‘The Bat,’ ‘The Invitation’ and the 40th Anniversary Edition of ‘E.T.’ Arrive on Home Entertainment

THE BAT SPECIAL EDITION. (DVD Artwork). ©The Film Detective.

Movies

The Bat (Horror, Mystery, Thriller)

The 1959 horror classic “The Bat” flies home onto special-edition Blu-ray and DVD releases Tuesday, October 25, from The Film Detective.

The predator has steel claws and rips his victims to shreds! But who is he? Vincent Price (“House of Wax”) thrills in this horror classic about a down­trodden country estate that becomes the site of a horrific murder. Agnes Moorehead (“Bewitched”) co-stars in the picture in one of her many commanding, on-screen performances. Other co-stars include Gavin Gordon (“Murder by Invitation”) and Darla Hood of the Our Gang comedies in her final film role.

Prolific writer/director Crane Wilbur (“He Walked by Night,” “Crime Wave”) helms the feature, alongside an impressive gallery of weirdos who are guaranteed to give you the creeps. Which of them is the mysterious killer known as The Bat? You’ll find out soon enough, but beware — the scream you hear may be your own!

Presented at 1.85:1, this pristine print is beautifully restored from original 35mm archival elements and includes several bonus features. Most notably, the Blu-ray release includes nine archival radio re-broadcasts featuring the iconic Price in everything from the popular radio drama “Suspense” to a comedic performance for CBS Radio Workshop in “Speaking of Cinderella.” Other extras on both the Blu-ray and DVD include a full-color booklet with the essay “The Case of the Forgotten Author” by professor and film scholar Jason A. Ney; a full-length commentary track by Ney; and an all-new featurette, “The Case for Crane Wilbur,” by Ballyhoo Motion Pictures on the director and screenwriter of “The Bat.”

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (Adventure, Family, Sci-Fi)
Journey back to the magic and adventure of “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” with an all-new release celebrating the 40th anniversary of the film, now available to own on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and Digital from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.

Captivating audiences of all ages, the beloved masterpiece from Academy Award-winning director Steven Spielberg follows the unforgettable journey of a lost alien and the 10-year-old boy he befriends. Join Elliot (Henry Thomas), Gertie (Drew Barrymore) and Michael (Robert MacNaughton) as they come together to help E.T. find his way back home.

Showcasing more than 45 minutes of all-new bonus features, including a retrospective of the film and its lasting legacy and a featurette with Spielberg reflecting on his career and the making of “E.T.” four decades later, the 40th-anniversary release of “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” is the definitive way to experience the heartwarming movie. The release includes all of “E.T.’s” original bonus features as well, including deleted scenes, a cast and filmmaker reunion and a discussion with John Williams about the iconic music from the film, providing viewers will more than 4 hours of engaging content. Additionally, three premium limited editions will be available at select retailers for a limited time, including an Amazon exclusive limited edition gift set that includes a collectible tin tote, thermos, booklet and certificate of authenticity and a Walmart.com exclusive that has a collectible BendyFigs E.T. figurine.

The Invitation (Horror, Thriller)
“The Invitation” arrives on Blu-ray and DVD Tuesday, October 25, from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. The suspenseful thriller is also now available on Digital.

After the death of her mother and having no other known relatives, Evie (Nathalie Emmanuel) takes a DNA test and discovers a long-lost cousin she never knew she had. Invited by her newfound family to a lavish wedding in the English countryside, she’s at first seduced by the sexy aristocrat host but is soon thrust into a nightmare of survival as she uncovers twisted secrets in her family’s history and the unsettling intentions behind their sinful generosity.

Both the Blu-ray and Digital release of “The Invitation” include not only the theatrical version of the film and an all-new unrated cut, but also deleted and extended scenes — including an alternate ending — and outtakes and bloopers. Three behind-the-scenes featurettes are also included on the Blu-ray and Digital release as well as the DVD: “Lifting the Veil: Story,” “The Wedding Party: Cast” and “Till Death Do Us Part: Design.”