by Ben Bussey

One for the UK readers here. Just when I was this close to posting a review of the new Region 2 edition of Two Evil Eyes – the Edgar Allan Poe-themed double feature from George A. Romero and Dario Argento, which stars Adrienne Barbeau and Harvey Keitel – word comes from our good friends at The Associates that the DVD’s release – originally due February – has been delayed. Here’s their official explanation:

Responding to early feedback to its forthcoming DVD release of Two Evil Eyes (as announced in last week’s Update), Arrow Video has decided that not only can a better job be done on the presentation of this title, but that it is also important that fans have faith in the quality of Arrow Video releases, can see that every reasonable effort has been made to make sure that is the case, and that they can be justifiably excited that a film is getting the full Arrow Video treatment. To this end, Arrow Video has taken the exceptional step to halt production of the Two Evil Eyes DVD to allow time for the production of a better quality disc. April 2010 is now the anticipated month of release. We will confirm the actual release date as soon as we can.

I realise this might not be ‘big news,’ exactly, but I considered it worth sharing as an illustration of just how great Arrow Video are. As I have in my possession a copy of the DVD as it was set to be released, I can honestly say I was pretty happy with it; maybe the picture could’ve stood to be a bit cleaner, but to my mind that’s not too big a deal with a movie like this one. A less-than-pristine look only adds to the old school charm, and Arrow are all about that with their horror releases. Look at their recent rosta: Street Trash, Silent Night Deadly Night, The House By The Cemetery. Look at the gloriously lurid video nasty cover art they’ve given all these releases. Look at the fact they call themselves Arrow Video! These guys are all about honouring the bygone age of horror VHS, paying full respect to these least respectable of films. That they choose to hold back a release so late in the day in order to go the extra mile really does speak volumes. I say bravo, and look forward to more such work from them in the future.

So all being well we should have the Two Evil Eyes Region 2 DVD in April; look for our review around then. And in the meantime, feast your eyes on this delightfully lurid cover art…