The Cardona Collection: Volume One [Treasure of the Amazon / the Bermuda Triangle / Cyclone] Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.0

The Cardona Collection: Volume One [Treasure of the Amazon / the Bermuda Triangle / Cyclone] Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf June 30, 2021

Rene Cardona Jr. likes to make movies. He’s churned out an enormous amount of product during his years as a director, living up to his second- generation helming status with an unquenchable thirst for the production process. Vinegar Syndrome brings three of his efforts to Blu-ray, packaging “Cyclone,” “The Bermuda Triangle,” and “Treasure of the Amazon” together, which acts as a decent primer for Cardona Jr.’s iffy storytelling abilities and his hunt for B-movie glory.

Click here for a review of The Bermuda Triangle

Click here for a review of Cyclone

Click here for a review of Treasure of the Amazon

The Cardona Collection: Volume One [Treasure of the Amazon / the Bermuda Triangle / Cyclone] Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

See above for reviews.

The Cardona Collection: Volume One [Treasure of the Amazon / the Bermuda Triangle / Cyclone] Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

See above for reviews.

The Cardona Collection: Volume One [Treasure of the Amazon / the Bermuda Triangle / Cyclone] Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The Bermuda Triangle

• "Triangle of Fear" (22:09, HD) is an interview with producer Angelo Iacono, who delves into the power of the Bermuda Triangle legend, playing up its mysteries to inspire the film, which enjoyed some additional promotion when a plane actually crashed in the Triangle right when the feature was set for release. The boat used in the picture is detailed, along with use of a Naval ship. Casting is examined, finding Iacono pleased with his deal-making, repeating how little the cast was paid for their efforts. Choices in dolls and music are analyzed, and a few production achievements are shared.

• "Escaping the Triangle" (18:45, HD) is an interview with Rene Cardona III, who was an actor in the film and worked as an underwater still photographer. Story inspirations are recalled, with Cardona Jr. interested in the mysteries of the Bermuda Triangle, coming up with the cursed doll idea to help manufacture a story. Boat life is remembered, along with the presence of John Huston, with Cardona III peppering the legend with questions. Shot back-to-back with "Cyclone," "The Bermuda Triangle" shares similar technical achievements with the other picture, and the interviewee details his father's directorial approach. The successful release of the movie is also recalled, with Cardona III still holding out hope for a sequel.

• Collection of Foreign Titles and Credits (5:30, HD) are offered.

• Still Gallery (2:16) collects poster art and film stills.

• A Trailer has not been included on this release.

Cyclone

• Alternate Spanish Language Version (119:39) is offered.

• "The Eye of the Cyclone" (32:36, HD) is an interview with producer Angelo Iacono, who admits he was in a bad financial place when he moved from Italy to Mexico to keep producing movies. Meeting Rene Cardona Jr., Iacono was immediately impressed, with the pair going to work on "The Bermuda Triangle." During the shoot, an idea for a second film was proposed, with Cardona Jr. keeping the crew and some of the cast for another eight weeks to make "Cyclone." Special effects are detailed, including the plane used in the feature, which remains at the bottom of the ocean near Cozumel. Casting achievements are highlighted and the use of sharks is recalled. The graphic dog slaughtering scene is also analyzed. The interviewee offers warm memories of Cardona Jr., and admits that while "The Bermuda Triangle" made him very rich, "Cyclone" was a flop.

• "Surviving the Cyclone" (18:29, HD) is an interview with Rene Cardona III, who shares that "Cyclone" was the third film of three productions in 1977 for his father, with the U.S./Italy co-production setting up the material as "Survive II." Blending into the family business, Cardona III provides some memories from the shoot, also commenting on his father's filmmaking style. Casting is highlighted and editing is celebrated, with the interviewee learning much about the moviemaking process from Alfredo Rosas Priego. Cardona III examines his favorite scenes and remains surprised by the cult longevity of "Cyclone."

• "Beware of Sharks" (16:27, HD) is a video conference interview with actress Carroll Baker, who recalls her initial hiring, pulled off a beach in New York and set down on one in Cozumel. Baker mostly shares brief anecdotes about the "Cyclone" shoot, including co-star Lionel Stander's love of local marijuana and her own refusal to get into the ocean with a live shark, which had been dragged around for hours on a rope to tire it out. The interviewee generally remembers an easy shoot with limited makeup demands, and she plugs her current career as an author.

• Still Gallery (2:39) collects poster art, press kit pages, and film stills.

• A Trailer has not been included on this release.

Treasure of the Amazon

• Still Gallery (2:40) collects poster art, film stills, and publicity shots.

• A Trailer has not been included in this release.

The Cardona Collection: Volume One [Treasure of the Amazon / the Bermuda Triangle / Cyclone] Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Vinegar Syndrome deals with a few technical issues in "The Cardona Collection," but the presentations reflect the company's usual commitment to quality, finding ways to refresh largely forgotten features. Supplementary material is surprisingly packed as well, collecting memories from production participants and those who knew Rene Cardona Jr. best.