As the original German version of Waxworks has not survived, this newly restored English edition—a joint effort by the Deutsche Kinemathek and Cineteca di Bologna, L'Immagine Ritrovata (with funding from the German Commission for Culture and the Media)—is composed of vintage export prints and additional film materials from archives around the world. The elements, including English intertitles, were scanned in 4K resolution and then restored in 2K. Presented by Flicker Alley and Eureka Entertainment in a Blu-ray/DVD dual-format edition, there is an option of two scores to accompany the film: a new piano score by Richard Siedhoff and a new instrumental score by Bernd Schultheis, Olav Lervik and Jan Kohl, commissioned by ZDF/ARTE and performed by Ensemble Musikfabrik.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
2K RESTORATION OF THE FILM
Audio Commentary Track — Featuring Australian film and arts critic Adrian Martin.
Paul Leni's Rebus-Films Nr. 1-8 — Courtesy of Kino/Lorber, these Leni-helmed cinematic crossword puzzles were originally screened in 1920s German cinemas as featurettes accompanying the main film. Each of these animated shorts was split into two parts—a clue and an answer—and presented before and after the feature presentation.
In search of the original version of Paul Leni's Das Wachsfigurenkabinett — An interview with Julia Wallmüller (Deutsche Kinemathek) based on her presentation after the premiere of the restored film at Il Cinema Ritrovato festival in Bologna 2020.
Conversation with Kim Newman — An in-depth interview with journalist, film critic, and fiction writer Kim Newman, discussing the legacy of Waxworks.
Collector's Edition Souvenir Booklet — Limited edition booklet featuring new essays by Phillip Kemp and Richard Combs on the film's history and significance; notes on the restoration process by Julia Wallmüller (Deutsche Kinemathek); and rarely seen production photographs and promotional material.