Unraveling the Mystique of Coffin Joe

Read Time:8 Minute, 28 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Inside The Mind Of Coffin Joe [Limited Edition]

AT MIDNIGHT I’LL TAKE YOUR SOUL (À Meia Noite Levarei Sua Alma)
THIS NIGHT I’LL POSSESS YOUR CORPSE (Esta Noite Encarnarei no Teu Cadáver)
THE STRANGE WORLD OF COFFIN JOE (O Estranho Mundo de Zé do Caixão)
THE AWAKENING OF THE BEAST (O Ritual dos Sádicos)
THE END OF MAN (Finis Hominis)
WHEN THE GODS FALL ASLEEP (Quando os Deuses Adormecem)
THE STRANGE HOSTEL OF NAKED PLEASURES (A Estranha Hospedaria dos Prazeres)
HELLISH FLESH (Inferno Carnal)
HALLUCINATIONS OF A DERANGED MIND (Delírios de um Anormal)
EMBODIMENT OF EVIL (Encarnação do Demônio)
–

Genre: Horror
Year Released: 1964, 1967, 1968, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1976, 1977, 1978, 2008, Arrow Video Blu-ray boxset 2024
Runtime: 15h 37m
Director(s): José Mojica Marins, Marcelo Motta, Ivan Finotti, André Barcinski
Writer(s): José Mojica Marins, Magda Mei, Aldenora De Sa Porto, Rubens Francisco Luchetti, Dennison Ramalho
Cast: José Mojica Marins, Magda Mei, Tina Wohlers, Luiz Sérgio Person, Teresa Sodré, Cláudio Alberto, Alfredo Almeida, ngelo Assunção, Helena Ramos, Jorge Peres, Jece Valadão
Language: Portuguese with English subtitles
Where To Watch: available January 16, 2024; pre-order here www.arrowvideo.com, www.mvdshop.com, or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: Stepping into the director's chair, José Mojica Marins embarked on a journey that would redefine Brazilian horror and etch the name of Coffin Joe into the annals of cinematic lore. INSIDE THE MIND OF COFFIN JOE, presented by Arrow Video, unfolds this eerie saga across ten films, each a distinct chapter in a narrative as dark as it is captivating. So, the truth be told, I didn’t know who Coffin Joe was before receiving these screeners, and the horror buff inside me is truly ashamed. As of posting this on January 7, 2024, it already may be one of the most impressive box sets of the year! (and I would be hard-pressed to see anyone take that title anytime soon)

Kicking off this spooky soiree is AT MIDNIGHT I’LL TAKE YOUR SOUL, where we're first introduced to the morally ambiguous Coffin Joe. This 1964 flick is a bold statement, an invitation to a new era of Brazilian cinema that mirrors the revolutionary essence of the French New Wave.

THIS NIGHT I’LL POSSESS YOUR CORPSE takes the dark themes introduced in its predecessor to the next level. Here, Coffin Joe's quest becomes more harrowing as his actions increasingly clash with what would be considered “moral.” The film delves deeper into the psyche of its anti-hero, revealing layers of complexity that defy simple categorization.

But don't get too comfy with traditional storytelling, as THE STRANGE WORLD OF COFFIN JOE shakes things up. This anthology mixes the ordinary with the ominous, making us question whether true terror lurks in the everyday. You can feel that this “series” was still trying to find its feet and figure out what it wanted to be and what story it wanted to tell.

THE AWAKENING OF THE BEAST, where darkness and supernatural elements mix in a mind-bending brew. This film blurs the lines between fantasy and reality, delving into themes of drug abuse and societal decay, challenging your perception of what's real. Each film builds on the previous one, creating this universe and the roots of these tales of terror and evil.

Following this, THE END OF MAN takes us on a surreal adventure that echoes biblical narratives, probing deep into the concepts of power, belief, and authority. It's a cinematic journey that urges you to reflect on the role of miracles in the modern world. Questioning the society he was surrounded with and the belief structures he saw regularly growing up.

Continuing the exploration, WHEN THE GODS FALL ASLEEP layers in critiques of religion and society. Its non-linear storytelling might challenge some, especially those familiar with the previous films, but it's a richly layered examination of faith and the influence of a messianic figure.

THE STRANGE HOSTEL OF NAKED PLEASURES whisks you away to a realm of the bizarre and the visually stunning. In this eccentric hostel, human desires and vices unravel against mystery and psychedelic wonder. One of the most impressive aspects of Marins' journey is the constant evolution from one film to the next.

Taking a detour from the central theme that has been built, HELLISH FLESH spins a web of revenge while retaining Marins' signature blend of horror and philosophical depth. This foray into vengeance and insanity offers a unique perspective on the genre. I love seeing how these stories, even when they don’t keep the focus of previous films, still grow and show how the story can be enhanced.

HALLUCINATIONS OF A DERANGED MIND is a meta-cinematic gem that melds new footage with past scenes, specifically ones censored on other releases, solidifying Coffin Joe's status as a Brazillian cultural icon. It's a film where the lines between fiction and reality blur, making you question what's truly possible.

And then, EMBODIMENT OF EVIL arrives years later to bring a poignant closure to this haunting narrative. Reflecting on the character and Marins' legacy, it is a fitting finale to a journey that's been both complex and profoundly moving.

Marins' skill in weaving together horror with existential and philosophical themes is nothing short of brilliant. His films have indelibly marked both Brazilian and international horror cinema. While some entries in this series might make some uncomfortable, the overall impact is undeniable.

INSIDE THE MIND OF COFFIN JOE is more than just a film series; it's an odyssey into the heart of horror, a testament to José Mojica Marins' creativity and significant impact on the cinematic arts. This collection is an essential experience for anyone seeking to venture into a new dimension of horror, leaving you with an enduring impression of Coffin Joe's haunting legacy.

Bonus Materials:
LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS
Brand new 4K restorations of all films
High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray presentations
Original lossless mono audio for all films (except Embodiment of Evil)
English subtitles for all films
Trailers for all films (except When the Gods Fall Asleep)
Collector’s book featuring new writing by Tim Lucas, Carlos Primati, Jerome Reuter, Amy Voorhees Searles, Kyle Anderson, and Paula Sacramento
Reversible sleeves with new artwork by Butcher Billy
Double-sided poster with new artwork by Butcher Billy
12 double-sided art cards

DISC 1: AT MIDNIGHT I’LL TAKE YOUR SOUL
Commentary with José Mojica Marins, filmmaker Paulo Duarte, and film scholar Carlos Primati (Portuguese with English subtitles)
A new video essay by Lindsay Hallam
Damned: The Strange World of José Mojica Marins, a documentary on Marins by André Barcinski and Ivan Finotti
Bloody Kingdom, Marins’ first short film with director’s commentary
Excerpts from early works by Marins

DISC 2: THIS NIGHT I’LL POSSESS YOUR CORPSE / THE STRANGE WORLD OF COFFIN JOE
Commentaries for both films with Marins, Paulo Duarte, and Carlos Primati (Portuguese with English subtitles)
New interview with Stephen Thrower on Marins’ influences
A new video essay by Miranda Corcoran looking at Coffin Joe as a horror host
Alternative ending for The Strange World of Coffin Joe with commentary by Marins

DISC 3: THE AWAKENING OF THE BEAST / THE END OF MAN
Commentaries for both films with Marins, Paulo Duarte, and Carlos Primati (Portuguese with English subtitles)
New interview with Guy Adams on Marins’ esoteric aspects
A new video essay by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas on the gender politics of Marins’ films
Alternate opening titles for The Awakening of the Beast

DISC 4: WHEN THE GODS FALL ASLEEP / THE STRANGE HOSTEL OF NAKED PLEASURES
New interview with Virginie Sélavy on surrealism in Marins’ work
New interview with Jack Sargeant
New interview with Dennison Ramalho (co-writer of Embodiment of Evil)
Footage of Marins at the 2001 Sundance Film Festival
A Blind Date for Coffin Joe, a short film by Raymond “Coffin Ray” Castile

DISC 5: HELLISH FLESH / HALLUCINATIONS OF A DERANGED MIND
Commentary for Hallucinations of a Deranged Mind with Marins, editor Nilcemar Leyart, Paulo Duarte, and Carlos Primati (Portuguese with English subtitles)
New interview with Andrew Leavold on Marins' place in 60s & 70s Marginal Cinema
A new video essay by Kat Ellinger

DISC 6: EMBODIMENT OF EVIL
Lossless 2.0 and 5.1 audio
Commentary with producer Paulo Sacramento and co-screenwriter Dennison Ramalho (Portuguese with English subtitles)
New interview with Dennison Ramalho
Footage of Marins at the film's premiere
Interview in which Ramalho pays tribute to Marins
Official Making Of and Experimental Making Of featurettes
Multiple featurettes with commentary by Marins

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[photo courtesy of ARROW VIDEO, MVD ENTERTAINMENT]

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