1978. Jimmy Carter was President. Disco was burning up the dance scene. Pope John Paul II became the first Slavic pope in history. And on movie screens, one of the strangest horror films ever filmed was unleashed onto an unsuspecting public: William Girdler’s The Manitou. On March 6, 2007, Anchor Bay Entertainment, the industry leader in horror home entertainment, brings this surreal cult classic to DVD for the first time, presented in a beautiful new widescreen (2.35:1, 16x9 enhanced) transfer. SRP is $14.98, with pre-book on January 24th.

Directed and co-written by Girdler (Grizzly, Day of the Animals), The Manitou stars Tony Curtis, Susan Strasberg, Michael Ansara and an impressive – for its day – supporting cast including Jon Cedar (Capricorn One and co-writer), Stella Stevens (The Poseidon Adventure), Ann Sothern (A Letter To Three Wives), Burgess Meredith (“The Penguin” from TV’s “Batman”), Paul Mantee (Robinson Crusoe On Mars) and Jeannette Nolan (the voice of “Mother” in Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho). In the film, Karen Tandy (Strasberg) baffles doctors who are unable to explain the tumor growing on her back and neck. All test data points to the inescapable conclusion that the lump is a developing fetus. When Karen’s doctors encounter supernatural phenomena while attempting to remove it, Karen’s boyfriend, fortune teller Harry Erskine (Tony Curtis), seeks help from fellow fortune teller Amelia Crusoe (Stella Stevens). Soon, the mind-boggling truth is revealed: the growth is the reincarnation of Misquamacus, a malevolent Native American “manitou,” or spirit determined, once reborn, to destroy humanity. Erskine, together with Native American “witch doctor” John Singing Rock (Michael Ansara), engage Misquamacus in a final “psychedelic” confrontation – within a hospital ward transported to outer space! -- combining elements of The Exorcist, The Omen, 2001: A Space Odyssey and Star Wars!

The Manitou has lived in the hearts of horror film fans the world over in the twenty eight years since its initial release. The Manitou on DVD promises a nostalgic trip through 1970s horror unlike any other.

Bonus features:

• Theatrical Trailer
• TV Spot

THE MANITOU
Street Date: March 6, 2007
Pre-Book: January 24, 2007
Catalog # DV13322
UPC: 0-1313-13322-9 2
Run Time: 104 Minutes
Rating: R
SRP: $14.98