6.4 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 2.5 | |
Overall | 2.5 |
Dr. Peter Chandler and a reporter named Lori discover a rash of cannibalism in New York. Soon the two have traced the cannibalistic activity to a remote island where they encounter a tribe of cannibals and a mad scientist who appears to be experimenting with reanimating dead corpses. The result of this work is four bloodthirsty zombies who roam the island and, along with the cannibals, wreak havoc on Lori and Dr. Peter's expedition.
Starring: Ian McCulloch, Alexandra Delli Colli, Sherry Buchanan, Donald O'Brien, DakarHorror | 100% |
Foreign | 33% |
Video codec: HEVC / H.265
Video resolution: 4K (2160p)
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono
Italian: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Four-disc set (4 BDs)
4K Ultra HD
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 2.0 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 5.0 | |
Overall | 2.5 |
Severin Films, long the purveyors of cult items, may have hit whatever the four disc version of a trifecta might be with this release, which offers 1080 and 4K UHD formats of Zombi(e) Holocaust and its Americanized cousin Doctor Butcher M.D. Zombi Holocaust was previously released in 4K UHD by 88 Films for the Region B UK market, and judging solely on the basis of screenshots, this release looks substantially different. Rather interestingly, while both releases offer a really great slate of supplements, there doesn't appear to be any shared material between the two.
Note: Screenshots are sourced from the 1080 discs included in this package. I've tried to come close to matching frames of some of the
screenshots Svet included in his review of the 88 Films release so that those interested can do a side by side comparison.
Zombie Holocaust and Doctor Butcher M.D. are presented in 4K UHD courtesy of Severin Films with HEVC / H.265 encoded 2160p
transfers in 1.85:1. Similarly, the 1080 presentations in this four disc set are encoded via AVC and are in 1.85:1. Kind of interestingly, while the 88
Films release back cover states that it was culled from a "4K restoration of from the original 2 perf Techniscope negative", this release only mentions
that both films have been "scanned in 4K from original vault elements discovered in Manhattan and Rome". While knowing the location of the elements
may be of interest to some, I know I for one would have much preferred to know what kind of elements provided the source, as this is a
manifestly different looking presentation than the one offered by 88 Films (again, judging solely by screenshots and some of Svet's comments in the
review). Both versions of the film show some of the same anomalies in their shared footage, and since Doctor Butcher M.D. is really not
that much different from Zombie Holocaust, I'll concentrate on Zombie Holocaust, since that has the 88 Films release some
may want to compare this with. This is a much darker presentation than the 88 Films release, something that tends to at least slightly tamp down the
palette, even with HDR/Dolby Vision, and which probably offers a significantly grittier looking grain field. The 88 Films version looks like it has a
pronounced tendency toward blue grading that is certainly not as prevalent here (contrast screenshot 5 of this review with screenshot 1 of the 88 Films
version for just one example). Whatever element was utilized also has some
pretty noticeable age related wear and tear, including quite a few nicks, blemishes and rather large scratches. There is occasional image instability,
especially in the very early going in both versions.
Zombie Holocaust features either Italian or English language versions in DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono. Doctor Butcher M.D. features an English track in DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono. The Italian language track on Zombie Holocaust sounded considerably more full bodied than the English track to my ears, something that is especially noticeable when Nico Fidenco's pulsing synth laden score is playing. While there's nothing overly problematic with the English language track, and it's obvious Ian McCullough and at least some of the other principal actors were speaking English during the shoot, for those who like Fidenco's music, the Italian track is probably the way to go. Some of the almost brash electronic effects can be a little on the bright side in both tracks. Dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly throughout. Optional English subtitles are available.
Disc One: Doctor Butcher M.D. (4K UHD)
My hunch is those aforementioned cultists Severin tends to cater to will find both pluses and minuses to this release. This features both versions of the film, which should certainly be a plus, but the video presentation in particular struck me as somewhat less pleasing than the 88 Films version. This release has some outstanding supplements, though that said, so does the 88 Films release. Completists may want to consider this version for its inclusion of Doctor Butcher M.D. and the supplemental features.
Le notti del terrore
1981
Zombi 2 / Zombie Flesh Eaters
1979
1981
1980
Virus / Apocalipsis Caníbal / Zombie Creeping Flesh / Night of the Zombies
1980
Buio Omega
1979
Limited Edition of 3000 | Zombi 3 | Zombie Flesh Eaters 2
1988
Rosso Sangue
1981
Paura nella città dei morti viventi | Standard Edition
1980
Quella villa accanto al cimitero
1981
E tu vivrai nel terrore - L'aldilà | Glow in the Dark Cover | Limited Edition to 3000
1981
Un gatto nel cervello | Glow in the Dark Cover & Mini Portrait of Lucio Fulci Limited Edition to 3000
1990
Il paese del sesso selvaggio / Man From Deep River / Deep River Savages
1972
1980
Incubo sulla città contaminata
1980
Nightmares in a Damaged Brain
1981
Alien Contamination | Limited Edition Slipcase to 1000
1980
Limited Edition of 3000 | Zombi 4 | Oltre la morte
1989
Also Includes = I Eat Your Skin and Blue Sextet
1970
El caníbal
1980