October 5, 2016

Introduction

The first time I saw Hellraiser, was back in the fall of 1989 on a Saturday night with a group of dormies (on-campus college mates), on the ground floor of the building, located in an isolated and small room which had a 19" CRT television. Having a small room to show movies was something relatively new, and it was also a great place to potentially pick-up some hot chicks.

Having only a few dozen of those cheap fold-out metal chairs you'd find at a typical church potluck, and a small table in a corner of the room which supported various soda (i.e., non-alcoholic as the rules were the rules) refreshments and paper cups. These were the kinds of cups where if you decided to keep your drink in it over 30 minutes...the contents would soak through the bottom of the cup, and onto to the floor. A few bags of Cheetos (probably why I munch on Cheetos during my favorite horror flicks to this day) and various potato chips were also offered. This was a really nice and comfortable setting, just for those who dormed at this particular building. And of course, a great way to get to know people, as they would more than likely be studying for a year at the least, and having some sort of connection — in this case a Hellraiser fan or scared senseless participant.

Before Clive Barker's presentation, I had never seen such a horror film being presented. The most controversial horror film I had seen, being 19 years old, was The Thing, directed by John Carpenter. And of course, I had memorized almost all the Halloween and Friday The 13th movies up until that point, but they weren't particularly "scary". Xtro was probably one of those most bizarre horror films I saw, which wasn't the greatest horror movie but it did leave some graphically memorable scenes (I cringe whenever people walk on all fours).

Knowing my horror viewing history somewhat, you would have assumed logically, that I was well-prepared for what was going to develop over the next hour and a half or so (and then another round with Hellraiser II), as I sat down in the very uncomfortable chair with my root beer and Cheetos. But of course, I was not prepared, and thus, the Hellraiser series became my most favorite horror series ever.

Packaging

Packaging for Hellraiser: The Scarlet Box is a certainly a limited edition. Only 5,000 were made according to Arrow Films, and these sold out rather quickly. Unfortunately, I do have to comment about the external box cover, which if you look across the net for images, you see a dimensional image with Pinhead slightly recessed back into the box. But this type of packaging was not ever manufactured for public availability, and it may have been only a preliminary artwork possibility (i.e., Artwork TBD). It's really too bad this type of packaging wasn't pursued further, because it would have looked amazing.

Setting wishful packaging aside, what we have is still something to be admired from Arrow Films. If you have never purchased a limited edition box set from them, please visit Arrow Video's website and take a look at what they have to offer. In my opinion, Arrow is at the very top of the list (which is a small list) of studios who take time in producing some amazing work for movie fans. And if you like special booklets and mini-books...Arrow is for you.

The Scarlet Box

The Scarlet Box has a really nice and rich color to the overall design, but the case is exceptional. As you can see, my box has a little dent in the lower-right corner thanks to not having it properly protected. I'm still glad to have a copy, however. Also, for those who steal my images, digitaldingus viewers will know if they see this image elsewhere...that website stole my image. A natural watermark!

The back of the Scarlet Box has some pretty nice artwork, that can only be appreciated close up.

The inside is where some really creative touches can be seen.

On the right-side of the Scarlet Box, you'll have a "diamond" shape form when the top and bottom parts of the box are together, revealing the spines of the disc holders.

Damnation Games Book

The Damnation Games 200-page mini-book is just about worth the price of this set alone. Take the time to read all the material inside, as well as paying attention to the artwork which is provided on several pages throughout the book. The only issue I have with Arrow is not providing a PDF version of this book to read. Why? Because this book has so much content that you will want to read over and over...and combined with the collectability of this book...it would get worn out over a short period of time.

Scarlet Box Disc Packaging

Each disc of The Scarlet Box set is packaged in a special thin disc holder with a flap, and cover art on the back and the front. Presented below is Hellraiser and Hellraiser II in the top image (left to right), and Hellraiser 3 and The Clive Barker Legacy Bonus Disc in the bottom of the image (from left to right).

Scarlet Box Postcards

A total of five postcards are offered, with unique artwork. If you're REALLY going to mail these out to your friends...make sure your friends know how awesome you truly are!

Scarlet Box Extras

From the image below, you have a 19-page Concept Art booklet and a fold-out poster, housed in a double-pocket package. This is also where the postcards are stored.

Video & Screencaps

Since this review is of three films and the Clive Barker Legacy Bonus Disc, please reference the particular film and disc you want to specifically see the screenshots for below.

Hellraiser

Hellraiser II: Hellbound

Hellraiser III: Hell On Earth

The Clive Barker Legacy Bonus Disc

Extras

Extras for Hellraiser: The Scarlet Box are bountiful. Let's take a look at the breakdown. The following information is mostly taken from Arrow Films themselves, as they are the most reliable when it comes to what's on a disc. And after all...they produced it!

4-DISC LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS

• Brand new 2K restorations of Hellraiser, Hellbound: Hellraiser II, and Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth
• Uncompressed PCM Stereo 2.0 and Lossless DTS-HD MA 5.1 sound for Hellraiser and Hellbound: Hellraiser II
• Lossless DTS-HD MA 2.0 sound for Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth
• English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing for all three films
• Limited Edition bonus disc
• Exclusive 200-page hardback book with new writing from Clive Barker archivists Phil and Sarah Stokes
• 20-page booklet featuring never-before-seen original Hellraiser concept art
• Limited Edition packaging with new artwork from Gilles Vranckx
• Set of 5 exclusive art cards
• Fold-out reversible poster

DISC 1 – HELLRAISER

• Brand new 2K restoration approved by director of photography Robin Vidgeon
• Audio commentary with writer/director Clive Barker
• Audio commentary with Barker and actress Ashley Laurence
• Leviathan: The Story of Hellraiser – brand new version of the definitive documentary on the making of Hellraiser, featuring interviews with key cast and crew members
• Being Frank: Sean Chapman on Hellraiser – actor Sean Chapman talks candidly about playing the character of Frank Cotton in Barker’s original
• Soundtrack Hell: The Story of the Abandoned Coil Score – Coil member Stephen Thrower on the Hellraiser score that almost was
• Hellraiser: Resurrection – vintage featurette including interviews with Clive Barker, actors Doug Bradley and Ashley Laurence, special make-up effects artist Bob Keen and others
• Under the Skin: Doug Bradley on Hellraiser
• Original EPK featuring on-set interviews with cast and crew
• Draft Screenplays [BD-ROM content]
• Trailers and TV Spots
• Image Gallery

DISC 2 – HELLBOUND: HELLRAISER II

• Brand new 2K restoration approved by director of photography Robin Vidgeon
• Audio Commentary with director Tony Randel and writer Peter Atkins
• Audio Commentary with Randel, Atkins and actress Ashley Laurence
• Leviathan: The Story of Hellbound: Hellraiser II – brand new version of the definitive documentary on the making of Hellbound, featuring interviews with key cast and crew members
• Being Frank: Sean Chapman on Hellbound – actor Sean Chapman talks about reprising the role of Frank Cotton in the first Hellraiser sequel
• Surgeon Scene – the home video world premiere of this legendary, never before-seen excised sequence from Hellbound, sourced from a VHS workprint
• Lost in the Labyrinth – vintage featurette including interviews with Barker, Randel, Keen, Atkins and others
• Under the Skin: Doug Bradley on Hellbound: Hellraiser II
• On-set interview with Clive Barker
• On-set interviews with cast and crew
• Behind-the-Scenes Footage
• Rare and unseen storyboards
• Draft Screenplay [BD-ROM content]
• Trailers and TV Spots
• Image Gallery

DISC 3 – HELLRAISER III: HELL ON EARTH

• Brand new 2K restoration of the Original Theatrical Version [93 mins]
• Alternate Unrated Version [97 mins]
• Brand new audio commentary with writer Peter Atkins
• Audio commentary with director Anthony Hickox and Doug Bradley
• Hell on Earth: The Story of Hellraiser III – making-of documentary featuring interviews with Atkins, Keen and actor Ken Carpenter
• Terri’s Tales – brand new interview with actress Paula Marshall
• Under the Skin: Doug Bradley on Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth
• Raising Hell on Earth – archival interview with Hickox
• On-set interviews with Barker and Bradley
• Never-before-seen Hellraiser III SFX dailies
• Theatrical Trailer
• Image Gallery
• Hellraiser III comic book adaptation [Disc gallery]

DISC 4 – THE CLIVE BARKER LEGACY – LIMITED EDITION EXCLUSIVE

• Clive Barker short films Salomé and The Forbidden
• Books of Blood & Beyond: The Literary Works of Clive Barker – horror author David Gatward provides a tour through Barker’s written work, from the first Books of Blood to the recent The Scarlet Gospels
• Hellraiser: Evolutions – a brand new documentary looking at the evolution of the hit horror franchise and its enduring legacy, featuring interviews with Scott Derrickson (director, Hellraiser: Inferno), Rick Bota (director, Hellraiser: Hellseeker, Deader and Hellworld), Stuart Gordon (director, Re-Animator, From Beyond) and others
• The Hellraiser Chronicles: A Question of Faith – short film

200-PAGE BOOK – ‘DAMNATION GAMES’ – LIMITED EDITION EXCLUSIVE

• Exclusive 200-page hardback book with new writing on Hellraiser and the Barker universe from Barker archivists Phil and Sarah Stokes – including chapters looking at Barker’s early work, the genesis and production of the first 3 films in the Hellraiser series and much more, all illustrated with stills and rare material from the Barker archive

Specifications

Aspect ratios for all three films are 1.85:1. The Clive Barker Legacy Bonus Disc has variable aspect ratios, which include 1.33:1.

Overall Scarlet Box Conclusion

Arrow Video's Hellraiser: The Scarlet Box is the best treatment of the first three movies from the Hellraiser series. Picture quality from all three has been improved significantly. Hellraiser and Hellbound: Hellraiser II both have richer reds, allowing for some nice bloody horrific scenes. At the same time, the viewer will also be able to distinguish between different shades and gradients of blood in certain scenes. Hellraiser III: Hell On Earth looked pretty good, and it's a treat that Arrow compiled the Unrated version as well as the theatrical version. The downside, is that there are not any surviving elements of the unrated footage, so you're left with fullscreen DVD-quality scenes cut into the HD theatrical version. Arrow did as best a job as they could, given what they had. The Clive Barker Legacy disc gives about 3 additional hours of footage, which includes the eccentric Salomé and The Forbidden short films by Clive Barker.

Given the amount of extras, improved video quality and original audio in all films, along with a truly unique package that any collector will enjoy, Hellraiser: The Scarlet Box from Arrow Video (Blu-Ray) receives a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED PLUS.

Why Such A Limited Edition

One of the only complaints I've heard so far is how limited this edition was, but more importantly, how few people knew this set was being released. I personally didn't know about it except for doing repeat business with Arrow Films, and seeing it offered up for pre-order on their website. What's also interesting, is I don't see anything about a US release of this trilogy in a special set of any sort or variation. I'm really surprised. I would have thought the US is the major country where the fans are.

5,000 units were made (or at least that's what was told the public), and this is rather a small production. I would have preferred around 7,500 or even 10,000 units. Arrow is currently still selling a different Hellraiser Trilogy set which is still worth what they are asking.

UPDATE! Arrow Releases US Scarlet Box!
October 28, 2016

I wanted to update this review. 10,000 units are being sold in the US. Arrow must have listened to my requests for a larger quanitity to satisfy the many Hellraiser fans in the US (and you are many). I really appreciate Arrow increasing their quantity on this amazing set, as well as making it available to US consumers.