Pretty Packaging: The COFFIN JOE Boxset Doesn't Hurt Your Eyes

Distributor Arrow has rightfully created quite a reputation for itself as a producer of exquisite collector's editions, wriggling itself into the small group in which Criterion and Eureka: Masters of Cinema used to be royalty. But as of late, it's hard to pinpoint something really spectacular. Mostly it's updates and upgrades to 4K, like with their newer Hellraiser sets. So they have been a bit absent in this Pretty Packaging category lately.

However, their Blu-ray boxset of films by (and about) the late Brazilian horror legend José Mojica Marins, known worldwide for (and as) his character 'Coffin Joe', is top tier again. Called Inside the Mind of Coffin Joe, you get all films in which Joe is the main or side character, and several other films by Marins.

And it's a looker too. So here is a gallery of shots. Click on the edge of the pictures to scroll through them, or at the center of each to see a bigger version!

And here it is: a big sturdy box. He's looking at you!

The reverse side shows Joe's signature manicure, and taking the lid off reveals what's on his mind: procreation, sacrilege, torture and horror!

The contents: six disc-holders, a book and a reversible poster.

All contents spread out. Each amaray holds a few cards as well!

The films included are:

At Midnight I'll Take Your Soul
This Night I'll Possess Your Corpse
The Strange World of Coffin Joe
The Awakening of the Beast
The End of Man
When the Gods Fall Asleep
The Strange Hostel of Naked Pleasures
Hellish Flesh
Hallucinations of a Deranged Mind
Embodiment of Evil

And lots and lots of interviews and essays...

Fun fact: not just the poster is reversible. All cards and covers are too.

The booklet is great, ninety pages of essays, context and background information.

The (back)end of a great boxset release.

The dark underside of said great boxset release. Well done, Arrow!