Drafthouse Films revives The Visitor; HD-restored release set for this year

Last Updated on July 23, 2021

Do you remember 1979's phantasmagorical sci-fi oddity THE VISITOR? It was a strange little film that mashed up elements from THE OMEN, CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND, THE BIRDS, ROSEMARY'S BABY, THE FURY and STAR WARS into something truly memorable and featured a cast that included Lance Henriksen, Mel Ferrer, Shelley Winters, Franco Nero, Glen Ford and iconic film directors John Huston and Sam Peckinpah. If you've never gotten a chance to peep this oddity from Producer Ovidio G. Assonitis and Director/Professional Body Builder Michael J. Paradise, you'll have your chance later this year as Drafthouse Films has acquired the sci-fi/horror hybrid that 1979 audiences couldn't handle with plans for a theatrical, home video and VOD/digital release later in the year from an HD restoration of the film.

Ready for a synopsis? Ok, but hang on to your hats…

John Huston (The Maltese Falcon; Treasure Of The Sierra Madre) stars as an intergalactic warriorbattling alongside a cosmic Christ figure against a demonic eight-year-old girl and her pet hawk, as the fate of the universe hangs in the balance.

Insane enough for ya?

Drafthouse Films Creative Director Evan Husney says of the film…

This film is from another time, another place and another wholly different dimension and contains the highest JDPM (jaw-drops-per-minute) ratio out of any movie we have ever encountered. The Visitor is a repertory mainstay at the Alamo Drafthouse and is truly one of the most joyfully delirious theatrical experiences we've unleashed on our audiences. The world wasn't ready for this film in 1979, and it still may not be. Regardless, we are ecstatic to be able to reintroduce cinema's most colossally bizarro achievement. Ever."

If you've never been initiated to the zaniness that is THE VISITOR, after that quote I'm sure your interest is certainly piqued.

We'll keep you posted on when THE VISITOR will be knocking on our doors.