Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.0

The Torture Chamber of Dr. Sadism Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman June 25, 2021

Note: This version of this film is available on Blu-ray as part of The Eurocrypt of Christopher Lee Collection.

According to the typically semi-reliable IMDb, Christopher Lee amassed an almost astounding 282 acting credits over the course of his long and venerable career. If many younger viewers tend to understandably associate him with films like The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy and/or Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones, and if somewhat more seasoned audience members may link him to his long run of so-called "Hammer Horror" outings which account for over twenty of those acting credits and include films like The Curse of Frankenstein, there is obviously by dint of the sheer number included on the IMDb's list a veritable glut of roles with which even diehard Lee fans may not be all that familiar. Severin Films has come to the rescue of Lee fans on the hunt for some rarer titles featuring the actor, amassing five feature films and all the surviving episodes of Lee's anthology series Theatre Macabre, along with a treasure trove of supplementary material.

The Torture Chamber of Dr. Sadism is the only film in this set which has had a previous release on Blu-ray, and in fact it was Severin Films itself which featured the film as part of its The Hemisphere Box of Horrors. As I mentioned in my The Torture Chamber of Dr. Sadism Blu-ray review of that first version, its inclusion seemed odd given the obviously substandard condition of the elements used, and I assumed that the marquee value of having a Christopher Lee film in the boxed set was what led to its inclusion. My first review provides a brief plot summary and also has screenshots that can probably show more clearly than I can describe just what an upgrade in video quality this new version offers.

The Torture Chamber of Dr. Sadism Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The Torture Chamber of Dr. Sadism is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Severin Films with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.57:1. Wow! What a difference a couple of years can make, especially when considering that Severin's previous release of this title was sourced off of two clearly inferior and highly problematic 16mm prints, while this release is, to quote from the back cover, "scanned in 4K from the original German negative". The slightly narrow aspect ratio may be a bit disconcerting to some, but I didn't notice any huge framing issues. The difference in image quality otherwise is absolutely striking, both in terms of the often gorgeously suffused palette in this new version, but also in terms of general detail levels, which bring a whole new aspect to elements like the costumes and props. There are occasional very slight fluctuations in density, and some of the outdoor location work may not offer the same generally excellent clarity as the bulk of the presentation. Grain resolves naturally throughout.

The Torture Chamber of Dr. Sadism Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Torture Chamber of Dr. Sadism features DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono tracks in either English or German. The German track has much higher amplitude and an overall fuller sound which can also sound a little phased at times. The English language track, while not as generally robust, delivers its elements well enough. There is some noticeable hiss and crackle at play on the English language track at times. Optional English subtitles are available.

The Torture Chamber of Dr. Sadism Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Audio Commentary by Mondo Digital's Nathaniel Thompson and Film Writer Troy Howarth


• Audio Interview with Actress Karin Dor (HD; 25:22) plays to various stills and is in German with English subtitles.


• Location Featurette (HD; 7:41) bears the subtitle 1967 - 2020 , and seems to be a German production featuring Markus Wolf offering introductory comments in German with English subtitles.


• Die Schlangengrube - Die Burg des Grauens (SD; 16:44) is a German Super 8 digest short. In German with English subtitles.


• Die Schlangengrube des Grafen Dracula (SD; 16:03) is a German Super 8 digest short. In German with English subtitles.


• Theatrical Trailer (HD; 3:13)


• Teaser Trailer (HD; 1:11)


• Behind the Scenes Still Gallery (HD)


• Poster Gallery (HD)


• Restoration Slideshow (HD) is kind of weird in that it is pictures of a monitor and the editing suite, with occasional hands on keyboards. I would have loved to have seen an actual restoration featurette.

The Torture Chamber of Dr. Sadism Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

No longer consigned by Severin to be a "bonus disc" sourced from inferior elements, The Torture Chamber of Dr. Sadism may not be an undiscovered masterpiece, but it's certainly more able to be appreciated in this great looking new transfer. Audio has occasional slight issues, but the disc also comes with some enjoyable supplements, for those who are considering a purchase.