By: John M Jerva

Have I mentioned lately how much I miss the 80’s. Things were simpler, video stores were booming, action films dominated the market and I wasn’t suffering from a neurological disorder. Ah yes, the 80’s. Nothing even came close to that ball breaking decade.

It was also the decade of Cannon Films and the rebellious cousins Menaham Golan and Yoram Globus who were quite literally the most insane (in a great way) studio heads to ever walk the Earth. These guys would put anything out in unapologetic, glorious fashion and they even released some of the best indie action cinema ever with the likes of Chuck Norris, Charles Bronson and Michael Dudikoff.

In 1983, shortly after Raiders of the Lost Ark was released, Golan and Globus thought that they would try their hand at the throwback adventure genre and throw their hat into the ring with the guiltiest of pleasures called Treasure of the Four Crowns. Yeah, it’s a rip off of Raiders for sure. No question. They’re genius hook here though was that they would release it in thunderous 3D vision with all the bells and whistles. This was old school red and blue 3D though and not that recent hi-tech crap that we got a few years back which gave you headaches. Or maybe this one did too. I can’t remember much these days.

Starring the man himself, Tony Anthony, who also starred in another guilty pleasure 3D flick called Comin’ at Ya! ( No, really, that was the name), the film told the story of an adventurer and his team of mercs who go up against a sadistic cult leader when the latter gets his hands on some dangerous artifacts that could spell doom for the world. Our merry band of fortune hunters had to infiltrate the maniac’s impenetrable fortress where danger was the name of the game.

This film contained one of the most crazy, batshit endings ever as death and destruction rained down with our hero morphing into God knows what as he spit fire out at the unsuspecting enemy. It’s something that you really have to see to truly appreciate. It’s quite deliciously apocalyptic.

This May, Kino Lorber is ready to unleash the film in a newly restored special edition complete with restored 3D effects. Oh yeah, now we’re taking. Check out the cover art and details below, including the army of extras to go with it! I always loved the original key art by the way.

OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Coming May 10th from Kino Lorber Studio Classics

Treasure of the Four Crowns (1983)

• Newly Restored in 3-D by 3-D Film Archive, LLC

• NEW Audio Commentary by Film Historian Jason Pichonsky

• NEW Audio Interview with Star Tony Anthony Conducted by Filmmaker Douglas Hosdale

• Theatrical Trailer (Newly Mastered in 2K)

• Includes Both BD3D Polarized AND Anaglyphic (Red/Cyan) 3-D Versions

• Contains One Pair of Anaglyphic 3-D Glasses

• Limited Edition O-Card Slipcase

• 5.1 Surround & Lossless 2.0 DTS Audio

• Optional English Subtitles

Color 101 Minutes 2.35:1 Rated PG

When a set of mystical artifacts falls into the hands of a diabolical cult leader with plans for world domination, it’s up to the devil-may-care J.T. Striker (Tony Anthony, Comin’ at Ya!) to reclaim them. Together with a ragtag team of mercenaries, Striker must battle terrifying natural—and supernatural—enemies within a fortress-like temple where the stakes may be nothing less than the balance between good and evil. So get ready for an unforgettable adventure, with top-notch direction by Ferdinando Baldi (Django, Prepare a Coffin), thrilling score by the legendary Ennio Morricone (The Good, the Bad and the Ugly) and a fiery apocalyptic climax so real it’ll send you running for cover! This edition of Treasure of the Four Crowns comes with an eye-popping 3-D restoration by 3-D Film Archive!

I remember seeing this one in the theaters along with other 3D gems like Jaws 3D and Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared Syn. The latter might be my personal favorite. Nothing beat the red and blue 3D glasses that you wore during those days and I even remember TV stations putting 3D films on for broadcast where you’d go to your local convenience store to get the specs. Boy, those were the days.

I’m going to have to revisit Treasure of the Four Crowns for my Action Rewind section as I’ve not seen it in years but I sure do remember pieces of it, especially the climax.

We’ll let you know when pre-orders are up and running so keep it locked and loaded right here for more details to follow!

In the meantime, check out what I mean by watching the official trailer below! Cannon sure knew how to sale a movie back in the day.

Source: Dawn of the Discs on Facebook

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