In December, three films by Russ Meyer, hailed as “the ultimate auteur” by film critic Roger Ebert, will be released on physical media. An agreement between the estate of the influential independent filmmaker and Severin Films has resulted in the home video debut of “Vixen,” “Supervixens,” and “Beneath the Valley of the Ultravixens.”
This marks the first time these films will be available in decades. Severin Films, collaborating with Janice Cowart and The Russ Meyer Trust, will release the movies in 4K UHD, Blu-ray, and DVD formats. These editions represent the first remastering from the original camera negatives since the early 1980s, and will feature both new and archival special features curated specifically for these releases.
David Gregory, co-founder and CEO of Severin Films, expressed his excitement: “Russ Meyer is a towering figure in American cinema, and we are thrilled to partner with The Russ Meyer Trust to restore and reintroduce these legendary films to a new generation.”
Starting his directorial career in 1959 with “The Immoral Mr. Teas,” Meyer quickly gained recognition for his successful and provocative films, earning the moniker “King of the Nudies.” He soon delved into more serious work, creating cult classics such as “Mudhoney” and “Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!” Meyer also directed “Beyond the Valley of the Dolls,” a satirical follow-up to “Valley of the Dolls,” which was written by his close friend and collaborator, Roger Ebert. Over his 50-year career, Meyer directed more than 20 films and a dozen short films.
Despite Meyer’s practice of retaining all rights to his works, his extensive catalog faced obscurity following his death in 2004. The films remained largely unavailable to contemporary audiences. In 2023, Severin Films approached The Russ Meyer Charitable Trust, led by Janice Cowart, with a proposal to restore and release Meyer’s films. Severin committed to meticulous restoration efforts to honor Meyer’s legacy.
The initial release will include “Vixen,” “Supervixens,” and “Beneath the Valley of the Ultravixens,” each featuring artwork reminiscent of Meyer’s iconic “Bosomania” frames. Janice Cowart shared her enthusiasm for the project: “Russ Meyer always demanded the highest quality. We are thrilled that Severin Films has undertaken this monumental task to meet his standards, and we are excited to see his films available once again.”