In the midst of the European witch trials, a small Austrian town is subject to the sadistic whims of self-appointed witchfinder Albino, who inflicts torture and agonizing death on those he accuses of conspiracy with the Devil. But when the zealous Lord Cumberland arrives, along with his executioner and aristocratic young attendant Christian, to take over the responsibility of local witch-hunting, the town is plunged into even greater depths of terror and depravity as he metes out ever more brutal tortures on the populace, all in the name of God. As Lord Cumberland’s maniacal practices reach a fever pitch, and Christian’s would-be love interest, Vanessa, ends up as his latest target, Christian is thrown into a crisis of faith, as the perilous edge of violence draws ever closer.
The result of an intensely troubled production which saw British writer/director Michael Armstrong (House of the Long Shadows) virtually at war with producer, famed Austrian actor Adrian Hoven (Kiss Me Monster), MARK OF THE DEVIL became an immediate international hit, generating equal parts acclaim and condemnation, with the film being banned in the United Kingdom and promoted in the U.S. by infamous distributor Hallmark Releasing with vomit bags and the slogan “Rated V for Violence!” Featuring the first starring role for future genre icon Udo Kier (Flesh for Frankenstein), the film set a new benchmark for onscreen bloodshed with its graphic and unflinching portrayal of torture and dismemberment, culminating in the much-talked about tongue-ripping scene. Vinegar Syndrome is delighted to present the UHD world premiere of MARK OF THE DEVIL, restored in 4K from the original 35mm camera negative, in this extras-packed edition that’s sure to shock and appall moral crusaders everywhere!
directed by: Michael Armstrong, Adrian Hoven
starring: Udo Kier, Herbert Lom, Olivera Katarina, Reggie Nalder, Herbert Fux, Johannes Buzalski, Gaby Fuchs, Ingeborg Schöner
1970 / 98 min / 1.66:1 / English & German Mono
Additional info:
3-disc Set: 4K Ultra HD / Region A Blu-ray x2
4K UHD presented in High-Dynamic-Range
Newly scanned and restored in 4K from its 35mm original camera negative
Commentary track with director Michael Armstrong, moderated by Calum Waddell
“Performing God’s Work” – a new interview with director Michael Armstrong
“The Devil’s Apprentice” – a new interview with actor Udo Kier
“Words of the Devil” – a brief guide to the screenplays of Michael Armstrong with lecturer and film historian Dr. Adrian Smith
“A Hell of a Place” – the locations of MARK OF THE DEVIL
“Mark of the Times” – a documentary from 2014 on the new wave of British horror filmmakers which emerged in the ’60s and ’70s
“Hallmark of the Devil” – author and filmmaker Michael Gingold on Hallmark Releasing, the controversial distributor behind MARK OF THE DEVIL’s original U.S. release
2013 Q&A with director Michael Armstrong
Archival interview with actor Herbert Fux
Archival interview with actress Gaby Fuchs
Archival interview with actress Ingeborg Schöner
Archival interview with composer Michael Holm
Archival audio interview with actor Herbert Lom
Outtakes
Alternate German language title sequence
Archival artwork & image gallery
English trailer
Reversible cover artwork
English SDH subtitles
