Carnival of Souls (1962) Blu-Ray Special Edition | Criterion Collection

A haunting and atmospheric horror classic, Carnival of Souls follows a young woman, Mary Henry (Candace Hilligoss), who mysteriously survives a drag race accident in Kansas. Seeking a fresh start, she takes a job as a church organist in Salt Lake City, only to be plagued by eerie visions of a ghostly apparition. Drawn to an abandoned lakeside pavilion, she becomes entangled in a macabre nightmare that blurs the line between reality and the supernatural. Directed by Herk Harvey, this low-budget masterpiece blends striking cinematography, an unsettling organ score, and dreamlike storytelling, leaving a lasting influence on generations of filmmakers.

Key Features

• New, restored 4K digital transfer with uncompressed monaural soundtrack
• Selected-scene audio commentary with director Herk Harvey and screenwriter John Clifford
• New interview with comedian and writer Dana Gould
• Video essay by film critic David Cairns
• The Movie That Wouldn’t Die! – a documentary on the 1989 cast and crew reunion
• The Carnival Tour – a 2000 update on the film’s iconic locations
• Excerpts from Centron Corporation films, where Harvey and Clifford once worked
• Deleted scenes and outtakes featuring Gene Moore’s eerie organ score
• History of the Saltair Resort, where key scenes were filmed
• Theatrical trailer
• English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• PLUS: An essay by writer and programmer Kier-La Janisse
• New cover art by Edward Kinsella

A true cult classic, Carnival of Souls delivers an unforgettable blend of psychological horror and haunting imagery. Whether you're a longtime fan or discovering it for the first time, this Blu-ray special edition offers a definitive experience of this timeless thriller.