The Criterion Collection

Carnival of Souls

Edition no. 63

Carnival of Souls - The Criterion Collection 2000 DVD ( USA) Carnival of Souls - The Criterion Collection 2016 Blu-ray ( USA) Carnival of Souls - The Criterion Collection 2016 DVD ( USA)
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  • Release Date: Tuesday, 16 May 2000
  • Country of Release: USA
  • MSRP: $39.95
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Carnival of Souls
Licensor Information
Harold Harvey and John Clifford
Directed by: Herk Harvey
Herk Harvey’s macabre masterpiece gained a cult following through late night television and has been bootlegged for years. Made by industrial filmmakers on a modest budget, Carnival of Souls was intended to have the “look of a Bergman” and “feel of a Cocteau,” and succeeds with its strikingly used locations and spooky organ score. Mary Henry (Candace Hilligoss) survives a drag race in a rural Kansas town, then takes a job as a church organist in Salt Lake City. En route, she becomes haunted by a bizarre apparition that compels her to an abandoned lakeside pavilion. Criterion is proud to present the ultimate special edition of this eerily effective B-movie classic that continues to inspire filmmakers today.
  • Year: 1962
  • Time: 78 min.

Details by Film

Streaming information not available for this title.

Release Information:

Technical Specifications

Format:
DVD
Discs:
DVD-9 (2 Discs)
Total: 2 Discs
Regions:
1/2/3/4/5/6 (DVD)
Aspect Ratio:
1.33:1
Audio Options:
English Dolby Digital Mono 1.0
Resolution:
480p/29.97
Subtitles:
English

Supplements

Types of Supplements Included: Feature Film, Documentary, Outtakes, Theatrical Trailer, Mulitimedia Essay, Video Presentation, Audio Commentary, Short Film, Text, Insert
  • Both the theatrical version and the director's cut included
  • The Movie That Wouldn't Die! The Story of Carnival of Souls: a documentary on the 1989 reunion of the cast and crew
  • More than 45 minutes of rare outtakes accompanied by Gene Moore’s organ score
  • Theatrical trailer
  • An illustrated history of the Saltair resort in Salt Lake City
  • The Carnival Tour: a video update on the film
  • Selected audio commentary on the director's cut by screenwriter John Clifford and late director Herk Harvey
  • One hour of excerpts from films made by the Centron Corporation, an industrial film company based in Lawrence, Kansas that employed Harvey and Clifford for over thirty years
  • An essay on the history of Centron from Ken Smith
  • Printed interviews with Herk Harvey, John Clifford, and star Candace Hilligoss, illustrated with vintage photos and memorabilia
  • Insert featuring an essay by Bruce Kawin and a note by John Clifford

Forum Member Statistics

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Film
7.3200/10
Picture
7.6667/10
Audio
6.6667/10
Supplements
8.2000/10
Artwork
8.3333/10

Release Credits

Producer: Susan Arosteguy
Artwork: Olga Krigman

Release Notes on Restoration

Carnival of Souls
The original theatrical version of Carnival of Souls is presented in its original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.33:1. This new digital transfer was created from a duplicate negative, the most original existing film element available. The sound was created from an optical soundtrack negative.