88 Films

[reaky]

Quite a nice sale on there at the moment. Don’t confine yourself to the Sale section, as lots of things are half-price.

[colinr0380]

The reviews for the Naziploitation flick are particularly poor sadly.

That's probably the most (in)famous of all the Nazisploitation films that got caught in the video nasties situation, which along with Cannibal Holocaust's graphic cover had its cover image of the crucified upside down topless woman (although given a painted on bikini, which made it... more acceptable?) being used in all of the tabloid headlines as examples of the kinds of shocking films appearing on the unregulated video maket in the UK in the early 80s. The cover probably did it no favours over and above the content of the film, although to give it its due the scene does actually feature in the film itself and was not just created for the artwork (although the bikini was). The film itself is OK but pure exploitation fare - lots of focusing on human experiments (including the freezing and smashing of limbs long before Men Behind The Sun notoriously did it), with I seem to remember the main plot being about our undercover hero getting somehow talked into being unwittingly castrated (in a graphic surgical scene and with the classic line "What have you done with my balls!" once he wakes up), whilst the Nazis are holding orgies before we get the inevitable Ilsa-esque prisoner uprising and taking revenge climax. I seem to remember that its most striking (and tasteless) scene is probably the early one with a pile of (again topless) female corpses from the latest experiments being thrown into an oven, before flames are superimposed over the bodies doing spasmodic, almost modern dance-style, movements.

So it is probably not worth seeing as anything more than a historical curiosity as kind of the end point of the subgenre as it went from the arthouse entries like The Damned and The Night Porter, through Salon Kitty, and taking an influence from Ilsa: She-Wolf of the SS, before eventually getting to things like this and The Beast In Heat. The one pure exploitation Nazisploitation film at this terminal point of the subgenre that I might tentatively recommend (albeit with massive content warnings) would perhaps be The Gestapo's Last Orgy, because at least that one is trying to do a take on the downbeat and tragic Night Porter love-hate compulsive relationship story through an exploitation film lens. But still approach all these ones with caution, and with the knowledge that they're more interested in revelling in the sadism than saying anything in particular about the era.

[yoloswegmaster]

EXTRAS:

High Definition Blu-Ray Presentation in 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio
2.0 Cantonese Mono with English Subtitles
5.1 Cantonese DTS-HD MA with English Subtitles
2.0 English Mono
5.1 English DTS-HD MA
Audio Commentary by HK Cinema Experts Frank Djeng and F.J. DeSanto
Yuen Biao on Peacock King
Tony Rayns on Peacock King
Additional Footage from the Japanese Release
English Opening Titles
English Closing Credits
Image Gallery
Original Trailer

[Peacock]

The reviews for the Naziploitation flick are particularly poor sadly.

But still approach all these ones with caution, and with the knowledge that they're more interested in revelling in the sadism than saying anything in particular about the era.

Thanks for the write up Colin. Gestapo’s Last Orgy surprised me as well, it’s relatively artsy compared to the others I’ve had the dubious pleasure of seeing. Still not a masterpiece but it’s something anyway..The Beast in Heat on the other hand was just an awful mess, with too much focus on partisan fighters and not enough Beast!

[dwk]

I saw it mentioned on the Kung Fu Fandom forum that The Cat will now include the Japanese version of the film (in standard def, unfortunately)

[dwk]

The US release of The Cat has been removed from MVD's website. I don't know if the limited edition has sold out or if the release has been cancelled.(Diabolik has said they have their copies.)

[mhofmann]

The US release of The Cat has been removed from MVD's website. I don't know if the limited edition has sold out or if the release has been cancelled.(Diabolik has said they have their copies.)

I ordered the US release from Amazon.com back in May, and a few days ago they retracted their estimated delivery date and changed it to "We will email you as soon as we have a delivery date", just saying "Order received" on my order page. Which is often a precursor to them canceling the order outright. So it could be related to stock allocation or any other reason, actually.

I quickly ordered the UK release just now.

[dwk]

MifuenFan over at the Blu-ray.com forum said that Frank Djeng said it is just sold out, so I assume a standard release is happening soon.

[dwk]

The Cat is cut by 15 seconds. If your machine is set to region A it is uncut.

[colinr0380]

It appears that a lot of ex-Indicator released titles are coming out in new separate Blu and DVD editions over the next month from 88 Films:
No Orchids For Miss Blandish (20th October)
Who? (27th October)
Absolution (10th November)
They Made Me A Fugitive (17th November)
Time Without Pity (17th November)
As well as Prey from the Norman J. Warren box

Plus the latest "Japanarchy" release is going to be Takashii Miike's 2014 film Over Your Dead Body (apparently a kind of meta-take on the Ghost Story of Yotsuya story) on 15th December, with a Tom Mes commentary. That previously had a DVD-only edition with just its trailer as an extra from Yume Pictures on its first UK release, so this will be much appreciated upgrade.

[jlnight]

It appears that a lot of ex-Indicator released titles are coming out in new separate Blu and DVD editions over the next month from 88 Films:
No Orchids For Miss Blandish (20th October)
Who? (27th October)
Absolution (10th November)
They Made Me A Fugitive (17th November)
Time Without Pity (17th November)
As well as Prey from the Norman J. Warren box

When they were on Indicator they were licensed from Screenbound (Absolution was credited as being from Euro London). They now reside with Hollywood Classics, along with the likes of Scum and Black Joy. I was in the BFI Shop this month and saw the new edition of Scum on the shelves. The credit on the back says it was licensed from Tigon via Hollywood Classics. I thought Tigon was one of those legacy names, I didn't know it was a rightsholder in its own right.

[Finch]

Duel to the Death getting a US Bluray release in February or thereabouts

O-RING SLIP CASE WITH NEW ARTWORK BY KUNG FU BOB
2K RESTORATION FROM THE ORIGINAL NEGATIVE
REMASTERED ORIGINAL CANTONESE MONOAURAL SOUNDTRACK
5.1 DTS-HD MA Cantonese Re-Mix
NEWLY TRANSLATED ENGLISH SUBTITLES
English Dub Option
Audio Commentary with Asian Cinema Expert Frank Djeng
Duel Identity – Archival interview with actor Norman Chui Siu-keung
Flora Cheung on Duel to the Death – Archival interview with actress Flora Cheung
Alternate English credits
Image Gallery
Original Hong Kong Trailer
Reconstructed Tai Seng Trailer
Reversible Sleeve

As is She Shoots Straight

Extras
O-RING SLIP CASE WITH NEW ARTWORK BY SEAN LONGMORE
2K RESTORATION FROM THE ORIGINAL NEGATIVE
REMASTERED ORIGINAL CANTONESE MONOAURAL SOUNDTRACK
NEWLY TRANSLATED ENGLISH SUBTITLES
English Dub Option
Audio Commentary with Asian Cinema Expert Frank Djeng
Alternate English credits
Image Gallery
Original Hong Kong Trailer
Reversible Sleeve

[Finch]

January 2026 titles announced:

THE DELIGHTFUL FOREST

From martial arts master Chang Cheh and co-director Pao Hsueh-li comes The Delightful Forest, a ferocious Shaw Brothers tale of honor, vengeance, and explosive retribution. After being imprisoned for avenging his family’s disgrace, legendary hero Wu Sung (Ti Lung) befriends a compassionate prison officer who spares him from certain death. When a corrupt thug known as “Door God” seizes his friend’s tavern, Wu vows to repay his debt — and restore justice — the only way he knows how: through unstoppable, bone-crunching combat. Brimming with Chang Cheh’s trademark intensity, Ni Kuang’s sharp storytelling, and stunning action choreography by Lau Kar-Leung (Drunken Master II), The Delightful Forest delivers heroic bloodshed, loyalty, and pure Shaw Brothers spectacle at its finest.

EXTRAS

• High Definition Blu-ray presentation in 2.35:1 Aspect Ratio
• Original Mandarin and Cantonese Mono 2.0 audio tracks with newly translated optional English Subtitles
• English dubbed Mono
• Audio Commentary by David West
• Warrior Lady - An Interview with Yu Feng
• Image Gallery
• Re-issue Trailer
• Reversible sleeve with brand-new artwork from Aurelio Lorenzo and original Hong Kong art

SECRET SERVICE OF THE IMPERIAL COURT

During the Ming Dynasty, the Emperor’s elite Chin Yi Secret Service was created to crush rebellion — but under the corrupt rule of Eunuch Wang Chun (Lau Wing), it has become a weapon of tyranny. Loyal captain Chao Pu-Fan (Leung Kar-Yan) faithfully carries out brutal orders until he realizes he’s merely a pawn in Wang’s reign of terror. When he defies the command to murder innocents, Pu-Fan becomes the hunted, forced to fight his own family and the empire itself to reclaim his honor.

Packed with breathtaking martial arts, political intrigue, and tragic heroism, Secret Service of the Imperial Court stands as one of Shaw Brothers’ most gripping and emotionally charged epics.

EXTRAS

• High Definition Blu-ray presentation in 2.35:1 Aspect Ratio
• Original Mandarin and Cantonese Mono 2.0 audio tracks with newly translated optional English Subtitles
• Reversible sleeve with brand-new artwork from R.P. “Kung Fu Bob” O’Brien and original Hong Kong art

DEVIL TIMES FIVE


When Julie, her boyfriend Rick, and a group of friends gather for a getaway at her wealthy father’s remote Lake Arrowhead chalet, their weekend of drinking and bickering takes a sinister turn with the arrival of five stranded children. Offering them shelter seems like an act of kindness—until the guests discover their young visitors have just escaped from an asylum... and have murder on their minds.

A drive-in horror favorite infamous for its shocking violence, dark humor, and twisted “killer kids” premise, Sean MacGregor’s Devil Times Five (aka The Horrible House on the Hill and Peopletoys) stars Leif Garrett and Sorrell Booke. Newly restored in 4K from the original 35mm negative, this definitive edition delivers the ultimate experience of a cult classic gone feral.

EXTRAS

• High Definition Blu-ray presentation in 1.85:1 aspect ratio
• 2.0 LPCM Dual-Mono • Optional English SDH subtitles
• Audio Commentary by The Hysteria Continues!
• Archival commentary track with actresses Joan McCall and Dawn Lyn, producer Michael Blowitz and uncredited co-director David Sheldon, moderated by Darren Gross
• “Puppeteering” - an interview with second assistant director Walter Dominguez
• “Daddy’s Home” - an interview with Bruce Wank, son of executive producer Jordan M. Wank
• “Holiday from Hell” - an interview with Nightmare USA author Stephen Thrower
• Archival featurette comprising interviews with actors Tierre Turner, Joan McCall, Dawn Lyn, producer Michael Blowitz and co-director David Sheldon
• Bonus archival interviews
• Alternate DEVIL TIMES FIVE title card
• Theatrical trailer• Reversible Sleeve

GARDENIA

In the criminal underworld of Rome, Gardenia (Franco Califano) reigns as a suave and respected figure within the city’s organized crime scene. But when a powerful new drug syndicate muscles in on his territory, the old-school gangster is forced to fight back — igniting a brutal war for control of the streets. Torn between loyalty, pride, and survival, Gardenia must decide how far he’ll go to protect his empire and his code.

Stylish, gritty, and soaked in late-’70s atmosphere, Gardenia: Il giustiziere della mala blends crime drama, revenge thriller, and Euro-cult cool into a hard-hitting slice of Italian underworld cinema — complete with a pulsing soundtrack and unforgettable performances.

EXTRAS

• High Definition Blu-ray TM presentation in 1.85:1 aspect ratio
• 2.0 English Dual Mono
•2.0 Italian Dual Mono with English Subtitles
• Audio commentary with Italian cinema experts Eugenio Ercolani and Nanni Cobretti
• Gino of All Trades - An interview with writer Gino Capone
• Who Framed the Caliph? - An interview with cinematographer Sergio Rubini
• Pac Men - An interview with Italian cinema expert Eugenio Ercolani
• Reversible sleeve featuring new art by Joel Robinson

[Finch]

February titles so far:

Swamp Thing 4K (FiM encode confirmed)
Holy Smoke BD
Dragon Lord 4K

[nicolas]

Info re. Eleven Days, Eleven Nights 2 4K:

The booklet only includes an essay by Dr. Calum Waddell, despite having been promoted as having writing by both Waddell and Rachael Nisbet. Not sure what happened there.

[Finch]

Picture of a Nymph with Yuen Biao (BD) is the last February announcement for now; another title will be revealed later. Supposedly they are going to announce March titles starting tomorrow.

[Finch]

ANNOUNCEMENT***

March 2026 releases!

THE PROTECTOR 4K UHD
(Stay tuned for the Web Exclusive)

SORORITY HOUSE MASSACRE 4K UHD

FADE TO BLACK 4K UHD

SAKURAN

STRIPPED TO KILL

SHANGO

HELTER SKELTER

More details to come!

[beamish14]

Stripped to Kill is a nice pick-up. I wish someone would release Katt Shea’s follow-up Streets (1990), which was a Roger Corman production

[colinr0380]

I had completely missed Finch's earlier post about the March releases. Nice to see the first two features by Mika Ninagawa enter the "Japanarchy" line with 2006's Sakuran and 2012's Helter Skelter. Sakuran previously received a barebones UK DVD release through ICA Projects back in the late 2000s but this may be the UK debut in any form of Helter Skelter. Looking at imdb for what Ninagawa has done since it was interesting to see that she has done an adaptation of Osamu Dazai's No Longer Human (which would be fascinating to see a female filmmaker tackle, since it is such a male POV story), and an Alicia Keys music video!

[Finch]

88 confirmed in their newsletter that Armour of God and The Pink Panther UHDs are coming later this year. Armour will be from the Original Camera Negative. I believe that there were complaints about the audio on the Kino 4ks of the Pink Panthers so hopefully 88 are aware.

[sabbath]

Armour of God 4K UHD clip.

[Finch]

Phase IV UHD coming in April. The Vinegar Syndrome 4K had an error where the preview version fades to black too early at the end, omitting the sunrise shot and "PHASE-IV" ending title effect but the sound effects are still playing. I don't think they ever addressed that.

Either way, between Pink Panther and this, 88 seem to have gotten hold of a few MGM titles.

[beamish14]

Phase IV UHD coming in April. The Vinegar Syndrome 4K had an error where the preview version fades to black too early at the end, omitting the sunrise shot and "PHASE-IV" ending title effect but the sound effects are still playing. I don't think they ever addressed that.

Either way, between Pink Panther and this, 88 seem to have gotten hold of a few MGM titles.

Phase IV is Paramount. It’s amazing how long it took them to finally fuse it back with the original/“real” ending. The whole movie hinges on that, and it just doesn’t work without it. Paramount actually even made a new print of their “version integrale” restoration

[Finch]

88 said their Phase IV 4K has been encoded by Fidelity. Their April titles include standards of the Armour of God 2 and Crime Story 4Ks, Murder Rock 4K, and Blu-rays of The Amsterdam Kill, God of Gamblers 2, The Deadly Duo, Heroes Two, and Holy Flame of the Martial World.

[beamish14]

Holy Flame of the Martial World.

Nice. You don’t have to buy one of Arrow’s overpriced Shaw sets for it