carlson (CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON, IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE), Susan Gordon (BEN CASEY, THE FIVE PENNIES) and Lugene Sanders (THE LIFE OF RILEY).
In a tight-knit island community off the coast of California, Tom Stewart (Carlson) is about to marry the woman he loves (Sanders). All is well until Tom’s ex-girlfriend, Vi (Reding), confronts him at the top of the island’s lighthouse, claiming he is hers and hers alone! When a freak accident occurs, he refuses to intervene, allowing the scorned woman to fall to her death. But his relief soon fades as Vi’s vengeful spirit begins to follow him everywhere he goes. Tormented day and night, body, and soul, to what lengths will he go to protect his secret? Will the unrelenting she-ghost reveal herself to others? Find out in this harrowing tale of love and hate … caught between the worlds of the living and the dead!
It is because TORMENTED is directed by Bert I. Gordon – responsible for both the godawful EMPIRE OF THE ANTS (1977) and FOOD OF THE GODS (1976) – this film has been unfairly tarnished with the same brush and slated needlessly. TORMENTED is a delightfully silly supernatural flick that makes for a perfectly silly and agreeable viewing experience for those that can look beyond its cheap production values and limited locations.
Essentially TORMENTED is a variation of Edgar Allan Poe’s THE TELL-TALE HEART (1843) or even his THE BLACK CAT (1843) where the protagonist is haunted by his conscience. There are ghostly footprints appearing from person unseen in the beach sand, a washed-up body on the shore that on closer inspection turns out to be nothing more than seaweed and a phantom hand in the mix. It is all playful fun and ideal for a pleasingly diverting Sunday afternoon’s viewing.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
TORMENTED is presented with its original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1. Discs are region free and include English SDH. Audio is DTS-HD/Dolby AC3s.
Unreleased TV pilot of Famous Ghost Stories, made by Bert I. Gordon and hosted by Vincent Price; Mystery Science Theater 3000 version of Tormented (1992), full feature (1:33.1), with captions; new documentary by Ballyhoo Motion Pictures, Bert I. Gordon in the 1950s & 1960s: Bigger Than Life, featuring C. Courtney Joyner; archival interview with writer-producer-director Bert I. Gordon, Bert I. Gordon: The Amazing Colossal Filmmaker; feature essay by Tom Weaver with a bonus essay by John Wooley, former president of the Susan Gordon fan club and a personal friend of the actress; commentary provided by film historian-writer-filmmaker Gary Don Rhodes; new, visual essay by The Flying Maciste Brothers, The Spirit is Willing: CineMagic and Social Discord in Bert I. Gordon’s “Tormented”; original trailer, scanned in 4K from 35mm archival elements, presented in its raw format; as well as a recut trailer using restored film elements.
Genre: Horror/Thriller
Original Release: 1960 (B+W)
Not Rated
Format: Blu-ray & DVD
Running Time: Approx. 74 Minutes Plus Special Features
(162 Minutes Without Commentary / 232 minutes With Commentary)
Suggested Retail Price: Blu-ray $24.95 / DVD $19.95
Street Date: April 23, 2024
Catalog #: Blu-ray FMB010 / DVD FMD010
UPC Code: Blu-ray #760137145905 / DVD #760137145875
