The Terror -- Good Print, Quality DVD?

Has anybody seen a decent DVD of The Terror? I doubt it.

According to an earlier post, a seemingly restored widescreen print was shown recently on cable, but we still can't buy a good print on video or DVD.

Print quality can make all the difference in the world for any film. Photographed by the great Floyd Crosby, The Terror was one of the most beautiful American supernatural films of the 1960's in its widescreen theatrical release. This particular film is almost entirely visual in its artistic appeal. Circa 1980 I saw a clear and colorful TV print which, although cropped, put all the cheap and crummy video and DVD issues to shame.

The problem is that since the film slipped into the public domain, no one has bothered to access the negative. Until a digital transfer is made, we're only seeing a faded, gummy xerox record of the film.

I understand that Roger Corman will be releasing his films to DVD through Disney. Perhaps the Corman package will include The Terror, and the original Little Shop of Horrors (also lost in PD hell); but it seems more likely the Disney releases will be the pre-1960 Corman rarities.

Until a company like Image Entertainment or The Criterion Collection sees fit to restore Corman's film to its pristine state with a widescreen digital transfer (and commentary track), one of Boris Karloff's last worthy vehicles remains in video limbo.

Doctor_Mabuse