Thank you for posting a very frank and clear evaluation of the DVD, CrabTongs.
I added this title to my Netflix queue ages ago and Netflix still has it flagged as "Short Wait" at the top of my queue. (Hmph!) After reading what you had to say about the quality of DVD I don't think I'll so much mind the wait.
I read a couple reviews online that seemed guarded about the source materials for this DVD (one reviewer almost too-politely suggested this DVD was a "step in the right direction" even though it wasn't as good as the "official" claim distributor Legend House purports on their box art).
I then ran across a big brouhaha (worth reading) over the possibly dubious quality of Legend House's source materials for this DVD (and at least one other LH release) at the AVManiacs.com forum (link below). Definitely worth reading. Fur flies in all directions as LH rep Lynnie Legend fields accusations of piracy; the "maniacs" board locals rush to her defense like a fire brigade; there's vicious name calling; someone's ejected from the board; there;s even handwringing over collusion. Oh, it's a treat. Read between the lines for best effect:
http://www.avmaniacs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30395&highlight=legend+house
Sure, it's the same melodrama you would expect to wade through on ANY forum, only in this case the fuss happens to be over a couple of really cool Euro-trash gems, beloved by countless nostalgic 40-Somethings like me who, as schoolboys, watched these movies on late-nite local TV.
PS: I hope you enjoy DEATH SMILES ON A MURDERER -- it's weird, senseless at times, but with great atmosphere, some creative photography and editing, and a groovy 70s sensibility about sex. At times it seems like ELVIRA MADIGAN gone mad. Both films on this disc have music scores that are outstanding.
UPDATE: I received my rental from Netflix and a have been enjoying it...sorta.
I would have to agree with those out there that see this Legend House release as a missed opportunity for both films involved (source elements on this dvd are clearly substandard). I suppose it's better to have something in-hand than nothing at all, however. The folksy, homespum Legend House presentation seems to underscore this, though their use of the term "official" in regards to this presentation appears to be a slight exaggeration (WINK WINK).
The source material used for DEATH SMILES ON A MURDERER in particular seems to be the same as that used for an "off-off-off-brand" VHS I bought a few years ago, purportedly made off of an Asian laserdisc. TORTURE CHAMBER OF DR SADISM is watchable, though far from scrubbed-up. I'm grateful to see it in widescreen, anyhow, but sure wish the best source elements had been used. OH WELL. For all anyone knows, these might BE the best source elements (and isn't that a scary thought?).
A few extras pad the package, including commentaries by pedigreed film buffs, but it all falls a bit flat after a while (too many "uhhhhs..." weigh down any pertinent information). One wacky extra is merely a video clip of Johnny Legend interviewing movie patrons about the various distribution titles for VAMPIRE HOOKERS.
As rentals go, this seems to be harmless fun, but imho doesn't warrant an actual purchase. If another company decides to dig deep into Teutonic vaults and present better film elements I'd be more persuaded to shell-out for a more "official" region 1 package of either film. I'm just glad I rented it first.
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Evangelical Christians are the new Nazis. Believe it.
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