As a seasoned film critic with decades of experience under my belt, I must say that the upcoming release of Russ Meyer’s “Vixen,” “Supervixens,” and “Beneath the Valley of the Ultravixens” by Severin Films is nothing short of exhilarating. Having witnessed the evolution of independent cinema, I can attest to Meyer’s significant contribution as a pioneer in the field. His unique style, often brash and provocative, yet undeniably captivating, has left an indelible mark on American cinema.
In December, three movies directed by Russ Meyer, whom film critic Roger Ebert referred to as “the ultimate mastermind” of exploitation films, will be released on traditional media formats.
Legendary independent filmmaker Russ Meyer’s estate has struck a deal with Severin Films to bring three of his iconic films – “Vixen”, “Supervixens”, and “Beneath the Valley of the Ultravixens” – out on home video for the first time in many years. Working together with Janice Cowart and The Russ Meyer Trust, Severin’s releases, available in 4K UHD, Blu-ray, and DVD formats, represent the first remastering of Meyer’s films from the original camera negatives since the early ’80s. These editions will feature both new and archival special features tailored specifically for these launches.
David Gregory, co-founder and CEO of Severin Films, praised Russ Meyer as one of the last significant figures in American cinema, stating this in a press release. He expressed gratitude for The Russ Meyer Trust’s backing, marking the start of what they hope will be a long-term and fruitful collaboration. The Severin Films team takes immense pride in their efforts to restore these iconic films for modern audiences and are eager to return Meyer’s classic collection to cinephiles worldwide.
In 1959, Meyer kicked off his directorial journey with “The Immoral Mr. Teas,” a comedy that raked in over $1 million on a budget of just $24,000, earning him the nickname “King of the Nudies.” Within five years, he moved towards more substantial filmmaking, creating films like “Mudhoney” and “Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!” that eventually gained cult status. Later, he directed “Beyond the Valley of the Dolls,” a parody sequel to “Valley of the Dolls,” written by Roger Ebert, with whom Meyer formed a close friendship and collaborative bond throughout his life. Over the course of more than five decades, Meyer directed over 20 films and around a dozen shorts.
Despite Meyer maintaining control over the movies he produced, the future of his groundbreaking film catalog was left uncertain after his passing in 2004, largely remaining inaccessible for contemporary audiences. In 2023, Severin Films reached out to The Russ Meyer Charitable Trust through his longtime executive assistant Janice Cowart, who at that time was the sole trustee responsible for preserving his work diligently since his demise. They presented a heartfelt proposal to restore and distribute several of his films.
Severin has pledged to go all out, investing time, energy, and cutting-edge technology, to honor these works with the highest possible quality, reflecting Meyer’s remarkable legacy. “Vixen,” “Supervixens,” and “Beneath the Valley of the Ultravixens” will kick off this collaboration as the first three films. The artwork for these movies will mimic the signature red “Bosomania” frames from previous releases, a homage to the iconic imagery that Meyer developed during his lifetime.
According to Cowart, the top priority for Russ Meyer was excellence. It brings great joy to RM Films that Severin Films accepted such a massive task to uphold Meyer’s standards, and we are thrilled that his movies will be accessible once more.
On December 3rd, you’ll find “Vixen”, “Supervixens”, and “Beneath the Valley of the Ultravixens” up for purchase on the Severin Films online store.
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2024-09-13 18:18