Intensive Care Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Intensive Care Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf April 30, 2026

The star power of George Kennedy is put to the test in 1991’s “Intensive Care.” It’s a Dutch production from director Dorna X. van Rouveroy, and she’s hoping a familiar face will help out the low-budget endeavor, paying the big bucks to bring Kennedy in for what’s truly an extended cameo, despite his dominating presence on the film’s marketing efforts. He’s not the center of attention in the feature, which is primarily focused on younger characters handling complicated love lives and more pressing matters of survival when a madman is unleashed from the local hospital. The helmer doesn’t have a particularly fresh take on slasher cinema, and “Intensive Care” isn’t very thrilling, often getting distracted with silly character issues, while movie maniac rampaging isn’t all that threatening.

Dr. Bruckner (George Kennedy) has lost his patience with St. Anna Hospital. He’s trying to achieve a “revolutionary advancement in medical science,” turning to shock therapy and brain transplants to help save coma patients, but his colleague, Dr. Horvath (Jules Croiset), refuses to help, cutting off his funding. Enraged, Dr. Bruckner drives home angry, only to be involved in a massive car accident, which leaves him in a coma. Seven years later, Peter (Koen Wauters) is an orderly at St. Anna, prone to goofing around on the job. It’s New Year’s Eve, and the young man is hoping to score a date with his longtime neighbor, Amy (Nada van Nie), but she’s involved with boyfriend Ted (Dick van den Toorn), planning to spend the evening with him, also taking care of her little brother, Bobby (Michiel Hess). Also looking to join the fun is Dr. Bruckner, who awakens from his coma in a killing mood, escaping from the hospital, looking for victims in the area. The monster makes it to Peter and Amy’s neighborhood, interrupting the couple’s battle of attraction as the night turns deadly for all.

Kennedy’s participation in “Intensive Care” only lasts about ten minutes. He plays Dr. Bruckner as an easily frustrated man, trying to perfect his medical revolution, though the feature doesn’t spend much time explaining exactly what the fractured man of medicine is really looking to accomplish. What is clear is his rage, and an explosive highway accident puts him back in the hospital as a patient, allowing van Rouveroy to refocus on younger characters, with Peter a bored orderly happy to pull pranks on his co-workers. This includes nurse Kim (Lone van Roosendaal), who’s the first victim of Dr. Bruckner’s reawakening, also representing the production’s periodic interest in grisliness, which the picture could definitely use more of.

“Intensive Care” soon follows Peter’s woes in love, pining for Amy, who’s occupied with Ted, though she really doesn’t like her boyfriend. Peter keeps himself busy with his saxophone, and van Rouveroy tries to shape a game of love, keeping the young man in Amy’s view as he fights to get out of the friend zone. The helmer isn’t too focused on the consistency of these relationships, spending a little time on genre needs, including sex and nudity, and there’s Bobby, a kid who enjoys repairing electrical items and playing the piano, contributing to a jam session with his sister (on guitar) and Peter. “Intensive Care” gets very strange with personal issues, and van Rouveroy isn’t the most accomplished filmmaker, keeping things clunky as she tries to play to expectations and add personal moments, contributing to an overall awkwardness to the

Intensive Care Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The image presentation (1.85:1 aspect ratio) for "Intensive Care" opens with an information card explaining that the release "represents the English language director's cut of the film." Also, "the image portion was restored by Vinegar Syndrome from a combination of its 35mm original camera negative and a 35mm answer print." The differences between sources is easily spotted during the viewing experience, but the picture delivers on detail, offering a rich sense of skin particulars on the cast, along with makeup work on the maniac. Clothing retains fibrousness as it explores period style and hospital uniforms. Interiors maintain depth, and decorative additions are easily explored. Exteriors are dimensional. Color is alert, with strong primaries on clothing and house tours. Hospital hues are sharp with whites and greens. Blood remains a deep red, and fire elements are orangey. Skin tones are natural. Delineation is satisfactory, securing crisp evening action. Grain is nicely resolved, though heaviness differs between the sources. Some mild frame damage is found, along with light scratches.

Intensive Care Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA track is listed as "provided by director Dorna X. van Rouveroy, in an adjusted mix." Dubbed dialogue exchanges, while messy at times, are always intelligible, offering distinct performance choices and balanced intensity. Scoring support with clear instrumentation, joined by musical performances in the picture. Surrounds aren't noticeably engaged, and low-end isn't challenged. Sound effects are appreciable. A 2.0 "Stereo" track is also available.

Intensive Care Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film historians Yfke van Berckalaer and Bram Roza.

• "35 Years Later" (22:45, HD) is an interview with director Dorna X. van Rouveroy, joined by moderator Bonnie Williams. The duo take a trip back in time to the production of "Intensive Care," with two versions of the picture produced to service Dutch audiences and international reach. The helmer explores casting choices (delighted to be working with George Kennedy, handling his demands) and her position as the first female director of a Dutch horror film, also dissecting local reaction to the feature, which has grown in cult appreciation over the decades (thanks to its major success in the home video market). The interviewee shares her upbringing and introduction to the movie business via her father, cinematographer Robert Rouveroy. Some production tales are shared, and van Rouveroy returns to her music video career to highlight visual ideas recycled for the horror picture. She also updates viewers on her professional achievements.

• Behind-the-Scenes (8:54, SD) examines the creation of "Intensive Care," and while it includes a brief interview with actor George Kennedy, most of the featurette provides a fly-on-the-wall examination of the production process. Driving stunts are highlighted, detailing how certain thriller shots were achieved. Special effects are examined as well, exploring the process that goes into creating a proper screen death.

• And a Trailer (2:12, HD) is included.

Intensive Care Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Intensive Care" adds moments from Dr. Bruckner's massacre during the first two acts, but the monster is mostly involved in the climax, eliminating parents and cops on the case. The picture doesn't contain any surprises, sticking close to slasher formula as the young characters begin to fight for their lives, battling a determined foe with a hazy backstory. It's not a film with real frights, lacking a creepier villain, though van Rouveroy keeps blood flowing, also setting up a goofy but amusing ending as the characters turn to unusual weapons to deal with their problem. "Intensive Care" has a few highlights, including interesting lighting for a low-budget effort, but there's no menace to the movie, and very little Kennedy, leaving most of the viewing experience to the tepid ways of youthful attraction.