REVIEW: 4K of Lucio Fulci's City Of The Living Dead aka The Gates Of Hell From Cauldron Films

[@anick5026]

For those fellow OCDers out there: the UHD/BR case / slipcover and the soundtrack will all fit in one of Vinegar Syndrome’s VSA sized plastic protector sleeves (and the poster fits in the amaray case and the sticker sheet fits inside the slip).

[@williamblasko1031]

What an awesome film. I actually have a tattoo from the cover of Gates of Hell. One of the first gory movies I ever saw as a kid. Bought the trilogy set on bluray a few years back. Still holds up.

[@RichardDiaz]

That is so awesome! I can't think of a more perfect tattoo to get! That Gates Of Hell cover is one of my favorite video store memories because I was always so fascinated by the VHS cover. I used to stare at it and wonder what that film was about. It was a few years before I could rent it. lol

[@williamblasko1031]

@@RichardDiaz My dad would rent my mom "garbage" when I was young because he hated horror movies. She'd watch em about 30 minutes in and bring them to me to enjoy. This and Two Thousand Maniacs! were 2 movies I saw as an 80s middle school kid that I thought were the best thing ever! H.G. Lewis and Fulci were MASTERS of their art and my folks thought it was trash. Come to think of it they hated Slayer as well.....

[@cblack1515]

Really stoked to see that films like this are not only getting 4K releases, but the effort being put into them by producing all the extras and soundtracks and posters is really awesome. Now let's get Pumpkinhead on 4K!!!

[@Bloodsport1]

You got it kid,

[@ZiggyOHS]

I distinctly remember when this was released theatrically in my neck of the woods in the spring of 1983

[@stephenmccurley3018]

I watched mine yesterday and wow what an upgrade the transfer was amazing and the soundtrack track was a true upgrade!!!

[@Jay828__]

Appreciate the rundown. You've convinced me to get the standard version even though i have the BU, Arrow slipcase and Arrow boxset 😅 The Gates of Hell VHS version will be some sweet nostalgia

[@midlifemedia]

One thing that's kinda crazy is turns out the standard edition is the exact same, same discs, same slipcase even! It's only missing the audio CD, stickers, and poster. Not a huge deal as I'm just happy to have this, but I definitely would have saved some money had they said that from the beginning or posted both versions for sale from the beginning.

[@DamageInc-nx9gu]

Mine came last week, and I didn’t have the time to watch it, but I’ll definitely watch it this weekend.

[@bmg5015]

I got mine in today as well. I'm very excited about this one, and the extras are awesome. The last time I saw it, it looked pretty decent, but I'm excited to see how this 4K looks to me

[@HorrorFreakNY]

This is an amazing release! They actually have some copies of this special edition still available on their website! Cant wait to get mine, thanks for posting the video!

[@Captainhorror]

Such an awesome release. So happy I picked up this bundle with the sticker sheet and the soundtrack. And wtf!! I had no idea about the VHS version was included as a secret feature! 😳🤯 Thank you so much for sharing that. Makes this release so much better! 🔥 Also, the standard release will in fact include the slip case. Which I think is awesome for those who chose to wait. Awesome review as usual dude. 💯🤘🏻🪦💀💿

[@RichardDiaz]

Thank you so much CH! When I saw that VHS version in there it was like finding a treasure chest. lol I was sooooo happy! I watched a bit of it too. A bit hard to watch since it's obviously low quality but man was it fun to have on there. Also a good example of how so many of us first saw the film. I just noticed that a bit ago about the slipcase. It looks like it's a Diabolik exclusive but the standard retail version won't have it. But I love that people can still get it because I do love that outer case.

[@Captainhorror]

@@RichardDiaz Oh ok. Yes it’s exclusive to Diabolik. Didn’t realize that. Oh man I watched the whole thing in the VHS version. Definitely much lower quality but it’s serious nostalgia for me watching any Horror film in VHS quality. So blown away my that being included as a secret feature. I’m even more excited for future Cauldron releases just for that. I do enjoy the transfer as well, it looks great but I’m watching it on a PS5. I’m sure I’d get an even better experience if I had the player you have. I love it though. 💯🔥🪦💀

[@HypeIsHereMedia]

I am so happy I got this. Got mine in yesterday and was blown away with the included poster and flip artwork also. Plan on listening to the soundtrack after I watch it in 4K for the first time. BTW, I laughed out loud at 3:42 where the disk magically is flipped up after the cut lol (which is the right way btw, I am the same). Great review! I will say it again, we have a lot to look forward to. I am hoping they put Killer Klowns From Outer Space out on 4k at some point soon

[@hectormontalvo5565]

I just got my copy today haven't seen it yet. I saw The Gates Of Hell in theaters when I was 14 with my older girlfriend. Or I should say tried because she was getting scared and grabbed my head covering my eyes. I didn't fully enjoy the movie. So on the last day in its last screening I went to see it alone. The movie was no one under 17 but they let me pass because I was well developed and I shaved since 12! I saw the Emerald Jungle at this age too! Well the screening was packed and nobody else could get in. But there was so many people left outside that they opened up a midnight screening! Yes!!! So we go in to be scared. During the intestines vomiting scene some guy had a medical emergency, his heart maybe, and the paramedics came to take him away. People began murmuring that it was because the graphic movie! Well the movie ended at 2:00am and at that time there's no buses or taxis so I had to walk home. A part of the area was full of trees and every sound I heard I thought it was a zombie lol!😂 I arrived home at around 3:00am! This was the last time I was scared by a movie. Anyway good review and cool video Richard!👉😃👈

[@bradenhogan2]

Thanks for the reviews. I haven’t seen this one but was thinking of picking it up because I like Zombie

[@tonyeckman4822]

Classick Spine Wrenching Cult Chiller! Proudly own it on VHS.

[@dduffee64]

Got this yesterday along with matrin. 👍

[@tonyeckman4822]

Two stellar pickups!

[@dancole6867]

I noticed the fluctuation you talk of prior to watching this video and not having seen other releases contacted cauldron and they said it shouldn’t be there. Glad to know I’m not crazy. Happens right after the maggot shower. Most apparent when they shift to boy and the phone then pan to lights on ceiling.

[@chloeadams10]

His masterpiece

[@markdohrmann5983]

I got my copy and I can’t wait to dig into it! It’s been way too long since I’ve seen it.

[@FulciLives1996]

I kinda like the colors on the Scorpion bluray a bit more. They just seem to pop more in my opinion. Especially in the scenes when they go in the cemetery caves towards the end of the movie. I'm still loving this 4K release though.

[@waynevia6976]

I got the gates of hell/ psycho from texas drive-in double feature from Dark force entertainment. I really need to upgrade soon.

[@marc5891]

Thank You Richard for an amazing review on this All-Time-Classic!!! Unfortunately i was forced to purchase the complete set on E-Bay, since it's been sold out on Cauldron & Diabolik for months. That's OK. I'm sure the $89.00 will be worth it. You've sold me!!!!!

[@johncooley4472]

So jealous! Awesome pick up!

[@mg-ThisHandleIsSoStupid]

I can see why they did the soundtrack separately as now they have a standard release that is with the slip and they can just not include all the extra stuff that is separate but it is ready to go.

[@steveweiner7471]

Got mine today. Thanks for the heads up on the Still Gallery left arrow easter egg. Did you also click the right arrow? Get to see naked photos of Christopher George!

[@Barot8]

Such a great cover too! I hope to grab the standard release. I checked and oddly I'm missing a bluray copy of the movie. I do have it on dvd somewhere. Disc in sleeved cardboard make me crazy too. I buy extra empty cases to put stuff in those instead. Really nice cover art. On that color problem, I remember the scene and issue on other editions. This could be the best pressing we'll ever see. Many thanks for the info and the preview of what came with the edition Richard! What would you say was your favorite Fulci film?

[@RichardDiaz]

I saw that the standard retail version should be coming later this year and that should be available from most places. Definitely worth getting. That color shifting issue has been there for while. Sad to see it happen but man I am amazed how well they could deal with it on this release. Favorite Fulci film would probably be Zombie because it was the first (I think it was anyway lol) of his films I ever saw and I just loved it. It was one of the films that got me into Italian horror so it's hard to separate the personal aspects. What is your favorite Fulci film?

[@Barot8]

@@RichardDiaz Mine would also probably be Zombie. When I first saw it in the theaters I mistakenly thought George Romero was involved. Still it was a pleasant surprise.

[@jayzee5351]

Great review 👍 Arrow did similar VHS extra with Don't Go in the House Limited edition. Be nice if more companies did this. Particularly for horror films/video nasties 😊

[@chrispate1567]

cool... i dohave the standard dvd,but i think limited edition.

[@jameswasman8046]

cool i get mine on monday

[@bioshock6935]

I like the art work shame it wasn't made for 4k steelbook version maybe they might bring one out in the near future with The beyond as well. This is what i wanted done with return of the living dead 4k and part 2 as a collected limited edition with all the goodies posters and a cd soundtrack it would really sell well.

[@lexavi80]

This isn't Vinegar Syndrome. What studio is releasing it?

[@hectormontalvo5565]

Cauldron Films.🤔

[@TimHayes]

Weren't the last two bluray releases(Arrow and Scorpion) sourced from 4K scans?

[@masterofmetal15]

Hey Richard, this may be a dumb question regarding this Cauldron version, but does the bluray have the same restoration on it as the 4k disc? Like the bluray isn't just a repackage of the Blue Underground or some older scan, is it? I just want to make sure the whole thing has Cauldron's new restoration on it. Thanks so much!

[@RichardDiaz]

Great question! I should have said it in the video. It does have the new transfer on it. And it is really impressive. I actually upped my thoughts even more on it when I did my year end favorites last year. It's a really amazing release.

[@masterofmetal15]

@RichardDiaz that is wonderful news, i can't thank you enough, Richard! I love Gates of Hell so much and wanted to check the Cauldron release out. It's also nice to hear the color fluctuation section is more evened out here, that was the only thing i found odd about the Scorpion version. I really do appreciate you taking the time to help me and share the information. Thank you again Richard, i hope you're well 😊.

[@RichardDiaz]

@@masterofmetal15 I'm really happy I could help! The work they did on the fluctuation for those few scenes is amazing. If you look for it you can still see it slightly but if I didn't know it was there I wouldn't have noticed it at all. Let me know what you think of this release when you get it. I think you are going to be really happy with it.

[@masterofmetal15]

@@RichardDiaz will do, absolutely! I may have to give it two watches just because of the vhs version too, haha. I'll be in touch soon, thanks so much Richard!! 😀

[@RichardDiaz]

@@masterofmetal15 The VHS version is such a cool easter egg. I love that they included it. And you bet! Can't wait to hear your thoughts!

[@boldandbrashbelongsinthetr3016]

i couldn’t buy mine on time and now im looking at the 137 dollar price for it on ebay😪

[@RichardDiaz]

The regular release which does come with all three discs (just not the soundtrack and the poster) is coming out this August. I'd say don't spend that much and hold out for the regular release.

[@JasonSum1979]

Your review was really awesome! made me feel much better about buying this…. it arrived today worked a 12.5 graveyard shift woke up to get the package at the mailbox and to be honest wasn’t digging the packaging (The Slipcase feels very cheap/flimsy but, didn’t even have time to crack open the case (I do love the soundtrack though) The release sounds very good! i’m less conflicted by the purchase thanks to your review! Thx much 👍👍❤👍👍

[@CarlosTorres_66]

Sadly I just came across this video and it's already sold out 🥲