In the realm of 1960s B-movie auteurs whose works have undergone critical reevaluation and are now celebrated for their innovative themes, Russ Meyer stands out alongside Roger Corman. Meyer, renowned for his provocative sexploitation films such as Beyond the Valley of the Dolls and Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!, is now recognized for his audacious contributions that reflect the shifting social norms of his era.
Meyer, known for his staunch independence, retained control over his filmography until his passing in 2004. However, high-quality copies of many of his less prominent works have been scarce in the 21st century. That is set to change with the latest initiative from Severin Films, which has partnered with the Russ Meyer Charitable Trust to release restored editions of three seminal Meyer films. The trilogy—comprising Vixen!, Supervixens, and Beyond the Valley of the Ultravixens—will be available on DVD, Blu-ray, and 4K UHD, all restored from Meyer’s original camera negatives.
Released in 1968, Vixen! features Erica Gavin as a charismatic seductress who manipulates tourists with her sexuality. It was among the first theatrical releases to receive an X rating and proved to be a commercial success. The film is notable not only for its explicit content but also for its underlying commentary on racism. Meyer revisited similar themes in 1975’s Supervixens, marking his return to X-rated independent filmmaking after an unsuccessful venture into studio projects. His 1979 film, Beyond the Valley of the Ultravixens, co-written with Roger Ebert, further explores Meyer’s penchant for satire, depicting a fictional town rife with sexual violence and moral corruption.
David Gregory, co-founder and CEO of Severin Films, expressed enthusiasm about the project: “As a filmmaker, distributor, and First Amendment advocate, Russ Meyer is one of the last great icons of American cinema. We’re thrilled to have the support of The Russ Meyer Trust as we embark on what we hope will be a long-lasting and fruitful partnership. The Severin Films team is immensely proud of our efforts to restore these legendary titles for a new generation of fans and to reintroduce Russ’ classic works to cinephiles everywhere.”
Janice Cowart of The Russ Meyer Trust also praised the initiative: “Russ Meyer’s greatest demand was for QUALITY. RM Films is thrilled that Severin Films has undertaken this monumental task to meet Russ’ standards, and we are delighted that his films will once again be accessible to audiences.”
With these new restorations, Russ Meyer’s provocative and influential works are set to reach new audiences and reaffirm their place in cinematic history.
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