Arrow Video has just unveiled details about the upcoming release of Mario Bava’s 1961 historical adventure, Erik the Conqueror, bringing the movie to Blu-Ray Disc for the first time in September.

In 1961, director Mario Bava turned his hand to the historical adventure genre, capitalizing on the recent success of 1958’s Kirk Douglas vehicle The Vikings. The result was a colorful, swashbuckling epic of treachery, heroism and forbidden love: Erik the Conqueror. 

In 786 AD, the invading Viking forces are repelled from the shores of England, leaving behind a young boy – Erik, son of the slain Viking king. Years later, Erik (George Ardisson, Juliet of the Spirits), raised by the English queen as her own, becomes Duke of Helford, while across the sea, his brother Eron (Cameron Mitchell, Blood and Black Lace) assumes leadership of the Viking horde and sets his sights on conquering England once again, setting the two estranged brothers on a collision course that will determine the fates of their respective kingdoms… 

Featuring a bombastic score by frequent collaborator Roberto Nicolosi (Black Sunday) and memorably co-starring the stunning Kessler twins (Sodom and Gomorrah), Erik the Conqueror showcases Bava’s immense talent for creating awe-inspiring spectacle with limited resources. 

Restored from the original camera negative, Erik the Conqueror will feature a brand new high definition transfer with the original mono audio in English and Italian. The release also features a Commentary Track by Tim Lucas, author of Mario Bava – All the Colors of the Dark and the movie’s Original Ending.

The Featurette Gli imitatori is a comparison between Erik the Conqueror and its unacknowledged source, The Vikings.

As an added bonus, the release will also feature a Reversible Sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Graham Humphreys. If you are quick to grab a copy, the First Pressing of the release will also contain a Collector’s Booklet featuring new writing on the film by critic Kat Ellinger.

Erik the Conqueror arrives as a 2-disc Blu-Ray/DVD Combo in stores on September 12 for $39.95.