More than three decades since its theatrical release, Ken Russell’s classic supernatural horror comedy film The Lair of the White Worm is finally getting a Blu-ray SteelBook edition from Lionsgate.
The Hugh Grant-led 1988 movie will be available for purchase on Blu-ray starting on May 14 for the suggested retail price of $23.99 at Walmart. This SteelBook edition features an exclusive art by Vance Kelly.
Listed below are the special features included in its Blu-ray release:
- Audio Commentaries: Director Ken Russell/ Lisi Russell in conversation with Film Historian Matthew Melia
- Featurette: “Worm Food: The Effects of The Lair of the White Worm”
- Interviews – “Cutting for Ken” with Editor Peter Davies / “Mary, Mary” with Actress Sammi Davis
- Trailers and Gallery
What is The Lair of the White Worm about?
“In the film, James D’Ampton returns to his country castle in England. Legend has it that James’s distant ancestor once slayed the local dragon — a monstrous white worm with a fondness for the sweet flesh of virgins,” reads the synopsis. “The young lord dismisses the legend as folklore, until archaeology student Angus Flint explores James’s property and unearths a massive reptilian skull and a pagan snake god’s ancient site of worship. When James’s virtuous girlfriend, Eve Trent, suddenly disappears, James and Angus set out to investigate the foreboding cavern said to be the worm’s lair, where a centuries-old mystery begins to uncoil.”
Inspired by Bram Stoker’s 1911 novel, The Lair of the White Worm was written and directed by Russell. It starred Grant as James D’Ampton, Amanda Donohoe as Lady Sylvia Marsh, Catherine Oxenberg as Eve Trent, Peter Capaldi as Angus Flint, Sammi Davis as Mary Trent and more. Despite its poor box office performance and negative reviews, the film still went on to become a cult classic.
