Import Corner: Hellraiser: Quartet of Torment (Arrow Video) 4K Blu-ray Review + Packaging Shots

Jimmy P November 07, 2023
Arrow Video has such sights to show us with this lovely set that brings the Cenobites into 4K.

Studio: Arrow Video
Release Date: September 18th, 1987 (theatrical) (Hellraiser) / December 23rd, 1988 (theatrical) (Hellbound: Hellraiser II) / September 11th, 1992 (Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth) / March 8th, 1996 (Hellraiser: Bloodline)
Run Time: 1 hour 33 minutes 21 seconds (Hellraiser) / 1 hour 39 minutes 2 seconds (Hellbound: Hellraiser II) / 1 hour 33 minutes 11 seconds (theatrical) (Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth), 1 hour 36 minutes 21 seconds (unrated) (Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth) / 1 hour 24 minutes 44 seconds (theatrical) (Hellraiser: Bloodline), 1 hour 22 minutes 11 seconds (workprint) (Hellraiser: Bloodline)
Region Code: FREE
Disc Count: 4 (4K BD)
Picture: 2160p (1.85:1 aspect ratio) (Hellraiser, Hellbound: Hellraiser II, Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth (theatrical), and Hellraiser: Bloodline) / 2160p (1.85:1 aspect ratio with 1.33:1 inserts) (Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth (Unrated Version)) / 480p (
Sound: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (all films)
Subtitles: English SDH
Slipcover: Yes (hard box)
Digital Copy: No
Starring: Andrew Robinson, Clare Higgins, Ashley Laurence, Doug Bradley (Hellraiser) / Ashley Laurence, Clare Higgins, Kenneth Cranham, Doug Bradley (Hellbound: Hellraiser II) / Terry Farrell, Paula Marshall, Kevin Bernhardt, Peter Boynton, Doug Bradley (Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth) / Bruce Ramsay, Valentina Vargas, Doug Bradley (Hellraiser: Bloodline)
Written by Clive Barker (Hellraiser) / Peter Atkins (Hellbound: Hellraiser II, Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth, and Hellraiser: Bloodline)
Directed by Clive Barker (Hellraiser) / Tony Randel (Hellbound: Hellraiser II) / Anthony Hickox (Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth) / Alan Smithee (actually Kevin Yagher) (Hellraiser: Bloodline)
Rating: BBFC: 18 (strong bloody violence) (Hellraiser, Hellbound: Hellraiser II, and Hellraiser: Bloodline) / BBFC: 18 (strong language, sex, bloody violence and horror) (Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth)

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Poster

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What's It About?

When Kirsty's father, Larry, and stepmother, Julia, move into Larry's childhood home, Kirsty and her boyfriend take a room nearby. Unfortunately for all involved, Larry's house is already occupied: before the family's arrival, Larry's disreputable brother, Frank, used a supernatural puzzle box to summon a gang of other-dimensional demon sadists. Now, Frank requires a series of blood sacrifices to escape the clutches of Pinhead and the cenobites (Hellraiser)

Doctor Channard is sent a new patient, a girl warning of the terrible creatures that have destroyed her family, Cenobites who offer the most intense sensations of pleasure and pain. But Channard has been searching for the doorway to Hell for years, and Kirsty must follow him to save her father and witness the power struggles among the newly damned. (Hellbound: Hellraiser II)

After the "Big Confrontation" in the previous installment "Hellbound", Pinhead - the Black Pope of Hell - is trapped inside a block of black marble. This dark marble block contains both Pinhead and the LeMarchand puzzle cube, and is purchased by a young playboy to serve as a decorative sculpture in his nightclub. But Pinhead soon tries to break free... by instigating the playboy to lure victims into his proximity... so that he can obtain their blood. Once freed, Pinhead vehemently seeks to destroy the cube... so he need never return to Hell again. But a female journalist starts investigating these grisly murders, and is determined to stand in his nefarious way. (Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth)

It's the year 2127. Pinhead, the evil cenobite of the series, has found himself on board a space station in outer space, run by scientist Dr.Merchant. Dr. Merchant's mission is to close the gates to hell forever. Because his ancestor, a toymaker in the 18th century, built the evil puzzlebox that opens the gates to hell. And through the generations, the family of the bloodline has tried to stop it. But now, Dr.Merchant has built the reverse box. The box that will close the gates to hell instead of opening it. (Hellraiser: Bloodline)
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Video/Audio

All of the films in this set have been given brand new 4K scans and remasters and they look great. For my money, the second and third films have the most film-like feels to them. It felt like I was watching actual film prints. HELLRAISER: BLOODLINE is the most impressive of the bunch as we have never had a good transfer and it shows. Looking at the old Echo Bridge blu-ray and comparing it to this 4K version is like looking at something covered in all the Vaseline and then wiping it off. The film has never looked better. All of the films see an uptick in resolution with detail in all areas across the board. This also means that many of the makeup appliances are more noticeable now. That's cool, though, as this has never bothered me. These are top note transfers that will make fans extremely happy.

Please note that HELLRAISER III: HELL ON EARTH is presented in two versions: the original 1992 theatrical version and the unrated version that appeared on laserdisc back in 1993. The unrated footage is taken said laserdisc as no film footage could be found and is presented in 1.33:1. The aspect ratio for the rest of the film is 1.85:1. The unrated version is also in SD so the jump in quality between the two is really jarring. I didn't mind it because I knew going in what I was getting myself into but most people will hate it.

Speaking of HELLRAISER III, the framing issues that were presented on the 2015 Arrow Video blu-ray are not present here. They have been fixed. We don't have to suffer with the sights of camera stands and the wood holding up the Pillar of Souls anymore.
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Extras/Packaging

Hellraiser (1987)

Audio Commentaries:

  • Commentary with critics Stephen Jones and Kim Newman (2022)
  • Commentary with writer/director Clive Barker and actress Ashley Laurence (2000)
  • Commentary with writer/director Clive Barker (1996)

Power of Imagination (58m 14s, HD, 1.85:12) An in-depth conversation between film scholars Sorch Ni Fhlainn (editor of Clive Barker: Dark Imagineer) and Karmel Knipprath about Hellraiser and the work of Clive Barker. Filmed exclusively for Arrow Video in 2023.
Unboxing Hellraiser (21m 53s, HD, 1.85:1) Celebrating the Lament Configuration with author Alexandre (AK) Benedict (The Beauty of Murder) as she takes a closer look at one of her most beloved films. Recorded exclusively for Arrow Video in 2023
The Pursuit of Possibilities (40m 57s, HD, 1.78:1) Acclaimed horror authors Paula D. Ashe (We Are Here to Hurt Each Other) and Eric Larocca (Everything the Dark Eats) celebrate the inherent queerness of Hellraiser, the importance of Clive Barker as a queer writer, and the influence of Barker and the films of their lives and work. Filmed exclusively for Arrow Video in 2023.
Flesh is a Trap (18m 19s, HD, 1.78:1) An intimate appreciation of the ways in which the art, books, and movies of Clive Barker embrace bodily existence even as they endeavour to transcend it by the author and film critic Guy Adams (The World House). Filmed exclusively for Arrow Video in 2023. This appreciation is presented as if it were a chapter of a book instead of a traditional interview. I am not sure how I feel about this.

Behind the Scenes (these extended EPK segments were filmed on set during the making of Hellraiser. This timecode footage was discovered in the archive of until publicist Stephen Jones, and is presented here for the very first time.

  • Intro by Stephen Jones and Kim Newman (10m 30s, HD, 1.78:1) Hellraiser uniter publicist (and genre historian) Steven Jones, and horror author and film critic Kim Newman introduce a selection of previously insee, extended Electronic Press Kit segments with cast and crew shot during the making of Hellraiser.
  • Extended Clive Barker EPK (4m 49s, SD, 1.33:1)
  • Extended Andrew Robinson EPK (4m 24s, SD, 1.33:1)
  • Extended Claire Higgins EPK (3m 18s, SD, 1.33:1)
  • Extended Ashley Laurence EPK (3m 7s, SD, 1.33:1)
  • Extended Creatures and Effects EPK (9m 28s, SD, 1.33:1)
  • Original 1987 Electronic Press Kit (6m, SD, 1.33:1) This shorter EPK, featuring edited down elements of the extended pieces which are also presented on this disc. 

Archival Special Features:

  • Being Frank: Sean Chapman on Hellraiser (26m 22s, HD, 1.78:1) Actor Sean Chapman talks candidly about playing the part of Frank Cotton in Clive Barker's original film.
  • Under the Skin: Doug Bradley on Hellraiser (12m 32s, HD, 1.78:1) Actor Doug Bradley discusses his first appearance in the iconic role of "Pinhead"
  • Soundtrack Hell: The Story of the Abandoned Coil Score (18m 9s, HD, 1.78:1) Coil member Stephen Thrower discusses the Hellraiser score that almost was.
  • Hellraiser: Resurrection (24m 27s, SD, 1.78:1) A vintage featurette including interviews with writer/director Clive Barker, actors Doug Bradley and Ashley Laurence, special make-up effects artist Bob Keen and more.

Trailers:

  • Theatrical Trailer (1m 37s, HD, 1.85:1)
  • Red Band Trailer (1m 36s, SD, 1.33:1)
  • International Trailer (1m 37s, SD, 1.33:1)

TV Spots (2m 13s, SD, 1.33:1) 4 tv spots

Image Galleries:

  • Image Gallery (52 images)
  • First Draft Screenplay (116 images)
  • Final Draft Screenplay (98 images)

Hellbound: Hellraiser II (1988)

Audio Commentaries:

  • Audio Commentary with critics Stephen Jones and Kim Newman (2023)
  • Audio Commentary with director Toney Randel, writer Peter Atkins, and actress Ashley Laurence (2000)
  • Audio Commentary with director Toney Randel and writer Peter Atkins (1996)

Hell Was What They Wanted! (1h 25m, HD, 1.90:1) A lively new appreciation of Hellbound: Hellraiser II and the work of Clive Barker by horror authors and critics Kit Power and George Danial Lea. Filmed exclusively for Arrow Video in 2023.
The Rat-Slice Sound (11m 54s, HD, 1.85:1) An appreciation of composer Christopher Young's iconic scores for Hellraiser and HHellbound: Hellraiser II by author and critic Guy Adams. Recorded exclusively for Arrow Vide in 2023

Behind the Scenes

  • Clive Barker on set interview (3m 18s, SD, 1.33:1)
  • Cast and Crew on set interviews (4m 45s, SD, 1.33:1)
  • Behind the Scenes Footage (1m 51s, SD, 1.33:1)

Archival Special Features:

  • Being Frank: Sean Chapman on Hellbound (11m 35s, HD, 1.78:1)
  • Under the Skin: Doug Bradley on Hellbound: Hellraiser II (10m 52s, SD, 1.78:1)
  • Hellbound: Hellraiser II - Lost in the Labyrinth (17m 3s, SD, 1.78:1)
  • Deleted Surgeon Scene (4m 51s, SD, 1.33:1)

Trailers:

  • Theatrical Trailer 1 (1m 55s, SD, 1.33:1)
  • Theatrical Trailer 2 (1m 19s, HD, 1.85:1)
  • Theatrical Trailer 3 (1m 32s, HD, 1.85:1) This trailer is a neat one. They used to do these "audience reactions" outside of theaters and ask people what they thought of the film. These things are always fake with actors filling in for the audience members. I mean, Christina Slater was in one of these in the early 90s. I think it might have been for the 1990 TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES. He pops up in it as an audience member AFTER he had already become kind of a "name" in Hollywood. There is no way they just happen to catch an up and coming actor coming out of a kid's film.  Anyway, this is one of those "audience reaction" trailers and it is also narrated by the wonderful Percy Rodrigues.
  • Red Band Trailer (1m 41s, SD, 1.33:1)

TV Spots:

  • TV Spot 1 (33s, SD, 1.33:1)
  • TV Spot 2 (33s, SD, 1.33:1)
  • TV Spot 3 (33s, SD, 1.33:1) This is an ad for the film's soundtrack. That is awesome that they included this in this set.

Image Galleries:

  • Storyboards (126 images)
  • Alternate Ending Storyboards (10 images)
  • Stills and Promo Material (154 images)
  • Draft Screenplay (97 images)

Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth (1992)

Choose Version (the unrated version of Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth presented on this disc contains standard definition, 1.33:1 ratio inserts from the best available source.

  • Theatrical Cut (1h 33m, 4K, 1.85:1 aspect ratio)
  • Unrated Version (1h 36m, 4K, 1.85:1/1.33:1 aspect ratio) When Arrow Video released their HELLRAISER: THE SCARLET BOX set back in 2015, they included this unrated cut of the film just like they do here, with the unrated footage being presented in a 1.33:1 aspect ratio. The jump in quality of the footage, with the unrated footage being in SD only, was a bit jarring but not nearly as jarring as it is here. The jump from 4K to SD to 4K can take someone who doesn't know about it beforehand. That being said, I didn't mind the difference in quality as this is the only way to get the unrated version of the film if you don't already own the long out of print THE SCARLET BOX. 

Audio Commentaries:

  • Commentary by critics Stephen Jones and Kim Newman (2023)
  • Commentary with writer Peter Atkins (2015)
  • Commentary with director Anthony Hickox and actor Doug Bradley (2004)

Behind the Scenes:

  • Electronic Press Kit (12m 15s, SD, 1.33:1) This previously unseen extended EPK footage contains the edited EPK featurette included on Arrow's previous edition of Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth, plus clips and behind the scenes B-roll shot during production. This timecode footage was discovered in the archive of unit publicist Stephen Jones and is presented here for the very first time.
  • FX Dailies (23m 49s, SD, 1.33:1) All of the footage here is presented without any sound.

Archival Special Features:

  • Time and Terri (14m 53s, HD, 1.78:1) An archival interview from 2015 with actress Paula Marshall about her role as "Terri"
  • Raising Hell on Earth (13m 59s, SD, 1.78:1) An archival interview from 2004 with director Anthony Hickox
  • Under the Skin (13m 46s, SD, 1.78:1) An archival interview from 2004 with star Doug Bradley

Theatrical Trailer (1m 52s, SD, 1.66:1) The aspect ratio on this thing is really weird. For the most part, it is presented in a 1.66:1 aspect ratio but a black matte bar shows up for a shot here and there. It's weird but man is this a throwback to the early to mid-90s. Love this trailer.
Image Gallery (25 images)

Hellraiser: Bloodline (1996)

Audio Commentary A new audio commentary with Stephen Jones, unit publicist of the first three Hellraiser films, Kim Newman, author and film critic, and screenwriter Peter Atkins. This is a revealing discussion of the film as it is, and as it might have been. Recorded exclusively for Arrow Video in 2023.
The Beauty of Suffering (27m 48s, HD, 1.78:1) A revealing new documentary exploring the way goth, BDSM, and fetish cultures connect with and influenced the Hellraiser mythos and Clive Barker's iconic "explorers in the further regions of experience", the Cenobites. Films exclusively for Arrow Video in 2023.

Workprint Version A previously unseen workprint version of Hellraiser: Bloodline. Also presented is alternate footage from an earlier workprint, without music and special effects, featuring some unique material.

  • Play Workprint (1h 22m, SD, 1.33:1) "The following version of Hellraiser: Bloodline is a workprint version with temporary music and sound effects. It was assembled sometime after Kevin Yagher's departure from the film; even though his name is still listed as director in the opening credits, it is most emphatically not his director's cut, which remains lost. This version, which has a different plot structure and some alternate material compared to the final "Alan Smithee" cut, is presented from a timecode VHS, the best material available for this release.
  • More Alternate Footage (5m 51s, SD, 1.33:1)

Hellraiser: Evolutions (48m 15s, HD, 1.78:1) An archival documentary looking at the evolution of the hit horror franchise and its enduring legacy, featuring interviews with Scott Derrickson (director Hellraiser: Inferno), Rick Bota (director Hellraiser: Hellseeker, Deader, and Hellworld), Stuart Gordon (director Re-Animator, From Beyond) and others
The Books of Blood and Beyond (19m 23s, HD, 1.78:1) An archival appreciation of the literary works of Clive Barker by horror author David Gatwalk, who provides a tour through Barker's written work from The Books of Blood to The Scarlet Gospels.
Theatrical Trailer (1m 14s, HD, 1.78:1)
Image Gallery (12 image)

I really enjoyed going through this set. I found the new commentaries to be a lot of fun and really informative, especially the track on the fourth film. One thing you might notice is that the new special features don't really feature anyone who worked on the films. The special features are more appreciations of the films and Barker's work than anything else. I do think that not including the Leviathan docs leave big holes in each film's special features lists as there aren't anything to make up for their loss. This means each film (the first three at least) has the rely on older making of featurettes. I don't like this all that much but it is what it is. To get all the special features, you will need to own the previous blu-rays that Arrow Video released as well as this set.

HELLRAISER: QUARTET OF TORMENT comes to us from Arrow Video and they have given us a very unique package. The outer, hard box is all black save for a side shot of Pinhead with his face accented with a red light. There are a few pieces from his head that are missing with us being able to see underneath the box. 

Inside, you will find a white digipak with a blood red plastic slipcover featuring Pinhead with no skin. Removing the slipcover removes the muscle from Pinhead and now he is just a skeleton with blood all around him. The initial opening of the digipak reveals "We have such sights to show you" written in blood on the white digipak. Opening the digipak all the way gives us all four 4K discs sitting in plastic trays hanging chains are seen behind them. Getting the slipcover back onto the digipak can be a big pain in the ass despite the fact that fit very well together.

There is also a 200-page, hardbound book called "Ages of Desire" that features "new writing from Clive Barker archivists Phil and Sarah Stokes" along with pieces of Clive Barker's artwork, behind the scenes photos, and information about the transfers.

What's Missing?

Hellraiser (1987)

  • Leviathan: The Story of Hellraiser (1hr 29m, HD)

Hellbound: Hellraiser II (1988)

  • Leviathan: The Story of Hellbound: Hellraiser II (2h, HD)

We gain a few trailers as well as another still gallery.

Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth (1992)

  • The Story of Hellraiser III (32m 1s, HD)
  • Original EPK (5m 12s, SD) The one found on the 4K disc is this version only longer.
  • Hellraiser III Comic Book (52 images) 

Hellraiser: Bloodlines (1996)

Bloodline has appeared on blu-ray a few times but usually without special features, There was a German Mediabook (three Mediabooks but the same disc contents) that contained the workprint (I do not know if this is the same workprint included here as there are a few floating around)

There is a fourth disc in the Scarlet Box set that contains the following special features:

Clive Barker Short Films:

  • Salomé(w/intro 27m 44s, HD) (w/o intro 18m)          
  • Forbidden, The (w/ intro 50m 3s, HD) (w/o intro 43m)

The Hellraiser Chronicles: A Question of Faith (31m 40s, HD)

  • Commentary with R.N. Milward

As you can see, there are a few special features that are missing from this set that were available in Arrow's own The Scarlet Box set. Thankfully, the short film THE HELLRAISER CHRONICLES: A QUESTION OF FAITH is NOT included as that was the worst special feature of The Scarlet Box blu-ray set. You can read more about this set in my review found here: Hellraiser: The Scarlet Box Blu-ray Review
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Overall

HELLRAISER: QUARTET OF TORMENT 4K is a great set. This is the best all four of these films have ever looked and sounded and the special features are numerous and time-worthy. Sure, the Leviathan doc from the first two films, along with the stuff about the third film, were not carried over, but we do get everything else along with some added stuff like new commentary tracks and unseen behind the scenes footage. We also get part 4 which has always been mistreated when it came to its home video releases (outside of the German blu-ray which wasn't all that great either) so what we get here is a Godsend. This is a great set that fans will eat up. Just keep your THE SCARLET BOXes if you want every special feature.
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Packaging










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