Posts: 3523
From: Bristol,RI, USA
Registered: May 2010
posted August 18, 2011 01:50 PM
I just bought this on EbayUK. I think this is a rare find. I wonder what other classic sci-fi digests Mountain Films had? Anybody know?
Posts: 2941
From: Croydon, London, UK
Registered: Aug 2004
posted August 18, 2011 06:00 PM
Interesting to see this silent version - I can only previously recall hearing about the 4 x 400' feature. Unless anyone can correct me, I'm almost certain that there isn't a 400' sound version. I can't think of many Mountain sci-fi digests but they also released separate extracts from 'Day of the Triffids' on 400' and 200' reels (colour sound) and a 400' of 'Invaders From Mars' (col/snd). An oddity they released was a 400' silent digest (although it was no more than 300' of film) of 'The Quatermass Xperiment', which is baffling, as Derann clearly had the rights to it and released feature versions.
Posts: 3523
From: Bristol,RI, USA
Registered: May 2010
posted August 18, 2011 10:03 PM
I have Invaders From Mars and Day Of The Triffids. I would like to find Quatermass Experiment. If I remember correctly you don't see the creature in that film until the last ten minutes.
Posts: 3216
From: The Projection Box
Registered: Nov 2006
posted August 19, 2011 03:38 AM
You’ve fetched back some memories for me here Pasquele. Used to call at the shop regularly and ogle at the Mountain films I might one day own and eventually I realised the dream. Fiend without a face was a great issue from them and a popular one I understood at the time being available in various lengths with the most desirable the 4X400 sound print. When this 1958 gem directed by Arthur Crabtree was first shown in London it caused something of a public outcry, a bit like The Exorcist did and as far as I know a number of cuts were later made as result. As with all things Mountain you can squeeze the 4X400 ft print onto 2X600 reels and even today its still a edge of your seat film at times.
Mountain put out some obscure horror or semi horror material with a hefty catalogue films on offer. They came in a semi gloss finish box with Mountain on the side so quite easy to spot and were letter press printed for the most part making for a nice purchase at that time. I got to know the shop guys well and they used to pop films to one side for me if a new title was due out I had interest in and were very helpful.
Of course Kim Parker was rather nice to look at as well in this movie..
The trailer is also on YouTube to view.
[ August 19, 2011, 08:19 AM: Message edited by: Lee Mannering ]
Posts: 3523
From: Bristol,RI, USA
Registered: May 2010
posted August 19, 2011 09:09 AM
Lee
Thanks for the great response to my posting. Also, thanks for the poster. I am going to print it and put in on the back of the box. I agree about the film. The fiends were quite creepy then and now. This would be a great film to re-make with todays CGI effects. There is something really scarey about those brains with a spinal cord and antennae slithering about. Imagine this in color and 3D!
PatD
PS Did you notice that fiend is the word friend w/o the "R"?
Posts: 2941
From: Croydon, London, UK
Registered: Aug 2004
posted August 19, 2011 09:39 AM
Pasquale - once you have screened it, I'd be interested to know if it is an edited verion of the whole film, or is basically just the end but with an opening title tagged on. It's surprising they didn't issue a 400' sound version, which might have been popular.
What digest do you have for 'Day of the Triffids'? I expect one had the original title but I also remember having one called 'Blind Danger' and one called 'Invasion of the Plant Creatures'. I think the former was 400' and the latter 200'. Considering there was a full length feature, a 4 x 400' feature and even a scope 4 x 400', it must be one of the most 'chopped up' 8mm releases ever!
Posts: 421
From: Hillside, NJ USA
Registered: Jan 2004
posted August 20, 2011 09:23 AM
Pat
Mountain released Day of The Triffids in a 3 parter in color sound. I have then spliced on a 600' reel with good color. Sharp prints; well-edited. Unsure if Mountain released a feature out for this movie. I'm sure you know King Kong is in a feature my Mountain Films.
-------------------- "the image is about 30 feet ahead of us."
Posts: 3523
From: Bristol,RI, USA
Registered: May 2010
posted August 20, 2011 04:05 PM
Adrian The end with a title tagged on. Day Of The Triffids 400' color sound. Then of course the great box art! ---------------------------------------------------------------- John
That Fiend in color must be great. I hope I can find one someday.
Posts: 1592
From: United States
Registered: Jun 2003
posted August 20, 2011 04:54 PM
I had two different versions of the FIEND WITHOUT A FACE super 8 feature. The first was 5X400' in a box from Cinema Eight which I bought from forum member Steven Sigel. It was complete and un-edited. The other was the 4X400' version of the feature I believe was from POWELL films. It was edited...the shooting of the brain creatures was NOT all there. Maybe some other stuff was missing too, I don't remember, I sold both prints years ago.
[ August 21, 2011, 11:14 AM: Message edited by: Joe Taffis ]
Posts: 313
From: Barking, Essex, UK
Registered: Dec 2009
posted August 21, 2011 05:54 AM
hello i have this feature mountain films 4x400ft in original boxes and i think it is complete,same cover as silent digest also this film was made in b/w only