Being a fan of exploitation cinema, you learn pretty quickly that there are two kinds of distributors: companies that care about quality, and companies that want to turn a quick buck. The latter are much more numerous and the names of their companies tend not to stick. The former are fewer in number, and their products more expensive, but for good reason. These are the companies whose name denotes quality, uncut transfers of exploitation cinema. I'd like to share some quick notes about the best of the best:
Something Weird Video has been dedicated for years to providing the best in older underground cinema. In fact, all four of the Nasties made in the 1960s (Blood Feast, Love Camp 7, Night Of The Bloody Apes, Blood Rites aka The Ghastly Ones) are available from Something Weird on VHS and DVD. They also have the rights to Axe! aka Lisa, Lisa. You can check out their website here.
Grindhouse Releasing is run by film editor Bob Murawski and actor/director Sage Stallone. Their catalogue is smaller than some, but the quality is second to none. Exhaustive restoration, otherwise unavailable bonus features, and exquisite attention to detail are their hallmarks. Their Nasty output includes Cannibal Ferox and Cannibal Holocaust, and we have Sage and Bob to thank for bringing The Beyond to US shores in its' original, uncut, widescreen glory. For that alone, they deserve our praise. Throw in over-the-top shockers like Pieces and Un Gatto Nel Cervello, and you've got a reason to rejoice. For a full listing of titles offered by Grindhouse, plus a listing of their upcoming cinema screenings, check out their website.
Media Blaster's Shriek Show imprint collects an interesting sampling of Eurohorror, notably releasing Joe D'Amato's Nasty Antropophagus and his taxidermy love story Buio Omega, the Lucio Fulci/Bruno Mattei oddity Zombi 3, Lamberto Bava's Foto De Gioia, and (the most censored Nasty in terms of frames cut) Ruggero Deodato's The House On The Edge Of The Park. More on them can be found here.
Finally, no discussion of where to get the best in exploitation is valid if Blue Underground isn't mentioned. Founded by William Lustig (Maniac, Uncle Sam, the Maniac Cop trilogy) Blue Underground is the Criterion Collection of grindhouse cinema. Nasties released by BU include (but aren't limited to) The House By The Cemetery, Zombie Creeping Flesh aka Hell Of The Living Dead, Zombie Flesh Eaters aka Zombi 2, Late Night Trains and more. Again, high-quality, uncut, never any doubt that what you are getting is the best available version. Check out their catalogue (with full trailers for every film) by following this link.
There are other companies with quality product, of course, I don't want to malign anyone, but these are the Big Four. (I know I mentioned Criterion earlier, they have released one Video Nasty: Flesh For Frankenstein.) I write this little ol' series of articles on the Video Nasties not just for my own enjoyment and edification, but to encourage others to enjoy them and other forgotten cinema treasures as well, and y'all can't do that without the proper knowledge and tools, such as who to trust when it comes to procuring uncensored prints of exploitation cinema. You're welcome.
[As a side note to the free adspace I just gave those companies, you may not know that Google (which maintains the 'blogspot' domains) encourages its' bloggers to "monetize", meaning giving advertising space to whomever they choose on my page in exchange for payment of some kind. I don't do it because it's tacky, cheap, shallow, greedy and disrespectful. I don't want my readers suckered into clicking on some scam that I know nothing about just so I can grab a few extra pennies. There is no integrity in that kind of behavior, and you deserve more respect than that. You've taken the time to read my labor of love, and I appreciate that very much. Why should you be bombarded with hucksters, schemers and scam artists for that? The only correct answer is that you shouldn't. Period. However, if anyone wants to offer me writing work, that's another kettle of fish, and I will take any and all offers for writing (paid or pro bono) very seriously. Justin is stepping down from his soapbox now.]
Up next is Madhouse, so keep it dialed down and I'll keep a lookout. Because my name's Justin. JustinCase.
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