Anthropophagous the Beast (Aristide Massaccesi as Joe D'Amato, 1980) (Merged)

[silverbird]

Is this available on dvd in the uk ? if so, is it uncut totally (long shot I know, but worth asking).

[masterofreality]

Yes, it's out in the uk at a budget price. It is, however completely butchered, with pretty much all the gore cut from it.

[silverbird]

What label is the butchered version on ?.

[Philbw]

"The Grim Reaper" is on the Hollywood DVD label. Website is here. (http://www.instant-shop.com/hollywood-dvd/category130105.html)

[masterofreality]

Don't even think of getting it mate, the movies not worth watching unless it's totally uncut.

[silverbird]

Will buy something else instead. :)

[CROW]

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE JOE D'AMATO'S SPLATTER CLASSIC ANTHROPOPHAGOUS THE BEAST RELEASED ON AN UNCUT THREE DISC SPECIAL EDITION SET.

WITH TRAILERS, DOCUMENTARIES, COMMENTARIES, THE SEQUAL ABSURD AS AN EXTRA DISC WITH THE SAME FEATURES, ANOTHER COMMENTARY FROM MARK KERMODE ON EACH DISC, THE ORIGINAL CD SOUNDTRACK AS AN EXTRA DISC.

I'D LOVE TO SEE THIS OUT, COME ANCHOR, PLEASE RELEASE IT, UNCUT.

[claire]

It would be great to see a nice anamorphic uncut print of this classic, with trailers, commentary, Super 8mm version of the film (with subbies), stills gallery, bios etc.

It would be even better to give the superior ABSURD it's own Special Edition release though!

[jacksmith1983]

What???

ANTHROPOPHAGOUS THE BEAST is a truly awesome Italian horror flick, ABSURD is a good film definetely but ANTHRO is better IMO...

Still it would be fantastic to see both films in good uncut transfers, although I think the idea of a 3 disc set is somewhat hopeful, lol.

Would love to see both out uncut in the UK though.

[Narshty]

Yeah, get 'em out, get 'em both out.

If you do put out ANTHROPOPHAGOUS, you have to license the infamous news item from the Beeb when they claimed the movie was a snuff film!

[MarcMorris]

ANTHROPOPHAGOUS is owned by a major (believe it or not!)

[Narshty]

Wow! :eek:

[claire]

Are you sure about that Marc?

I thought that was a rumour started by Bruce Holecheck etc a while back? Hollywood DVD seem to have released it OK.

[MarcMorris]

I had it confirrmed from thje rights owner.

Hollywood DVD licensed their 'alternate' version from a small US licensor.

[Narshty]

So I assume they're not doing anything with the film right now? Do they also own the rights to ABSURD?

[MarcMorris]

Is owned by an Italian company. I'm surprised nobody has picked this one up - perhaps they are asking for too much.

[Mac Hammer Fan]

The only thing that I know is that the Hollywood DVD called GRIM REAPER is heavily cut. I have the German DVD ABSURD. Even if you don't understand German, it's easy to follow the story. The movie on the DVD is uncut. You get all the blood and gore. There are some real nasty murder sequences. This one will definitely not pass the BBFC.

[Shogunassassin7]

Absurd would have NO problems getting past the BBFC these days. There is absolutely no sexual violence & the gore that there is, is pretty tame really. Fingers crossed somebody can get it released...

[jasonlivesuk]

I have been looking for the Hollywood DVD website for years, cheers.
So what exactly is cut from Grim Reaper. I have the uncut print but it is a terrible picture. I read that only the two infamous scenes (gut munching and foetus munching) were cut. I love the film as it is and if that is all that is cut I may go ahead and buy it (it's only £4.50 on play!).

[jasonlivesuk]

Originally posted by Marc Morris
Is owned by an Italian company. I'm surprised nobody has picked this one up - perhaps they are asking for too much.

Was that a hint Marc?
If not it should be! (Look into it Please)
I also agree that it would piss easily pass uncut these days. I was pretty dissapointed with the gore. I have a DVD (ripped from my old VHS) but the picture (and sound more so) quality is piss poor.

[jacksmith1983]

The suggestion ABSURD would run into problems with the BBFC now is pretty absurd in itself....

:D

[Mac Hammer Fan]

Did you check out the uncut German DVD?

[jacksmith1983]

I have owned the uncut pre-cert (identical to the German DVD in terms of violent content) and watched it god knows how many times. There is nothing more in it than your standard Italian horror movie gore. The effects while very grisly are not very convincing. The BBFC no longer make cuts to horror violence unless it carries with it sexual threat or overtones, which ABSURD clearly does not. The BBFC will not be in the slightest bit bothered about compasses in the eyes, a burnt face and a bandsaw to a putty forehead. Get real!

[agent cooper]

if ever film was crying out for a decent release surely it must be joe d'amatos classic canabel shocker. i bought the german red edition grim reaper(anthropohagous) a couple of years ago. and the quality of the print used was preety poor. the film is english language but some scenes were only in german.while a couple were in german with burnt on italian subs !. i dont think this film would get passed the bbfc uncut but it would be nice if ab usa could release a quality uncut print... and also the d'amatos/eastmen sequel absurd....here's hopeing.

[MarcMorris]

As I have mentioned here previously, the film is owned by a major studio.

[savm]

The picture quality cant be much worst than the Hollywood DVD release of Grim Reaper!

OK I knew it was cut but this version has been slashed completely! Add to that the fact it`s so dark that for at least half the running time I could barely make out what was going on and in the end I gave up cos I`d lost interest!

Only thing I can say to redeem this purchase is that at least it only cost me £1.50 from Ebay :p

[bluedemon13]

that grim reaper is one of the worst dvd prints ive ever seen- the pre-cert looks better than it

[savm]

I got hold of this a while back from Ebay on the Hollywood DVD label. It`s not so much cut as hacked to pieces and the picture is so dark most of the time I actually gave up halfway through as I could hardly see a thing on screen!

Take my advice and totally avoid this version the only good thing I can say about it is that it only cost me £1.50!!!!

[agent cooper]

the astro version is the only uncut version...i always thought the picture looked dull and colourless but apparntly d'amato filmed that way using washed out film stock.

[jasonlivesuk]

Actually isn't the UK pre-cert Uncut!
And if you look on the astro DVD at the extra print thing, the super 8 one - The picture is a lot better (apart from print damage wise) so you can't really say D'Amato filmed it like it is on the main print, that is horribly dark and washed out.
I really would like to see a special edition of this one day. But apparently a UK major owns it so Anchor Bay can't get hold of it (or at least that's what I remember Marc saying). I would really like it along with Absurd as well. That would be great.

[wanyon]

I am fairly sure that ANTHROPOPHAGOUS had a recent release in Italy in a nice quality edition...could be wrong though...either way i doubt it is subtitled like some of the great dvds coming out of Italy recently like LA CASA DELLE FINESTRE CHE RIDONO and ZEDER...

[mrb]

but the Hollywood dvd is the American print without the Greek music, and it's called the GRIM REAPER, and I bought it.
Why did Joe Bob Briggs get so into this film? He would have been watching the cut R print?

[BIG ZAPPER]

I could not believe my eyes on Sunday morning, on the front of the Star it said Free DVD. On closer inspection it was the Grim Reaper starring Tisa Farrow.
I still remember papers like the Star calling Anthro a genuine snuff film back in the day. And Twenty years on they are giving it away free with the paper.

I really never thought I would see the day.

What's next Island of Death free with the Mail?

:eek: :eek: :eek:

[Mark Y]

Ah but it's the cleaned up, family friendly R rated version ;) I do appreciate the irony though.

[Vaughan]

It IS a bizarre situation though. To have an R rated film on a newstand for kids to buy. What's up with that?

But then, yeah, it's cleaned up no doubt.

[Mark Y]

You had to redeem a token at Asda to get it, so that would stop the kids getting hold of it... at least until the parents got it home :D

[mbellishment]

Originally posted by Black
It IS a bizarre situation though. To have an R rated film on a newstand for kids to buy. What's up with that?

But then, yeah, it's cleaned up no doubt.
I guess this will be the same cut that Hollywood DVD released a while back... cleaned up it may be (in that the abortion and intestine scenes are missing), but it still has its fair share of gore included... such as decapitated heads in buckets and the beach slaughter at the start... not the sort of stuff I'd want my kids picking up from the newsagent...

[Peter Neal]

As for "Antropophagus" and "Absurd", I already know and own the German Astro DVDs, which unfortunately don`t do these classics fully justice, especially "Absurd", which is only worthwhile owning if you speak German, which is the only language track on the disc. The picture quality on both could REALLY use an upgrade. Anyway, both of these titles are long out of print and got banned in Germany, just like their old VHS counterparts from the good old Nasty days, which in Germany are still not really a thing of the past. :(
I doubt it that a Scandinavian release is on the way, even though censorship laws are pretty liberal in most northern countries by now. Finland skipped its radical censorship meassures with the introduction of DVD in the mainstream in 2001. But anyway, it`s such a small population, so nobody will probably pick them up here.
What was the story about MGM holding the rights to these D`Amato classics? Any development from that direction?

As for Trauma, I know about the AB US release, might even pick that one up, but just out of interest: Does the Tartan DVD still contain the BBFC cuts done to the video-version? And is it still avaiable? Are they even thinking of doing their own "Director`s Cut" of it?

[MrVess]

The official, full and uncut release of "Anthropophagous" is the Italian disc released by I Do Not Remember Whom - it comes in Italian only. No English audio, no English subtitles. The quality is the best of all releases so far, though, and the film is complete.

As far as the uncut English version of "Anthropophagous" goes, the only one you'll find at the moment will be the pirate laserdisc-to-DVDR transfer, with Japanese subtitles, sold and downloadable in many places... :)

All other releases - such as Hollywood DVD - (choose one or more) are badly cut, are in horrible quality, don't have Giombini's score, miss the opening titles, and/or are in pan & scan full screen. As far as quality goes - you saw the pseudoofficial pirate release, so you know what to expect (though that German bootleg is hideously ugly - even the butchered versions, such as Hollywood's, look better)

Or you can get a laserdisc player and look for the original Japanese disc. :)

(I did hear of an official Japanese DVD released a while ago, taken from the same source as the laserdisc - which would mean very good quality, presumably - but reportedly only with the Italian audio and Japanese subtitles burned in the video)

[arthurdent]

Ive never heard of an Italian DVD of 'Anthro...' ?

You can get the Japanese one here - legitimately! (as long as u live in Japan, naturally)

http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=OPSD-S150

[italian audio only/removable jap subs]

As for 'Absurd' = just the Astro dvd, although i am unsure of it's legitimacy?

Can u provide any links/more info for the Italian disc of Anthro?

[Companero]

The Tartan DVD of Trauma was granted an uncut 18 certificate, though the new disc coming from Anchor Bay is supposed to a longer version of the film.

Tartan no longer own the UK rights, I believe Optimum Releasing now have the film though I have no idea when they plan to release it...

[Vaughan]

The Tartan Trauma gets the job done, but with a new version announced, I reckon it's time to wait on that one. I have the Tartan, but really, I don't care for the film too much.

[Peter Neal]

So the German "Antropophagus" discs are not only in bad picture quality (as I`ve noticed :D ), but also bootlegs? Splendid :eek:
Guess I have to search for that japanese laserdisc then or learn Italian :p
The "Grim Reaper" Cut would only interest me as a bonus feature.
As for Trauma, I quite liked it, Argento`s last good film (for me) before he returned with gusto with "Sleepless". :D
I´d really like to see his full version of Trauma. I remember reading a Fangoria article about the making and Savini mentioned there something about the elevator-scene, which was later clearly missing... :) [Brad Dourif`s head was supposedly not only severed, but also got impaled at the end.]

[ForestFilmsUK]

[i spelt it wrong, I know!]

Saw a 2 disc set, widescreen enhanced at Aburd-Online. Limited edition. Has anybody seen this release? Is it worth buying?

[khadafi]

Well this release comes close to being perfect but i still noticed that there are still some flaws in this release, for instance there is an continuety error in the opening sequence.

It's a totally obvious **** up, the movie starts with the couple on the beach getting killed by good o'l george, but then AFTER that the opening credits start to roll and we see the couple happily walking through the village down to the beach although they have been killed only seconds before, a stupid mistake which shouldn't have happened at all since all other worldwide DVD release show this opening sequence in the right order.

On another note, the english soundtrack is actually the american soundtrack ! so the english soundtrack does NOT contain the original italian music score but instead the american library music. I myself was pretty dissapointed about this, but since my german is perfect i'll just watch it with the german soundtrack since that one uses the original italian music score.

I also wondered why they didn't include subtitles ? I mean without subs the italian track is virtually useless if you ask me.

On a positive note the print does look really great (crisp and clear) for an obscure 16MM movie, and looks indeed better then the japanese and it's anamorphic ! It's also a nice bonus to get the butchered american cut (missing about 10 min) on disc 2, now you can compare both version.

All in all pretty nice release but not without flaws alas ! This is my 4th DVD of 'Antropophagus" and it seems this won't be my last one either till a perfect edition comes along.

But seing that no other company will release anytime soon and that this release is limited to 2000 copies, i'd say get it before it's gone !

Here's comparison of the different DVD version, the Relax DVD release is the new 2 disc. You can clearly see that it look's better then previous DVD (last pic of all comparison shots is the relax DVD) releases and is on par with the japanese DVD (which only has italian audo with japanese subs)

Screenshot comparison (http://www.dtm.at/~corey/antro/antro.htm)

[Vaughan]

Hmmmmmmm 35 euro... not cheap at all. Gonna think about this one for a bit.

[zanner]

a really boring film imo... ;) ...zanner.

[42ndStreetFreak]

a really boring film imo... ;) ...zanner.

Damn right. 1 third Greek Tourist board video, 1 third 'lets have people walk around a lot and do nothing' exercise, 1 third average at best trash fest.

With the best death actually being the little mentioned face shedding and the overly hyped fetus scene actually being a huge, almost off-screen, non-event.

"Absurd" was far more fun.

[Vaughan]

Like many of the nasties, this one might well fall flat... however, it doesn't dampen my enthusiasm to own it. I just feel a bit incomplete not having it. On the other hand, 34 euro is quite pricey for a single title. Maybe I'm being picky. I'm looking for an excuse not to buy at that price, and the juggled scene at the beginning might well be it. I am still resisting getting it... just.

[Grant]

Must admit I thought it was crap compared to the madness of 'Absurd'...George Eastman acquits himself well as the maniac though as always,,,

Grant :)

[CJ34]

"Absurd" was far more fun.

I totally agree - Absurd is top class trash entertainment with an appropriately 'absurd' explanation for all that happens.

That's not to say I don't like Anthropophagous, because I do. I find Eastman incredibly creepy and the first time we see him when the lightning flashes really unnerves me. Not sure why it has this affect on me, but for some reason it does. Though I can certainly understand why a lot of people are not really taken with this film.

I did hear rumblings that Bill Lustig was looking into getting this title for Blue Underground, but I've not heard anything further about this.

[Peter Neal]

For all its obvious flaws (silly music, slow moving action), "Antropophagus" still has a couple of striking scenes and Eastman is really the winning ticket as far as creepy crazed creatures go. :)

But that`s a pale substitute in comparison to the nervewrecking experience that is "Absurd". A movie that despite its sloppy direction belongs to the scariest gorefests you`ll come to see. Thanks again go to the threatening presence of Eastman and the movie`s relentlessly brutal tone. Absurd somehow manages to touch on some primal fears fairly effectively. I`d call it a lucky accident, because nothing in D`Amato`s filmography is on a scary pair with it. THIS is the film that really FEELS the way we imagined a Video Nasty to be like before we ever saw one. :)

Blue Underground would be PERFECT for presenting definite editions of these two personal faves - but I guess I will have to hold on to my sub-standard German versions for quite some time before that ever happens :rolleyes:

[zanner]

i agree, absurd, is far better... ;) ...zanner.

[khadafi]

Guess i'm one of the few people who thought that "Absurd" was boring ?!?

I mean yeah it had George and lots of gore, but other then that i found it an tiresome and loveless product, there was no real tension just lot's of useless chit chat and gore, it played like a sub standard slasher and a boring one at that.

I'd much rather watch "antropophagus" then "absurd" cause i think "antropophagus" has a much better atmosphere to it, but i do agree that it starts out pretty slow. Just like CJ34 i get goosebumps everytime when i see the scene were Eastman get exposed by the lighting in the corner of the room.

But then again i guess "Antropophagus" is once of these films that's get so overhyped that most people end up dissapointed in the end, everybody expect's a 90 min gore fest and has their focus on the infamous abortion scene, but the movie also relies on tension and atmosphere.

[Ade]

But then again i guess "Antropophagus" is once of these films that's get so overhyped .

I haven't seen for ages but I remember liking it's hazy continental ambience (sometimes one person's "boring" can be another's "hypnotic"). It may not be the gorefest that its reputation suggests but the two key scenes are unforgetable in concept at least - foetus-scoffing and auto-cannibalism. Where else would you see that?

On balance though, I think this film would have a lesser cult status if it wasn't for that wonderful title - Anthrophagus The Beast - it's classic. Oh yeah, the video nasty tag probably helps too.

[Grant]

I'm pretty sure Marc said a few times that these are now owned by a major??? MGM perhaps??

Grant :)

[Vaughan]

-- Oh yeah, the video nasty tag probably helps too.--

I'll be the first to admit, for me, that this is the ONLY reason I care :D

[ForestFilmsUK]

Sazuma have got Anthro listed as having a nice Italian disc due soon. Her'es another one....hopefully this'll get it all right.

[the dude]

Media Blasters are gonna be releasing an uncut version of this. Check out the last paragraph of this news item about their release of Just Before Dawn on DVD

Anthro (http://www.fangoria.com/news_article.php?id=4088)

[Cannibal]

I've just ordered Anthropophagous from [bootleg company name removed]. As anyone had any probs getting this through customs??? Im quite weary, having had Cannibal Holocaust seized twice by Customs.

[zanner]

welcome cannibal... :) ...i think your post will be deleted, as revok (i think) are a bootleg company... :rolleyes: ...zanner.

[MarcMorris]

I've just ordered Anthropophagous from [bootleg company name removed].

Do yourself a big favour and cancel the order asap. This title is coming later in the year from Media Blasters in a stunning new version which will render all other DVDs worthless.

[zanner]

lol, just a shame the film is crap... :eek: ...zanner.

[mrarmageddon]

I've just ordered Anthropophagous from [bootleg company name removed]. As anyone had any probs getting this through customs??? Im quite weary, having had Cannibal Holocaust seized twice by Customs.

I got my Dutch 2 disc EC Entertainment Ultrabit Disc Yesterday....bit short on extras but the transfer is top notch and i got no.84 of 4000 so i was pretty pleased. I'd love to get dvds of Anthro and Absurd in English as I love Video Nasties....I recently bought dvd-r's of Dont go in the woods alone, Terror Eyes and just before dawn. The Transfers of the 1st two were the best ive seen from the old pre certs while just before dawn was just average.

I've got loads more nasties to collect but i'm more interested in the Slashers like the ones i mentioned and also The Burning than crap like those nazi flicks.

[zanner]

the burning, can be had uncut already... :) ...zanner.

[Cannibal]

Like many of the nasties, this one might well fall flat... however, it doesn't dampen my enthusiasm to own it. I just feel a bit incomplete not having it.

I agree, I cant wait to have a copy of Anthropophagous in my collection, even though it'll probably not deliver. I ordered it from Revok.com and Im hoping it gets through customs ok.

I got SS Experiment last week and it was a major let down - but I was still pleased to have it my collection. I think out of all the ones I have so far, this has been the biggest disappoinment.

[tombsy]

Browsing through the updates on the fango site i was amazed to see non other than ANTHROPOPHAGOUS BEAST listed for an oct 25th release special edition by Shriek Show, let's hope this is the difinitve version of this much sought after D'amato classic? as i for one will put this at the top of my wants list as will many of you i guess..

[Rich]

This is one of those infamous nasties that I've never actually got round to seeing,but reading others comments on the forums about the movie makes me believe that this is a boring snoozefest with a couple of half decent gore fx.Doesn't really make me want to rush out & buy it.I've also heard there is an Italian R2 DVD coming out (or maybe it's already out).I might pick that up if it's cheap enough.I've heard the sequel "Absurd" is much better. :)

[tombsy]

I think it can be boring to some people, however i have always had a liking to this film, when first viewing an uncut vhs of it years ago i found it kind of gritty and while i agree that the acting wasn't brill it did stand out better than a lot of the much hyped nasties that in retrospect didn't live up to their hype. And now after many years of waiting it's good to hear that it is finally getting a more serious dvd rebirth, i know that there is an italian release out there and i hear that it is a nice presentation but as long as i can obtain a complete version, and if the Shriek Show release offers that i will opt for it. Absurd is a good film but doesn't seem to have the same gritty style Anthro had, however i still can't wait for a release of this one either and maybe Shriek Show may surprise us here too..

[mbellishment]

I love the atmosphere that this movie generates. It is kinda slow-moving, but a fav for me. Much better than Absurd IMO.

[Mojo]

It's been years since I watched either of these, but I always thought Absurd was a much better film. I'd much rather have a release of this.

[zanner]

yeah, give me an ABSURD release too... :) ...zanner.

[Peter Neal]

Antropophagus is one of the more interesting Nasties. Is it slow moving in parts, particulary for Today's audiences? Yes...but not nearly as slow as some might think. The acting is neither better nor worse than in 70 % of similar Italian zombie/cannibal fare. Its build up pays off to a large degree in the very gruesome last 15 minutes and George Eastman is simply awesome, a very frightening presence, even more so in "Absurd", but also here.
Andreas (Violent S***) Schnaas made a remake - "Antropophagus 2000" :D - which I haven't seen so far.
For fans of Italian gore fare: a must. For others: depends on how complete you want your Nasty collection to get. :)

[JAMIOUSE]

I watched Anthro about a year ago, it's really not that good. Like many D'Amato films it's reputation preceds it, a bit like Emanuelle In America and Porno Holocaust. The gore is awful and the ploting terrible. But, I remember reading somewhere that the US rights were going for $30,000! I hope they release Absurd at some point though, it's much better. Perhaps they'll then release some more Italian 'gems'!

[Vaughan]

Most of the time costs have no relation to quality. Anthro has a reputation that preceeds it, and hence the hefty price tag. I think we know it's a bit of a let down - but hey, gotta gotta have it :D

[MarcMorris]

Here's a sneak preview of the upcoming Media Blasters cover (click for more info):

http://www.pre-cert.co.uk/forumpix/AnthropophagusMB.jpg (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000AC7P5Q/mondoerotico)

[zanner]

i thought it was spelt 'anthropophagous'... :confused: ...zanner.

[Rich]

There are so many different spellings of this movie's title it confuses me as to which is the right one:

The Anthropophagous Beast
Anthropophagous The Beast
Antropophagous
Anthropophagus
The Grim Reaper

AAARRRGGGH! :confused:

[MarcMorris]

i thought it was spelt 'anthropophagous'..

The original Italian spelling is Antropophagus, the English translation being Anthropophagous or Anthropophagus, as in Anthropophagy (http://www.yoniversum.nl/dakini/anthropophagy.html) (i.e. Cannibalism).

More on this here (http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A530687)

p.s: a few more also known as titles:

The Savage Island
Gomia
Terror en el mar egeo
L'anthropophage
Antropofago

[Calum]

This film is awful. I think anyone buying this who has not seen it will end up very disappointed. I'm sure this could sail through the BBFC now too.

[zanner]

The original Italian spelling is Antropophagus, the English translation being Anthropophagous or Anthropophagus, as in Anthropophagy (http://www.yoniversum.nl/dakini/anthropophagy.html) (i.e. Cannibalism).

thanks for the links marc...very interesting indeed...i never knew these words meant so much... :confused:

i suppose 'FEROX' is some sort of thesis ??
zanner.

[MarcMorris]

No, it's a botanical epiphet meaning wild, bold, courageous, fierce, savage

That's today's English lesson over - I'm off now for a few beers and the Wolf Creek screening at Frightfest.

[zanner]

No, it's a botanical epiphet meaning wild, bold, courageous, fierce, savage
ah, thanks marc...it's just in the film (cannibal ferox) the girl says something like 'i'll complete my ferox'... :) ...zanner.

[madhair60]

Uh, doesn't it have a scene wherein a fetus is torn from a pregnant woman and consumed?

[zanner]

yeah stu, but its a slow burner... :( ...zanner.

[MrVess]

It's a "film" made by a porn director, with a porn "actor" in the title role. What quality could one expect from such a team?

It is, however, marginally better than its plotless and pointless nonsequel, the snoozer "Rosso Sangue". And compared to the imbecilic German pirate "remake" that it actually spawned a while ago, it's almost watchable.

[Vaughan]

Oh but.... it's essential Nasty viewing :)

[mrarmageddon]

Think everyones being a bit harsh on this one....i thought it was great :D

well by nasty standards anyway....very slow paced but builds up well and has an intimidating monster compared to todays cr*p like....Creep lol ;)

[Peter Neal]

Oh but.... it's essential Nasty viewing :)

Yes, very much so indeed! :) Where have the really scary guys like George Eastman gone...? :(

[Someone Weird]

Been waiting to add this to my dvd collection for ages! The final third is brilliant stuff, and the scenes in the cannibal man's lair are quite atmospheric and creepy. The film builds up to it all really well. I think its an excellent film.

[the13thman]

With Shriek Show's recent track record there's no way in hell I'm getting this before reviews are in.

[Peter Neal]

Just in case: The Italian R 2 is a good investment and I can't see the R 1 improving the film and extra features in any significant way. :D

[ForestFilmsUK]

Why is it that Media Blasters seem to keep putting different titles on thier boxes, to the start of the film? Now it's no longer "...The Beast", it's "...The Grim Reaper" instead. All bout one of my Media Blasters movies have different titles on the packaging.

I dunno about the quality of Shriek SHow discs. Generally they are a little poorer than the other cult horror labels, but not really that bad. All the one's I've seen are perfectly watchable. The one's I've had recently, anyway. My beef at the moment is with the 'amateurish' quality of the extras on the ZOMBI 2 set. Why they feel the need to keep putting the names of the interviewees up on screen every couple of minutes is beyond me. Do they think we're all senile?

[MarcMorris]

Becuase THE GRIM REAPER is what it's better known as in the US.

[ForestFilmsUK]

yeah, but it's also known to be heavliy cut in that version. Most fans are familiar with it's 'Anthro..." title, you'd they might want to use it in it's entirity to make a little clearer that this is a different, complete version?

[the13thman]

This annoys me too. Americans confuse easily so films can't be released there under their original titles. Its just too much for them to handle.

Even the mighty Blue Underground released The Silent Flute with the stupid and meaningless Circle of Iron title plastered all over the case. When Blue Underground use a title David Carradine can barely conceal his disgust with, then you know that there's no flexibility on this issue.

If it was up to me these releases would all have reversible covers, thats a simple solution that keeps both film fans and uninformed idiots happy. Shriek Show did it for Buio Omega after all, but that seems to have been a one-off.

[Dusk]

If it's from Media Blasters I'm guessing it'll have five minutes missing but will be a teriffic print. Ah, the double edged swords those lads present to us.

[MarcMorris]

No, it is uncut.

[tombsy]

Finally, i must admit i was a bit worried that this would be missing some scenes but as this is the UNCUT version i have already placed an order and am looking forward to revisiting this old gore classic, i know it's taken a few negative hits but i agree that it may not be the best acted film, however this does have some very atmospheric scenes and i'd much rather be watching something like this than all the new cgi stuff that seems to be arriving in films these days, give me good old fashioned gore anyday..

[tombsy]

Just seen on the fango site that ANTHRO BEAST has been bumped back to 13th Dec, hope this doesn't follow like some titles and end up with a VERY DELAYED release schedule

[tombsy]

Just had word that my ANTHROPOPHAGEOUS BEAST has now shipped, got this from DVD pacific and can't wait for it to arrive, this has been at the top of my wants list for ages

[CJ34]

Mine shipped yesterday.

Of all the films that Shriek Show have released to date, this is the one I most want for them to have got right. My fingers remain firmly crossed.

[tall dude]

Oh well, hopefully mine is on its way too then[hopefully with one dark night which has also taken forever] We live in hope.

[embmmusic]

Mine too. Quick question - what would Customs' stance be on importing this film, seeing as it contains material which has previously been cut by the BBFC? If they find it, is it in danger of being impounded? Unlike America, foetus-eating isn't all that commonplace over here.

[Marty Moose]

Although it's a minefield with what customs do/don't allow, It possibly isnt a problem if it doesn't contain illegal material (ie Cannibal Holocaust does).
Either way, as long as its not ordered from Exploited or is over 18quid then the possibility of them opening the package 'on the off chance' is next to none.

[Angel]

Mine too. Quick question - what would Customs' stance be on importing this film, seeing as it contains material which has previously been cut by the BBFC? If they find it, is it in danger of being impounded? Unlike America, foetus-eating isn't all that commonplace over here.

The film has never been cut by the BBFC. And there's nothing in the uncut version that they would have a problem with today.

[claire]

I wasn't impressed with the audio on the new Shriek Show release. Was anyone else similarly let down?

What's the audio like on the Beat Records release? Is the English audio somewhat muffled as it is on the SS release?

[christats]

Mixed reaction to this release then.? Mine shipped today as I paired it up with Microwave Massacre and thats just come out.
So a double bill of trash awaits.Got to be alot better than the Hollywood DVD of the Grim Reaper.?

[CJ34]

--Mine shipped today as I paired it up with Microwave Massacre and thats just come out.--

Oh you sod. Now I'll have to go and grab a copy of this. When I was selling off some tapes a few years back, whenever I'd advertise, this strange guy would always ring me and ask me if I had this. It wasn't until recently that I realised it was a genuine movie - I always thought this guy was...well...not right in the head, shall we say.

[Andreas]

I don´t know if this has already been mentionend, but there´s a steelbook-edition in Austria.

[the13thman]

I wasn't impressed with the audio on the new Shriek Show release. Was anyone else similarly let down?

Yes, it is awful - I couldn't follow the English soundtrack in places so ended up watching the film in Italian with subs.

[CJ34]

Regarding the audio - I found it perfectly acceptable and didn't have any trouble hearing the dialogue. I admit the audio is a bit ropey, but then it always has been on this title. Even my old pre-cert (long gone) sounded the same, hollow echoing and the like.

[embmmusic]

I prefer to watch the film with the original language anyway. Why is the opening dialogue of the couple on the beach in Italian on both soundtracks, though? And why no English subs for it?

[christats]

--Mine shipped today as I paired it up with Microwave Massacre and thats just come out.--

Oh you sod. Now I'll have to go and grab a copy of this. When I was selling off some tapes a few years back, whenever I'd advertise, this strange guy would always ring me and ask me if I had this. It wasn't until recently that I realised it was a genuine movie - I always thought this guy was...well...not right in the head, shall we say.
Never seen it,but I will in a few days.I wasn't aware of it till I read a review in Is it Uncut.I remember now the review said the bloke was in the "hey Frankie" music video.
I have heard its turd,but thats the point.As for Anthropopagous,I would rather watch a film in its intended language anyway.

[CJ34]

I prefer to watch the film with the original language anyway. Why is the opening dialogue of the couple on the beach in Italian on both soundtracks, though? And why no English subs for it?
They're German tourists and speaking German, hence no subs. I must confess, when I first grabbed a pre-cert of this movie I thought I'd ended up with a vid with German audio - but quickly realised this is the way it's meant to be, to my enormous relief.

[Rich]

I've never seen Anthropophagous the Beast,even in the pre-cert days my local video shop never had any copies in.I was alway's put off watching it as well,by people saying how boring it was.I reckon I'm going to have to grab a copy of either the Shriek Show or Beat Records release,and see for myself.

[tall dude]

The shriek show packaging is, frankly, crap! ordered this and one dark night and when delivered one disc of each film was very badly scratched. their packaging is similiar to the budget releases we get here. Definetly not up to our gruelling postal schedule!

[irons]

My copy arrived and the discs were in the holders. The holders are like some budget releases when you come to mention it. Nice to have a slip case with it too, wasn't expecting that.
The picture quality is a big improvement on any release I've seen (that was VHS mind you). And thou the sound isn't great I wasn't expecting much more to be honest, again better than I've ever heard it.
The extras on the second disc should be worth a look too.

[christats]

Just been watching the Shriek Show edition.
As I was only familiar with the UK Hollywood DVD,:eek: its alot better.
I have the UK Grim Reaper on a flipper disc with the Mario Bava,Daria Nicoladi film.(Can't bl**dy remember the title without looking.Shock or something.))
I ended up watching it with the English track as I thought the subs were not working at first.Had to press to the 2nd set of subs.Which are too slow for the English soundtrack.
(That not being the point,I suppose.)
The sound is bad(have to turn the volume right up),the picture is not bad and the film drags a bit.
Not bad for £8 or so considering what used to be charged for European disks of it.

[lord summerisle]

I remember reading in a magazine article ages back about the list of banned video nasties. Anthropophogus the Beast was one of them, apparently unlikely to ever get a release it said. Is this the same film as Anthropophogus the Grim Reaper? Is there just one Anthropophogus or are there a few films by this name?

[zanner]

anthropophagous the beast & the grim reaper are indeed the same film, i think it's already available uncut on region 1...sadly, i think it's pants, not a patch on ABSURD (imo)...:cool: ...zanner.

[lord summerisle]

It's on region 1 and 2 but according to a few reviews on imdb both versions are cut to hell.

[zanner]

according to dvdcompare, the region 1 (media blasters/shriek show dvd) is fully uncut...

http://dvdcompare.net/comparisons/film.php?fid=2248

zanner.

[lord summerisle]

Never even heard of Absurd. Thought i was pretty up on films till i came on here.

[zanner]

Never even heard of Absurd. Thought i was pretty up on films till i came on here.
yeah 'absurd' is by the same director 'joe da'mato', it's supposed to be a follow up to ANTHRO, i find 'anthro' very slow and boring, on the other hand 'absurd' is far better paced & better for it...:cool: ...zanner.

[Rich]

Unbelievably I've never seen Anthropophagous the Beast (I'll have to pick up the uncut R1 or R2 at some point),however I have heard that it's creepy atmosphere more than makes up for it's slow pace.I'm really looking forward to checking it out as the stills I've seen and the reviews I've read make it sound quite interesting.I never even knew the film existed until I read a piece on it in an early copy of The Dark Side,the video shop I used to rent my pre-cert nasties from never had any copies of the movie in.When I read about the notorious foetus eating scene,it sounded to me like one of the sickest scenes ever commited to film (I read in TDS that Joe D'Amato actually used a skinned rabbit to create this effect).George Eastman's ghoulish looking appearence on the front cover of the VFP pre-cert video with that crusty skin,thinning hair,and rotten teeth also looked really creepy. :)

[muntersaur]

After being disappointed by the relatively anonymous Beyond The Darkness, it was with some trepidation that I put in Anthropophagous to watch a couple of days ago. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how entertaining I found it, even thinking that some of the scenes were quite well directed! It has one of the weirdest attempted jump-scares that I have ever seen in my life that left me chuckling at its absurdity for a couple of minutes, some generally unsettling atmosphere and occasionally inspired direction, and the foetus scene now ranks somewhere in the top ten of my favourite horror setpieces. I am really looking forward to hopefully seeing Absurd at some point.

[drterror666]

I watched the one with the guy having his head sliced open courtesy of a bandsaw. I take it that was Absurd?

[claire]

Yes, that's ABSURD. A decent film, better than ANTHRO.

BEYOND THE DARKNESS is better than both though - get the R1 disc, beautiful uncut anamorphic print, and decent extras.

[drterror666]

I saw Absurd donkey's ago when I used to be part of the, cough, tape trading circuit. I remember the woman at the end holding George Eastman's head after going axe crazy! Yowzer! :eek:

[jacksmith1983]

Both films are pretty good and see a director who is widely regarded as a no talent opportunistic hack surpass himself and deliver moments of genuine suspense, fright and unique atmosphere. Both are marred to an extent by some inconsistent pacing but are well worth checking out all the same.

The Media Blasters R1 disc of Anthro is indeed fully uncut. Absurd regrettably is yet to surface in a decent English language DVD which is a crying shame.

[christats]

I wouldn't say Anthro is my favourite film as it does drag a bit.The Shriek Show disk is a good buy.
I have never seen Absurd.I get a feeling it is more of a hectic slapstick gore film.So I am up for it,if it does surface.

[zanner]

I wouldn't say Anthro is my favourite film as it does drag a bit.The Shriek Show disk is a good buy.
I have never seen Absurd.I get a feeling it is more of a hectic slapstick gore film.So I am up for it,if it does surface.
yeah mate, get absurd if you can...:cool: ...zanner.

[O_Lucky_Dan]

Absurd is just a mad-ass, straight up, A to B splatterfest with a fun, stupid-yet-genius plot and great (albeit repetitive) music. I always found Anthropophagous too muddy and awkward to enjoy - it's deffo the lesser of the two, IMHO. :)

[zanner]

we have similar tastes dan...:cool: ...zanner.

[john]

Just pick up the bargain basement disc at your local poundsaver, LS! You can live without the skinned rabbit munching and entrail chomping believe me! :rolleyes:

[zanner]

baz, i take it that's the GRIM REAPER version...:confused: ...zanner.

[lord summerisle]

Just pick up the bargain basement disc at your local poundsaver, LS! You can live without the skinned rabbit munching and entrail chomping believe me! :rolleyes:

I'm not really that much of a gore addict anyway Barry, i just prefer to have an uncut version so that i can make my mind up. Despise having some twonk in a suit up at the bbfc decide what i can see and what i can't.

[LoungeLizard]

I rescued The Grim Reaper recently from a charity shop (for a princely £1) :D on one of Hollywood DVD's '4-on-ones' DVD compilations. The others being House On Sorority Row (uncut), Shock (aka Beyond The Door II - uncut but the print looked like George Foreman had danced the fandango on it) and Skeletons In The Closet (which is about as close to a horror film as Tony Blair is to genuine). :p

From what I can make out The Grim Reaper (under that title) wasn't actually cut by the BBFC. The full uncut Anthropophagus: The Beast was released in a heavily edited US 'R' rated version as The Grim Reaper, and this is the version available here. I haven't watched the uncut print for years now but this version is extremely dark and slightly silly - and the 2 'nasty bits' (the foetus chomp and the giblet munching) are missing, though the opening axe in the skull on the beach remains. The film ends very abruptly indeed (a quick pickaxe in the tumtum and old Anthro bites the dust).

The BBFC would probably pass the entrail-eating at the end, though it's unlikely that the foetus scene would get through. Who knows though. Maybe they could stomach it now if they had the guts (sorry - it had to be said)...... :D

[Dollarhyde]

Actually I watched beyond the Darkness a few days ago, it was uncut but I found it to be a poor film with no shock value whatsoever. Its reputation I think is undeserving. the lead "actor" was as wooden as a plank.

With regards to Anthro, I found the last 20 mins to be pretty decent along with the opening scene on the beach, but the rest in between really drags on. It was the uncut version and had the eating of the fetus left in. It happens in a cave when the women and her husband are trying to hide from george eastman

Has anybody seen Porno Holocaust by DAmato and is it any good? I suspect not.

[Someone Weird]

Re: Has anybody seen Porno Holocaust by DAmato and is it any good? I suspect not.

An incredible Nico Fidenco soundtrack, beautiful locations, Annj Goren being repeatedly boned by a warty balled Mark Shannon on beaches and water splashed logs, cheesy head bashing gore effects, a big black zombie with a funny nose that kills women with its radioactive cock, etc, etc. Lots of people can't stand this film but I think its great.

[tall dude]

Have shriek show released this as well? Got their release of erotic nights of the living dead(the full version) and it was ok, but really slow moving,it could have done with some more porn to spice up the slower bits, if you see what i mean.
If porno holocaust is as good as(hopefully better) enotld, i may invest!:)

[Someone Weird]

Yes, SS released 'Porno Holocaust' on their Exploitation Digital label. I quite like 'Erotic Nights of the Living Dead', but do prefer 'Porno Holocaust'. It also benefits from being a subtitled and not a dubbed print.

http://www.elitisti.net/archive/reviews/000000/010013-d.jpg

The horror!

[the dude]

On the UK Hollywood DVD of The Grim Reaper, the tourists on the beach have no dialogue. The woman strips to her bikini and swims to the boat and gets killed and then her boyfriend is killed sunbathing on the beach. They don't say a word.

The first bit of dialogue is on the air tram type thing with the main characters.

[LoungeLizard]

As I was only familiar with the UK Hollywood DVD,:eek: its alot better.
I have the UK Grim Reaper on a flipper disc with the Mario Bava,Daria Nicoladi film.(Can't bl**dy remember the title without looking.Shock or something.)

Beyond The Door II (aka Schock/Shock) - uncut but with a print that looks as if it's spent some time in a George Foreman mini-grill. :D

The other 2 films in the Hollywood DVD pack are House On Sorority Row (uncut) and Skeletons In The Closet (which isn't quite a horror film unless I sneezed and missed something). :rolleyes:

Some interesting (if graphic) screenshot comparisons between the various versions of Anthropophagus/Grim Reaper can be found here - http://www.dtm.at/~corey/antro/antro.htm

[Peter Neal]

Here's the most exhaustive and informative homepage solely dedicated to Antro that you could possibly ask for, both in English and German! Enjoy :)
(I stumbled over it thanks to the audio commentary for the Austrian DVD :cool: )


http://www.d-udo.de/antropophagus/index.html

[SimonT]

Anyone got this version by Astro DVD?

Anyone know what the quality is like, is it uncut etc?

As far as I can tell its currently the only version of this film available on DVD anywhere, so was wondering whether to buy or whether to wait and see if a decent spec-ed DVD is forthcoming, like Shriek Show's excellent Anthropophagous.

[tall dude]

Its german language only,no subs, i think its slightly cut as well.
I had the chance to pick this up, but the german audio killed it for me.:(

[SimonT]

Its german language only,no subs, i think its slightly cut as well.
I had the chance to pick this up, but the german audio killed it for me.:(

Thanks for that, i'll give this a miss and wait for the eventual english language special edition (some day).

[SicCoyote]

It's cut but all the cut scenes are there as deleted scenes, but it is in german, someone offered me a copy of the english track but they were asking £10 for it so I declined. Never watched it, and after watching the original even less likely.

[Rich]

Recently picked up the Shriek Show edition of Anthropophagus,which I will be watching for the first time EVER when I eventually get the time to watch it.This is the first SS release I've bought and I must admit the packaging seems pretty shoddy to me,the el cheapo DVD case had a huge crack along the top.The discs themselves were fine though and were still in their holders (no scratches,I hate it when that happens!).I know it's a film that's divided opinion among horror buffs,I'll give my verdict when I've seen it. :)

[zanner]

you should watch it as a double bill with Absurd and give thoughts on both...:cool:

[JAMIOUSE]

I think it helps to be delirious and drunk to watch Anthro, Porno and Erotic. They are seriously bad films, Anthro is so bloody boring it's tedious. Erotic Nights is just plain snoozerama, while Porno Holocaust has a certain charm. A grubby dirty charm, but charm all the same. I like the way that despite there been a radioactive zombie on the loose our hero's still manage to get naked and do it! :D

[zanner]

your thoughts on Absurd...

[Vaughan]

I can't believe I haven't bought any of these yet - what have I ben thinking. every single comment I've read about Anthro since it came out is that it's bad, quite bad. Which, of course, makes me want it all the more. :D

Still, if there's someone out these who owns it, and hates it - and you want to sell your copy, PM me.

[JAMIOUSE]

I actually rather like Absurd, it is what the title states. :D I would like to see Absurd get a proper dvd release, but's it owned by MGM isn't it?

[JAMIOUSE]

Black you should know that any cult film or Euro freak dvd collector never sells their dvd's, even if they'll never watch them again. I will be selling some old copies of dvd's on eBay soon, namely the Vip*o titles before I upgraded to Anchor Bay, Blue Underground and Shriek Show releases. :D

[Vaughan]

You know what, Jamiouse - I am happy to see you write that, I really am. I have some real stinkers in my collection, but I won't part with them.

[Grant]

Absurd is the best, Anthro I almost fell to sleep.

[zanner]

yeah grant, we had a hoot watching absurd round your's...:cool:

[ITCHY TOE]

Hi all,

Im new to this forum so firstly hello to everybody!.So down to business,
im trying to clear up an issue thats been puzzling me for some time now,the issue is some scenes seem to be missing from Anthropophagus,i have three releases of the film the US R1 Media Blasters/Shriek show release,the German R2 Astro Filmworks release and lastly the Italian R2 Beat Records release,the trailers on both the Shriek Show and Beat Records dvd's show a more gory scene of where Anthropophagus pulls Margaret Donnelly's(the blind girl) head through the roof,in the trailers you can clearly see all the skin on her cheeks and forehead being stretched and torn on the roof tiles but in the film all we see is lots of blood on her face but no signs of any skin stretching or tearing,whats happened to this scene?.


A recent look at some Anthropophagus lobby cards brings me to my second query,on the lobby cards i was looking at i was puzzled to see a picture of Zora Kerova's throat being slit by a knife weilding George Eastman,again in the film theres no sign of this scene all we see is blood running down from Zora Kerova's throat but no trace of Anthropophagus doing any slicing,again where is this scene?was this scene ever featured in any release of the film or was the picture of Anthropophagus slicing Zora Kerova's throat purely for publicity reasons ie Lobby cards,Posters etc.


Can any of you guys shed any light on this?

[MarcMorris]

Trailers were often assembled with outtakes from the movie. Those brief shots in ANTHROPOPHAGOUS never appeared in any version of the completed movie.

Again, production stills were taken on-set and those scenes were discarded during the final edit - if they were filmed at all.

[dr death]

Why is it that these publicity shots are often more interesting than the finished product? Actually, I have probably answered the question- Publicity! They have to sell the product afterall!

Welcome aboard ITCHY TOE. :)

[ITCHY TOE]

Hi Marc,

Thanks for the info,this means my dvd's are the full versions which is a relief as i was starting to think that there was some longer version which had been eluding me,would have been nice to see some deleted scenes on the release's i mentioned though,i cant complain too much as it wasnt all that long ago when we was having to watch tenth generation copies of this film most of which were just diabolical quality.

[ITCHY TOE]

Hi Dr.Death,

Many thanks for the welcome,seems quite a bit of what goes onto the posters and other publicity material dosent end up in the films,as a utter completist it would have been nice to see the more gory death of the blind girl in the film but hey at least we are lucky enough to have great quality transfers of the films something which only 10 years ago would have seemed nigh on impossible.

[Diabolique]

Welcome Itchy Toe.

[ITCHY TOE]

Hi Diabolique,

Many thanks for the welcome.

[SicCoyote]

Trailers as people have said can be quite different to the film, it's usually best to consider the Trailer to be a sepparate film unto itself.

Like Teen Wolf, where there's a strange effect on his voice in the off-license.

The footage was just used differently in the film than in the trailer.

[WilsonBros]

Very true, Sic!

In the trailer for Carry On Loving, there's an alternate take of Terry Scott's "You must be joking" line. ;)

Kev W

[dr death]

Very true, Sic!

In the trailer for Carry On Loving, there's an alternate take of Terry Scott's "You must be joking" line. ;)

Kev W

I haven't seen this DVD Kev but, i assume the material in the trailer is still PG rated? ;)

[JAMIOUSE]

A classic example is Fulci's Zombi 2, the famous shot of the fat zombi coming out of the water in New York. It's a well known photo, but the scene was never actually shot. It's just a still.

[ITCHY TOE]

Yes Jamiouse thats definately a good example and one which i was just about to put on but you beat me to it,yes when the harbour zombie is shot on the boat and falls overboard all we see is a shot of the city giving a suggestion of what is in store,on the lobby cards ive seen and also on some vhs covers inc the pre-cert Australian cover we see the harbour zombie walking out of the water,im sure this wasnt just for publicity purposes ie lobby cards,posters etc in fact im almost certain this scene was actually filmed but just never used in the film.

[H P Saucecraft]

I couldn't say wether it was filmed, but Jay Slater's book eaten alive alive alludes to it & also gives a script excerpt of a planned gorier version of the eyeball splinter scene, the whole film was apparently going to be gorier than the end result, but as these things go it was changed.

By the way welcome to the forums Itchy Toe :)

[ITCHY TOE]

Hi Cthulhu77,

Many thanks for the welcome,Zombi 2 already has some nice gore scenes so i would have loved to have seen the gorier version if it had been filmed,it would have been nice to have seen a gorier ending to the film as i feel this is the only part that lets the film down a little,still a superb film though.

[cloud]

Where can these lobby cards be gotten from? I'm curious now.

[ITCHY TOE]

Hi Cloud,

Alot of my friends buy them from film fairs,ebay is also another great place for lobby cards & posters and then theres also www.originalcinemaposters.com who carry a large range of vintage posters and lobby cards etc but they are very expensive with their material,personally ebay is the best for obscure lobby cards & posters at reasonable prices,ive seen quite a few anthropophagus,absurd,zombi 2 etc lobby cards up for auction and most of the time they are lucky to make £6-£7 which i think is a real bargain.

hope this is of some help to you.

[cloud]

Thanks Itchy Toe, much appreciated, you got your Anthro lobby cards from eBay then?

[ITCHY TOE]

No probs Cloud,a friend of mine picked up some anthro lobby cards from ebay and he got them for next to nothing,thats what started this thread because when he shown them to me there was a picture of our old friend George Eastman slicing into Zora Kerova's throat with a nice big knife and this got me puzzled why this scene never appeared in any releases of the film,marc said that this scene was just for publicity reasons which is a pitty as i would have loved to have seen it in the film.

[ForestFilmsUK]

which is the best DVD of this movie to get? I've been thinking of getting the Shriek SHow release.

[ITCHY TOE]

Hi ForestFilmsUK,

Ive got quite a few dvd releases of this film and i personally think that the italian import 2 disc dvd on the Beat Records label is superior to the Media Blasters/Shriek Show release,the Shriek Show will be a PAL to NTSC conversion and shreik show are also monkeys for interlacing their discs which causes undesirable effects on the picture,with the film being native PAL i find it better to go for a PAL release,the Beat Records release to me seems to have a much clearer and crisper image particularly in the dark scenes,the sound also seems to be better on the italian release,the Beat Records release may be a little hard to track down but im sure somewhere like xploited cinema will still have it in stock,i usually stay well clear of Shriek Show releases as they are notoriously troublesome,the only instance when i will by ss releases is such in the case of A Lizard in a Womans Skin which is the longet version out there to date.

Hope this has helped you.

[SicCoyote]

Err, there's no such thing as a 'Native PAL' film unless it's shot on DV or Video.

99% of films shot on film are 23.976 fps which is what speed they are on NTSC dvds, the Shreik Show disc will be a Film-NTSC transfer. I haven't checked the interlaced or non-interlaced status of the disc as I pretty much haven't touched it since watching it. (not a fan)

They both seem to have good competing extras but without having both discs I can't compare which is the better quality.

But I found the SS disc to be very good.

[MarcMorris]

No, (99%) of film is shot and projected theatrically at 24fps. It's only when it's telecine'd to NTSC video that it must be done at 23.976 fps (actually its 29.97 fps with 3:2 pulldown).

3:2 pulldown (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telecine#3:2_pulldown)

For PAL it is done at 25fps.

The Anthro master was most likeley an NTSC coversion of the original PAL master which originated in Rome.

[ITCHY TOE]

Yes your right SicCoyote,

I didnt explain it very well and was just trying to put it in layman terms,its always best with ss releases to be cautious im not sure if Anthro is interlaced but they do it with alot of their releases,yes both releases do have good extras and at the end of the day i suppose it all down to personal choice,i edge on the side of the italian import from beat records as it definately seems to have a clearer picture and clearer audio.

I was told to go for releases from the country of origin-ie the singing detective is a british production so i was told to go for the R2 release as it will be of a better quality than the R1 release,is this true?as ive been doing this for quite a few years now.

[SimonT]

There's a comparison between the 2 prints at horrordvds.com here...
http://www.horrordvds.com/modules.php?name=Reviews&file=viewarticle&id=356

The US disc is brighter and clearer, wheras the European disc is much darker and is difficult to make out whats happening during the night scenes.

[SicCoyote]

No, (99%) of film is shot and projected theatrically at 24fps. It's only when it's telecine'd to NTSC video that it must be done at 23.976 fps

Okay I wasn't sure if it was actually 24 with film, but while we're going over semantics it should have been. "No, (99% of) film is shot and projected theatrically at 24fps."

:)

(Just worked it out, that technically a 100 minute theatrical film is 6 seconds longer in NTSC, whereas in PAL it's 4 minutes shorter)

Country of Origin is never really a way to be sure of with film quality look at The Warrior King(although the Thai DVD has exclusive extras) (but I can't think of any other examples to prove my point)

With TV shows I always prefer to have NTSC shows in NTSC and PAL shows in PAL.

I can't understand why companies don't release all shows done in NTSC, in NTSC.

[ForestFilmsUK]

Hi ForestFilmsUK,

Ive got quite a few dvd releases of this film and i personally think that the italian import 2 disc dvd on the Beat Records label is superior to the Media Blasters/Shriek Show release,the Shriek Show will be a PAL to NTSC conversion and shreik show are also monkeys for interlacing their discs which causes undesirable effects on the picture,with the film being native PAL i find it better to go for a PAL release,the Beat Records release to me seems to have a much clearer and crisper image particularly in the dark scenes,the sound also seems to be better on the italian release,the Beat Records release may be a little hard to track down but im sure somewhere like xploited cinema will still have it in stock,i usually stay well clear of Shriek Show releases as they are notoriously troublesome,the only instance when i will by ss releases is such in the case of A Lizard in a Womans Skin which is the longet version out there to date.

Hope this has helped you.

I was aware of SS doing PAL ot NTSC conversions before, which is what worried me, and why i didn't pick it up.
Looks like it probably is, at which point i'll get the italian disc, if I cna get it.

[tall dude]

Some reviews of the film also state that eastman jumps up and down on the belly of the pregnant female,thus inducing a foetal abortion:eek:
Anyone who's seen the film will know thats not true.

[SimonT]

Some reviews of the film also state that eastman jumps up and down on the belly of the pregnant female,thus inducing a foetal abortion:eek:
Anyone who's seen the film will know thats not true.

You can thank Darkside Magazine's "Video Nasties" book for that colourful description.

You tend to find most video nasty summary's on the web were taken from there.

[MarcMorris]

I was aware of SS doing PAL ot NTSC conversions before, which is what worried me, and why i didn't pick it up.

I honestly don't think many of you realise just how many of your discs ARE do in fact originate from standards converted masters. In most cases if they are done properly you would never know.

[ITCHY TOE]

Hi ForestFilmsUk,

No need to get worried over this as differences between formats really is neglible,there seems to be a never ending debate as to the low points and high points of PAL vs NTSC,PAL TO NTSC COVERSIONS,NTSC TO PAL CONVERSIONS.
At the end of the day a dvd is just a disc with compressed files of information that being visual & audio,the information that is placed on the disc can be of two different resolutions-ie-720 x 576 for PAL-720 x480 NTSC,the most common frame rates are 24,25,30 frames per sec,your dvd player then takes the information on the disc and then formats it accordingly-ie-either PAL or NTSC.
To get to the basics of resolution PAL dvd's have a slight advantage over NTSC in that PAL dvd's have 576 pix of vertical resolution compared to 480 pix of vertical resolution for NTSC,thats quite a fair increase in resolution for PAL,increased resolution does mean a better image but thats as far as it goes as there are many other factors governing the quality of an image,aspect ratios affect picture quality-ie not all of the active pixels that are avilable on the dvd will be used in a widescreen image.

This subject is endless and im sure theres many more forum members who could explain things in more detail,again ive just put up a little info in laymans terms,to be honest its a boring subject and for us normal folk watching our films at home it dosent make enough difference to warrent going on about.

As for the Anthro dvd theres nothing wrong at all with the SS release but personally i think the quality is quite a bit better on the R2 Beat Records italian import,also yes xploited cinema do have it in stock and it comes to about £20.00 or so with p+p.

[SicCoyote]

On the price and shop point, I'd say go for the SS version, it's got slightly worse colour, but it is a bit clearer.

Also Xploited are notorious for being on the customs hit-list, and £20 is far too much to pay for this film :D £6.25 +P&P from dvd pacific is much more like it. http://dvdpacific.com/item.asp?ID=681748
Or a simpler £7.74 from Amazon.co.uk http://www.amazon.co.uk/Anthropophagus-Grim-Reaper-REGION-NTSC/dp/B000AC7P5Q

[MarcMorris]

I think this comparing DVDs is all fine, but the same disc will look different on any TV you sscreen it on anyway as all TVs are set up differently.

[ITCHY TOE]

Yes as marc said the same disc will look different on different tv sets thats why its just a personal choice to me,its looks better on my set than the ss release but on your tv set the ss release may look better than the r2 release,i wouldnt take these factors too much to heart ForestFilmsuk as like i said the difference will be negligible if even noticable.

Yes i would probably go with another supplier if you want the title,personally ive never had any probs with xploited cinema and the customs and Tony has always provided a fantastic service but i do know alot of people who have had their goods seized by customs.

[SicCoyote]

I think this comparing DVDs is all fine, but the same disc will look different on any TV you sscreen it on anyway as all TVs are set up differently.

Yes but as with everything, it's the source that matters, get the best source and it will look best, usually.

If it is interlaced, and you are viewing it on a flatscreen TV progressively, it will look worse, but that's more a hardware problem than a problem with the DVD, but I would always prefer to have a progressive recording. Maybe with Blu-Ray, eh?.

Actually if anyone wants the Shriekshow DVD, I'll sell you mine for £7 'One careful owner, watched once, then placed in a dark corner.'

[ITCHY TOE]

Good price SicCoyote,i would go for that ForestFilmsuk if i was you,at £7.00 its a bargain and your not having to send overseas for it either,a very good release and i would snap it up at that price-cheap as chips.

[ForestFilmsUK]

Hi ForestFilmsUk,

No need to get worried over this as differences between formats really is neglible,there seems to be a never ending debate as to the low points and high points of PAL vs NTSC,PAL TO NTSC COVERSIONS,NTSC TO PAL CONVERSIONS.
At the end of the day a dvd is just a disc with compressed files of information that being visual & audio,the information that is placed on the disc can be of two different resolutions-ie-720 x 576 for PAL-720 x480 NTSC,the most common frame rates are 24,25,30 frames per sec,your dvd player then takes the information on the disc and then formats it accordingly-ie-either PAL or NTSC.
To get to the basics of resolution PAL dvd's have a slight advantage over NTSC in that PAL dvd's have 576 pix of vertical resolution compared to 480 pix of vertical resolution for NTSC,thats quite a fair increase in resolution for PAL,increased resolution does mean a better image but thats as far as it goes as there are many other factors governing the quality of an image,aspect ratios affect picture quality-ie not all of the active pixels that are avilable on the dvd will be used in a widescreen image.

This subject is endless and im sure theres many more forum members who could explain things in more detail,again ive just put up a little info in laymans terms,to be honest its a boring subject and for us normal folk watching our films at home it dosent make enough difference to warrent going on about.

As for the Anthro dvd theres nothing wrong at all with the SS release but personally i think the quality is quite a bit better on the R2 Beat Records italian import,also yes xploited cinema do have it in stock and it comes to about £20.00 or so with p+p.

Thanks for the detailed description, but I am in the industry myself, and am more than familiar with how DVD framerates, standards and compression work. I've just spent three weeks teaching students on a summer course how to encode and author DVDs at Birmingham University.

I have done PAL to NTSC conversions myself (just run off a disc of conversions for Fangoria, for example), and there's a lot more to it than you think, and for me at least, it's always noticeable (as it is in most cases when being converted the other way, no matter how well it's done. The image just has a different look to it). Blue Underground's 'Tombs of the Blind Dead' was clearly a PAL to NTSC conversion, and I really didn't like that. I'd rather not have any more if I can avoid them.

I dont agree with your comments about format differences being negligeable. For example, a non-anamorphic PAL disc is 'tolerable', but an equivalent NTSC is much more irritating, due to the lesser line count showing up more prominently on zoom. And an interlaced NTSC disc, coupled with 3:2 pulldown can make combing effects that are quite pronounced at times, although that can often be dealt with in a more effective encode, as Mark states, if it's done well. The re-interlacing of changing from PAL 25 to NTSC 29.97 is the main problem with PAL to NTSC conversions, and a bugger to do if you're doing it yourself.
NTSC to PAL conversions look better than the other way around, there's always some degree of smudging present in a PAL to NTSC conversion, at least in all the ones I've seen. I'm sure I have some more PAL to NTSC conversions, I thnk perhaps Shriek Show's BURIAL GROUND, if I recall correctly?

[SicCoyote]

Pal to Ntsc is a piece of p*ss

Assuming the PAL has been recorded correctly at 25fps progressive as most films would be.

you just take that, reduce the resolution to 480, reduce the frame-rate to 23.976, adjust the speed of the soundtrack to fit, and put the flag on, piece of p*ss.

[ITCHY TOE]

Hi ForestFilms uk,

I assumed you was somebody who was just starting out collecting dvd's,as you was asking about anthro i just assumed with you not having this title that you was new to collecting dvd's and i didnt want potential problems with formats to put you off buying this title.

Everything you have put is quite right and im a stickler myself for trying to find titles in formats that will produce the best picture,all i was trying to put across is dont let this side of things put you off buying a title which you may otherwise want,all these things are widely debated and if i now said that the difference between formats was massive and made a huge difference i would no doubt be swamped by people telling me it makes very little difference,vice versa if i was to say that the difference between formats made very little difference i would be swamped yet again by people telling me that it makes a huge difference,to people whos been collecting dvd's for along time these things are obvious,you know what to look for and what to avoid,what equipment to buy and what not to buy thus with experience the potential problems with different formats become alot easier to spot but to most people who arent knowledged about these things they stick a disc in and wouldnt have a clue about any of the problems that go hand in hand with each format,as i said earlier i was just putting things in simple laymans terms,i think alot of us have forgotten what its like when youve just started off collecting films and thats why i try to put things in relatively simple terms because if anybody who is just starting off looks at something which seems very technical it can be very intimadating and very off putting and also seem like double dutch.
Negligible probably wasnt the best word to use as we all know the potential problems from different formants can be really annoying and very easily spoil a good film.
Like i said earlier this debate could go on forever and ever and ever,as for conversions be it PAL to NTSC or NTSC to PAL very few people are ever satisfied with the end results but as film fans theres only a limit to how many titles you can pick and choose from and at the end of the day if you want a particular title bad enough most people will purchase it no matter what the format is which brings me back to my original point, gaining a little knowledge about these things is always a good idea and try to deal with the pitfalls that go hand in hand with different formats the best you can and this will most definately make for more pleasurable viewing but dont let this take the pleasure out of collecting films and watching them.

[Vaughan]

Or - just do some research and read reviews before jumping in and buying something. ;)

This a familiar debate, but the fact is there isn't a whole lot any of us can do about it other than read reviews and visit comparison sites, trying to figure out the best release out there. The quality of the visuals is of course a factor - but other things play into it too - the audio options, extras etc.

Oh, and I don't have Anthro on DVD yet - but I've been buying DVD for a while. :)

Mind you, I really should grab it soon!

[ITCHY TOE]

Sound advice Black,

Yes thats right theres not alot we can do about it and as i said if the fans want a particular release bad enough they will purchase no matter what the format,as for same releases on different labels well youve given the best advice and thats look at image comparisons and get reading those reviews.

[MarcMorris]

and put the flag on

I really don't know where people think that to make a DVD 'progressive' means just ticking a box. It doesn't. It requires a brand new telecine of the original negatives (or reverse telecine) and a different MPEG2 encoding - it annoys me no end when reviewers state that a DVD was 'not flagged for progressive playback' - they obviously do not have a clue what they are talking about.

[ForestFilmsUK]

Flagging code is for 4:3 or anamorphic only. Doesn't change the image in anyway, just tells the player & TV how to display the image. What you mention is one of only a number of things I see in absurd reviews from time to time, the other being that a lot of different reviewers dont really know what MPEG2 artifacting is.

[Vaughan]

It's film grain - isn't it? :D

[SicCoyote]

I meant the flag to tell it to do the pull down.

I would assume any telecine would have been done in progressive in the first place.

It is possible to make a progressive version out of an interlaced master, it may not look quite as good as a brand new transfer but it is possible, all the information is there.

I was confused by some reviews of the Zombi 2 disc saying that it had the wrong flag as yes it was interlaced video, changing the flag wouldn't have made any difference. Why they interlaced it I don't know.

[MarcMorris]

No, there is no flag. It all depends on where the telecine is done. if its PAL then they are always done interlaced. As ANTHTHRO is a PAL to NTSC conversion much work would be needed via reverse telecine to make a progessive master.

You ned to spend some time in telecine labs to know the real ins and outs of how this work is carried out.

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A "FLAG"!

[SicCoyote]

Why would you do a pal interlaced master when the end result is a PAL 25fps progressive dvd in most cases?

[Grant]

I think the suggestion was that the thread had gone a bit er...technical CJ (Fast Show sketch!). :D

[ForestFilmsUK]

I do progressive shoots for DVD, and the image is always techincally progressive, but the system always treats the footage as interlaced, even when it isn't. 'COnverting to progressive' (ie de-interlacing with a filter in an editing system), so to speak only results in loss of detail. So it's all a bit weird really. Even when it's prog, it's interlaced, if that makes any sense. For PAL anyway.

doing 3:2 pulldown is nothing to do with flagging. If you're using a proper encoding converter system, it's simply a form of frame-rate resampling and mixing (ie re-interlacing), and is done at that point. Once it's converted, you need do nothing else with the image afterwards.

[SimonT]

I do progressive shoots for DVD, and the image is always techincally progressive, but the system always treats the footage as interlaced, even when it isn't. 'COnverting to progressive' (ie de-interlacing with a filter in an editing system), so to speak only results in loss of detail. So it's all a bit weird really. Even when it's prog, it's interlaced, if that makes any sense. For PAL anyway.

doing 3:2 pulldown is nothing to do with flagging. If you're using a proper encoding converter system, it's simply a form of frame-rate resampling and mixing (ie re-interlacing), and is done at that point. Once it's converted, you need do nothing else with the image afterwards.

I have absoloutely NO idea what you just said! :confused:

[Diabolique]

Blimey it IS getting too technical on here.

[Vaughan]

It's called an education. It's a good thing. ;)

[ForestFilmsUK]

I have absoloutely NO idea what you just said! :confused:

Trust me, I have to try and teach this stuff, it's not easy from my side either. explaining how interlacing works is difficult enough, let alone dealing with PAL to NTSC conversions, 3:2 pulldown, encoding, bitstreams and the like. Most students are complete newbies to this type of thing.

There's probably some big detailed explanation on the internet somewhere that can make it make a bit more sense than my brief paragraph.

[Gattaca]

It reminds me of a scene in House by the Cemetrey where the deranged killer drags the woman across the floor and it appears her left eye and head are damaged,yet the previous scene where the killer is slaughtering her you do not see any damage being brought to her eye or head. :confused:

As with most Fulci directed affairs, the continuity is not at the forefront.

[Vaughan]

Well, I just watched this for the first time. :)

You know, I've heard bad things about it, but I think it's quite decent. It has a deliverate pacing, and there are some genuinly good scenes - such as when the beast is walking toward the husband and wife in the catacombs - his breath misting. It's really good.

Yes, it's not a fast paced film, but so what? The Greek setting is unusual enough to hold interest (bringing to mind Island of Death), and Eastman is fantastic as the monster.

You know, this could become something of a genre favorite. It'd make a wonderful double-bill with Fulci's Zombi 2. They have a similar feel to them. Glad I finally got to see this.

By the way, I watched the Shriek Show release, all looked fine to me.

[SicCoyote]

I don't mind a slowly paced film, but this one is slowly paced with no character development and nothing much really happens.

Zombi 2 also is a little slow but it is certainly a lot better than Anthro.

[Vaughan]

I don't mind a slowly paced film, but this one is slowly paced with no character development and nothing much really happens.

Zombi 2 also is a little slow but it is certainly a lot better than Anthro.

That's exactly the sentiment I've heard about it. I just didn't feel that at all. Character development didn't bother me at all. What builds is the dark mood of the island and abandoned town. The feeling of being cut off, with the boat tantilizingly out of reach.

But a lot happens.... it has, what, four good set pieces? The reveal of the onster is great - in fact that whole thunder storm scene is terrific. There's a couple of classic moments (the baby, the climax). The final scene in the well is simply marvellous.

Yeah - I thought it was great.

[Someone Weird]

It'd make a wonderful double-bill with Fulci's Zombi 2. They have a similar feel to them. Glad I finally got to see this.

I've always thought this too. Both films have been dismissed as slow, but I think they work well because they build their story nicely (with the occassional shock) before letting rip in the final third. Classics, both of 'em!