California-based Blue Underground has recently released Dutch director Dick Maas‘ 1988 hit horror-action film Amsterdamned on Blu-Ray this past August and now, the label will be unleashing two more Maas’ horror films this Halloween.
The films in question? Maas’ film debut, 1983’s The Lift, and its 2001 remake Down. The latter was originally released by Lionsgate in 2003 under the title of The Shaft.
Both films have the same premise: an elevator goes awry in a building and becomes responsible for a series of deaths. A local maintenance operator investigates with the help of a journalist and they learn something extremely sinister about these elevators. Huub Stapel, a regular of Maas’ films at the time, and Willeke Van Ammelrooy starred in the original film while James Marshall and Naomi Watts starred in the remake in the roles originated by Stapel and Van Ammelrooy.
Check out the trailers for both films:
In addition, check out the artwork for these special edition Blu-Ray + DVD combinations:
Special Features on The Lift:
- Audio Commentary with Writer/Director Dick Maas and Editor Hans van Dongen
- Going Up Interview with Star Huub Stapel
- “Long Distance” Short Film by Dick Maas (2003, 4 Minutes)
- Dutch Trailer
- U.S. Trailer
- Poster & Still Gallery
- BONUS Collectable Booklet with new essay by writer and filmmaker Chris Alexander
Special Features on Down:
- Audio Commentary with Writer/Director Dick Maas and Stunt Coordinator Willem de Beukelaer
- The Making Of DOWN
- Behind-the-Scenes Footage [Blu-ray Exclusive]
- Theatrical Trailer
- Teaser Trailers
- Poster & Still Gallery
- BONUS Collectable Booklet with new essay by author Michael Gingold
Look out for both The Lift and its remake Down on Blu-Ray + DVD combination packs from Blue Underground this Halloween. You can find both of them for pre-order on Amazon.
WorldFilmGeek 