Consumer Information Movie Reviews

CHALLENGE OF DEATH (1978) is a follow-up (but not a sequel) to THE HOT, THE COOL AND THE VICIOUS (1976) and reunites the two stars and director of that film for a similarly styled tale of kung fu opponents who wind up working together to root out shadowy criminal activity protected by powerful higher-ups. While the earlier film dealt with counterfeiting in a remote Chinese town, this one deals with weapons being smuggled to local warlords during the Chinese civil war of the early 20th century.

Tan Tao Liang (aka Delon Tam) again plays a character named Captain Lu while Wong Tao plays a gambler whose ex-girlfriend is a broker for the shadowy weapons supplier, making Wong useful to Captain Lu as a way of infiltrating the operation. Tan is a dragon fist expert (and high kicker) and Wong is a snake fist fighter; when their elusive enemy turns out to be a spider fist expert, they realize they have to combine their skills in order to beat him. The film's story moves along well and serves as an excellent showcase for the talents of its three fighting stars (the third is Chang Yi as the main villain). Director Lee Tso Nam made a string of highly-regarded kung fu films in Taiwan in the late 1970s-early '80s, including EAGLE'S CLAW and GREEN JADE STATUETTE.

Tan Tao Lang, Wang Tao, and Chang Yi star in this amazing film. Tan Tao plays a local law enforcer who arrests Wang Tao. The two journey back to town but not with out their problems. After many attempts to escape and many fist fights Tao is shackled up. After a while the two men begin to actually pay attention to each other and talk. Both realizing soon after that they are both in search of the same man, and have similar goals. Their similar goal is to stop the evil Spider Chang Yi. Together the two fighters decide to try their luck against Yi. Tan Tao using his feard Dragon Fist, and Wang Tao using the Snake style they attempt to stop the spider in his path. What they didn't expect was the power and speed of his till then invincible Spider Kung fu. Together can they Stop the Spider? or do they get caught in his web?

Fights well choreographed, unique styles (spider kung fu is amazing), and an all-star cast. Gotta have this one if your a collector.

Not Really...(I rate it more like 3.75 stars)

Starring: Tan Tao Liang, Don Wong Tao, Tommy Lee Tso-Nam, Chang Yi (1980) (Corey Yuen Kwai as a gang villian with no fights or skills)

Billed as the sequel to "The Hot the Cool and the Vicious" it has nothing to do with the first movie. The fighting was much better and a lot faster as well as more crisp than the HCTV. Tan Tao Liang looked a lot better in this movie as he not only used his superior kicking skills, he also used the Dragon Claw technique while Wang Tao utilized his snake fist. Tommy Lee actually played a gang villian in this movie while the main villian was played by Chang Yi. (His name is Chang Yu in the opening credits).

The story was a bit more interesting than HCTV, with even a bit a light comedy that actually worked and made the movie a bit more entertaining. Tan plays a policeman while Wang Tao plays a womanizing gambler/crook.

There were more fights in this movie, and the interesting Spider fist technique worked as well. (I'm not sure if that's a true technique, however, I do know fighters don't shoot web's...hehe)

Overall slightly better than HCTV.

I watched the short film that was part of the extras on this disc and was very entertained. It was smart, to-the-point & had a sort of retro black & white foreign film feel while retaining the existential twist that makes it interesting.
Unfortunately,( don't get me wrong, I love many of Alex Cox's films )the feature was over-written, badly cast & had some of the worst recorded dialogue sound I've ever heard for a film.
I wish that someone would release Cox's 'Highway Patrolman' on dvd as this one seems like a wasted effort.

At first glance, Alex Cox would seem the least likely interpreter of Jorge Luis Borges. Cox, best known for his Punk/New Wave era classics Repo Man and Sid and Nancy has a messy, overflowing visual style; where as the Argentine master's enigmatic puzzle-box stories are always meticulously constructed. On the other hand, Death and the Compass, one of the great short stories of the 20th century, is a piece drenched in the Kabbalah and the search for order in chaos and it is one of the more curious tenets of several mystical traditions that Wisdom may be hidden in the trash pile; or, as in another of Borges' stories, the manifestation of the omniprescence of God may show up in an unremarkable basement in Buenos Aires.

Cox's film is full of action and life, his sets overflowing with visual detail and just plain junk very reminiscent of Gilliam's sets for Twelve Monkeys (done on a much smaller budget, however). The movie is remarkably faithful to the particulars of the original story. Peter Boyle is very good as the obsessed and unorthodox police detective Lonrott who is way too clever for his own good. Miguel Sandoval is perhaps a bit too eccentric in his performance in the narrative framing sequence added by Cox, and the whole framing sequence may be overly "punched up" with odd sound effects and random jump cuts. But overall it's an excellent if unexpected interpretation of a classic story.

The disc sports a solid anamorphic transfer. There are a few specks at reel changes and some grain in the night shots (not an effect of the transfer, though, this was a fairly low budget film), and some nice extras: commentary from Cox and one of the members of Pray for Rain who composed the lovely gothy/techno vaguely retro-80s score, and an early 30 minute short of Cox's called Spider Web.

This is a lost gem of a movie that deserves a much wider audience. Terry Gilliam fans, in particular, should enjoy it.

For any aficionado of Jorge Luis Borges' writing, "Death and the Compass" by Alex Cox is a must skip. Any trace of Borges' subtle fantasy and intricate intelligence is lost in the glut of this unsuccessful Terry Gilliam-wannabe. Its post-apocalyptic setting, flashy colors and characters, warped camera angles and close-ups may all stylistically remind viewers of Terry Gilliam films such as "Brazil". Except unlike a Terry Gilliam film, I can't seem to find a point to this movie. There's a complete lack of intelligent dialogue, even the actors appeared stumped by the lack of interesting or realistic lines. All of its flashy techniques and synthesizer sounds give the impression that Cox aimed too hard to make this film an instant "cult" classic. Along the way, the original short story is lost all together. The sole redeeming point of the movie comes at the finale, where an impressive vision of the labyrinthine Triste LeRoy is recreated. I really liked two of Alex Cox' other movies, "Repo Man" - which is about the supernatural adventures of a newcomer in the car repossession business, and "Sid and Nancy". I think both movies have incredible merit, but "Death and the Compass" is a miss.

So why am I giving this DVD five stars? Well, the previous reviewer was correct in that this DVD contains a "lost gem". It's just that this "gem" is not the feature film most would suspect; it is instead the "bonus" short film by Paul Miller called "Spiderweb", also based on Borges' story "Death and the Compass". Though according to the audio commentary by Alex Cox, this 20-minute short film was made in the seventies, it is shot in clear black and white, reminiscent of a 1930s' film. It's steeped in visual symbolism that interpret literary expressions. The entire film is thoughtfully shot and carefully edited. Unlike often-seen student shorts, it feels more like a mini feature film. Like a Borges story, it is short and sweet. And similarly, I will keep my review of it short. For any Borges aficionado, "Spiderweb" is a rewarding treasure find. For any movie aficionado, it is an intelligent adaptation of a Borges story that the author himself would have approved of.

this was an ok movie, good special effects but entiarly predictable. good enough to view once.

Basically, two scientists (husband and wife) are living at a house for a year to study a rumor of a haunting. The ghost becomes attached to the wife. Instead of studying the ghost, the couple decides to help it out. If I tell you anymore, I will give the movie away. This movie was done very well. The sound was great. If you have Surround Sound, you will be a little spooked. You will hear moaning from behind you, and walking around your house. I think for the price of the movie, it was a really good purchase.

Basically, two scientists (husband and wife) are living at a house for a year to study a rumor of a haunting. The ghost becomes attached to the wife. Instead of studying the ghost, the couple decides to help it out. If I tell you anymore, I will give the movie away. This movie was done very well. The sound was great. If you have Surround Sound, you will be a little spooked. You will hear moaning from behind you, and walking around your house. I think for the price of the movie, it was a really good purchase.

For the fifth entry in a series that was mediocre to begin with, this film really isn't that bad. It's no masterpiece, but Charles Bronson sure knows how to kick ... and does plenty of it in several cool action scenes. It's basically like all the other Death Wish movies except this one has much better dialogue than the others. *** for Charles Bronson fans. ** for everybody else.

This movie is only good to make up the set if you intend on buying all five of them, other wise avoid it because it is the weakest of the lot.Death Wish 1 to 4 are great. Part 5 does not really have much action and if that's what your looking for, check out parts 3 and 4.
Once again, as in the others, Kersey loses his partner to street scum. The leader of this gang is played by Parks who is usually a good actor, but he's not that good in this.In any case, Kersey puts a lid on him in the end by throwing him into hot watery wax. Another thing, Parks is such a ratbag in this his own daughter likes Kersey better. Can't say I blame her. Her father did have her mother killed.

When Charles Bronson died recently, he left behind a body of work spanning four decades. One of his last film projects was an entry in a memorable franchise, the final installment of the "Death Wish" films. "Death Wish V: The Face of Death" marked the end of more than one era. Gone forever is the reliable low budget Bronson actioner that predominated the 1980s. I grew up on a steady diet of Chuck Bronson films, so paying homage to this enjoyable actor by watching this film was quite easy. It was a surprise to notice that one member of the Golan-Globus team that ran Cannon films in the 1980s produced "Death Wish V," giving the movie even more of a nostalgic feel. The "Death Wish" series introduced America to Paul Kersey, an architect by trade who, through a series of unfortunate and violent circumstances, sought bloody revenge on criminals who murdered his family. The first film did wonderfully at the box office, providing a measure of vicarious thrill for a population weary of rampant crime on the streets of America. Then the series got ridiculous as Kersey literally became a death wish for anybody who associated with him. In each subsequent film, a girlfriend or soon to be wife bought the big one, inspiring the architect to hit the streets one more time in search of retribution. This guy lost more people close to him because of criminals than would ever be possible, but such is the dangerous world of filmmaking.

In "Death Wish V," Kersey, now in the witness protection program after his last outbreak of bloody violence, again decides to look for a wife. He finds one in Olivia Regent, a one time model who now runs her own fashion studio. Even better, Olivia has a young daughter who thinks the world of Paul and eagerly wants her mother to marry him. The only obstacle to this happy union is Olivia's ex-husband, a brutal Irish gangster named Tommy O'Shea, a guy who persists in harassing his ex-wife because he has a stake in her business. He also wants his daughter back and will do almost anything to achieve this goal. When O'Shea isn't terrorizing his family, he spends his time shaking down other businesses in the garment district. Oh, and just so we know this guy is a big time baddie, the film makes sure to let us know that O'Shea is also a racist. Within minutes Paul and Tommy exchange a few words, and we just know that Kersey will go after this guy. After a goon roughs up Olivia and murders her factory manager, Kersey quickly realizes that his complaints to the authorities fall on deaf ears. Both the police and the D.A.'s office say they can do nothing because no one will testify against the nasty O'Shea. In fact, they tell Paul that they have been on this criminal's tail for some sixteen years without success. The architect's rage knows no bounds when Olivia dies in a shoot out and her daughter ends up in the custody of her gangster father. Out comes the gun and Kersey is off on yet another bloody crusade against street predators.

Bronson looks surprisingly fit for a man well into his seventies. While I didn't buy some of the antics he took part in, the filmmakers wisely decided to minimize any physical confrontations between Kersey and O'Shea's goons. Instead, the revenge killings that take place involve some cyanide, a soccer ball filled with explosives (which works well as an idea and leads to a cool "guy on fire" scene), and your typical final showdown with plenty of gunfire and explosions. Some of the deaths are unintentionally funny, such as the factory worker soaring through a storefront window and the acid bath at the end. Overall, "Death Wish V" delivers some satisfying screen violence that fits in well with the arc of the series overall. Special mention goes to the special effects technicians who punched up the sounds of the gunfire and explosions. Every time a gun goes off it sounds like a howitzer, and the explosions boomed out of my speakers in deafening peals. Expect to hear some classic Bronson lines as he delivers justice the only way he knows how. I roared with laughter over the soccer ball scene, especially when I noticed how Kersey smiles and laughs as the guy dies. Overdone, perhaps, but realistic if this is really a guy seeking revenge for the death of a loved one.

The performances aren't too bad for this type of film. Bronson phones in his performance, which isn't surprising because he's played this character so many times. The guy who played Tommy O'Shea decided to imbue his character with a drollness as thick as an Irish brogue. Lesley-Anne Down doesn't do much as Olivia Regent, nor does the actress who plays her daughter. The various actors playing O'Shea's goons failed to stick in my memory five minutes after I watched this thing, but who cares, really? As long as Kersey blows 'em away by the end, I'm a happy camper. The violence is the real star of this movie anyway. Be sure and look for the familiar faces of Saul Rubinek as Tony Hoyle and Miguel Sandoval as his suspicious sidekick Hector. The DVD doesn't contain too much in the way of extras, but the picture looks good for such a fun, throwaway movie. You simply have to like a film that uses a poisoned pastry and a remote controlled toy to dispatch bad guys. You should also like a film that makes dandruff a major plot point. Perhaps Bronson deserved better projects for his final movie appearances, but I appreciated the fact that he made another one of these films. R.I.P., Charles Bronson.

Well first off note that this mondo style film never bored me. It had just enough action packed into the 105 minutes to keep me watching. If you took away the death scenes and just listened to the commentary, you would take alot out of exactly what the movie was trying to get across. Most people judge this film too harshly. I will warn you, if you are weak at heart do NOT WATCH THIS FILM, but anybody else who has a free night and wants to watch special effects at there near greatest, check this movie out. Although not 100% real, this is still worth watching. I think that a group of film students wanted to make a scary movie and didnt want to include a plot so they made this. All over, 3 out of 5.

After reviewing the Traces of Death, personally I thought the Faces of Death was a whole lot better. The Faces of Death basicly goes through the different ways people or animals have died or been killed. I didn't find it scary, but one doesn't always realize how they could die. I believe viewing for some should be warned that this may not be suitable for some. The videos remind me of something that might be on the Discovery Channel, or parts could be on the unsolved mysteries. It wasn't bad..I would recommend it for those who are curious of how many ways one might be found dead, or die or be killed. If one is looking for a movie, this isn't it. If one is curious on autopsy, this video is far better than the video I got on autopsy
thru the eyes of a detective.

I think that this video is a valuable cultural resource and hasn't been given the credit it deserves. It's kind of sad that I watched it more or less unflinchingly. But I thought it was great. Cheesy, but a classic. "Often imitated, never equaled." Well, I don't know about that, but I do think it is a delightfully indulgent piece of work. I don't feel like I wasted my money on it. My favorite part was the EPA protest where the guy lights himself on fire and then there's the montage of carnage and some dorky guy strumming a guitar singing "jesus doesn't live here anymore ..." It was hilarious, subtle genious.

If you are a fan of this western, just be warned that the quality of the film is horrible. The print has not been restored at all, and the picture suffers from faded colours, specks and a dirty print. Still, it has Lee Van Cleef and Ennio Morricone doing the score. If the quality of the print doesn't bother you, then the 10 bucks for this DVD isnt that much.

Lee Van Cleef is awesome as always and carrys the flick. Downer note quality of DVD is poor and seems like a 6th generation VHS copy. Great Movie and Plot but the quality ruins it. 2.5 stars

For fans of the spaghetti western genre, Death Rides a Horse will remind them of For A Few Dollars More, one of Sergio Leone's Dollars trilogy starring Clint Eastwood. While very similar the film is still worth watching. Lee Van Cleef is awesome, as usual, with John Phillip Law giving a decent performance albeit without much emotion. Usual cast of supporters in the genre with Luigi Pistilli and Mario Brega and even a small part with Anthony Dawson. Excellent storyline with one of the best endings in the spaghetti genre. However the DVD is of very poor quality with no extras offered whatsoever. Do what I did and wait for Turner Classic Movies to air it in widescreen and tape it. Only reason I give this DVD 3 stars is because of the quality. The movie on its own would probably be closer to five.

Bank robbers, a highjacking, AND a giant killer crocodile in the same movie! What more could you ask for?

This movie could have been better. It does have some good crocodile shots and it is very gory. I wish those bad guys wouldn't swear so much. ...Not much to say about this one. I was a little disapointed.

Crocodile 2 is almost as much fun as the first one. The CGI effects are ok, and some of the crocodile deaths were done well (the death roll). The plot was a little bit silly and the bad guys were such WANNABES! Who else wanted to go into the screen and beat them over the head?! They were so annoying! f this and f that. The movie was pretty good, but it would have been alot better, had the bad guys been killed alot earlier. (like that bad guys just got them to the swamp, were eaten and then the people were left to survive on their own.) If you liked the first one, then you will probobly like this one. The gore was okay, and the acting was very good on the part of the flight assistant. Wortha rental. I bought it to complete my collecton for a very low price.
OVERALL SCORE:78
plot:15/20
direction: 16/20
cast: 15/20
fun:18/20
special effects:17/20

Game of Death is much more than a film; for this Bruce Lee fan, it is an emotional experience - both good and bad. Bruce Lee died suddenly early in the shooting of the film, yet the fight scenes that would serve as the late moments of the movie were much too good to deny all of the Bruce Lee fans and mourners in the world. Finishing this movie and releasing it to the world was a tough decision, and the film suffers from both the plot manipulation that serves to tie the pieces of the scant 10-15 minutes of Bruce Lee footage together with the radically changed storyline as well from the competent stand-in who is in no way, shape, or form the equal of Bruce Lee, but for me personally, the merits of Game of Death far outweigh the negative connotations associated with it. Many a devoted Bruce Lee fan will disagree and decry this mutated film as a travesty and insult to the legendary man, and I can understand such feelings. In the end, each Bruce Lee devotee must come to his/her own conclusion as to the merits of this film. It is important to note that Game of Death was released six full years after Bruce Lee's death, and this fact does much in my mind to offset allegations some make that Bruce's memory was exploited purely for profit here; as I see it, Game of Death is a controversial gift to Bruce Lee's fans and in some ways a tribute to the amazing man's life and career. Many fans will hold the opposite opinion.

It is difficult to know the full history of this film as it evolved over time. As I understand it, much of the actual Bruce Lee footage (less than fifteen minutes of the released film) was shot in 1972, and Lee served as writer, choreographer, and even director of the film ; during production, though, he suspended filming in order to make the triumphant Enter the Dragon. After finishing that project, Lee apparently planned to rewrite and re-shoot Game of Death, but he died suddenly and tragically before his new vision could be formulated. Later, Robert Clouse decided to complete the project, using a stand-in (who is obviously not Bruce Lee) for most of the dramatic and some of the early fighting scenes, re-shooting some scenes with the original surviving actors, and pasting in some close-ups from Enter the Dragon. There is one awful shot early on showing an obviously pasted-on image of Lee's face which is just frighteningly amateurish, but the stand-in is also unimpressive. Consigned to sunglasses or a helmet in order to hide his eyes, the stand-in is most obvious in the fight scenes he takes part in; talented he may be, but he is no Bruce Lee. Some plot twists involving a faked death and plastic surgery serve as the new plot's weakest points, but perhaps the most controversial decision Clouse made was the inclusion of some shots of Bruce Lee's actual funeral.

The story really isn't that important; it is just a means to an end. The fight scenes making up the final portion of the film are what really matter, and it is here that we get to see the real Bruce Lee in action. Part of Lee's original vision of this film was a series of climactic fights showcasing different fighting styles, and we find his character working his way up through a ladder of increasingly dangerous opponents, culminating in the amazing fight between Lee and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. I believe Kareem actually studied under Lee for some time, and his performance is quite amazing, especially as he absolutely towers over Bruce Lee. I feel safe in saying that Kareem was the only man to ever make Bruce Lee look small. Of course, the larger they are, the harder they fall, especially when Bruce Lee is the man doing the chopping. This fight with Kareem is something that no Bruce Lee fan should miss; skip over the rest of the movie if you want to, but you owe it to yourself to watch this fight scene.

Of course, one must also mention the uncanny parallel between this film and the future life and career of Bruce Lee's son Brandon. In this film, Bruce Lee's martial arts movie star character is shot during the filming of a scene; here it is a willful act of murderous intent, but in the case of Brandon Lee's shooting death during the filming of The Crow the ironically parallel occurrence is a mystery that has never been adequately explained. Game of Death carries a unique and unsurpassed weight of emotional baggage, and I would simply urge Bruce Lee fans not to dismiss this film out of hand; whether you come to view it as a tribute or a travesty, it is a film that should not be ignored.

IN THE LAST MOVIE OF BRUCE LEE'S LIFE, A RISING MARTIAL ARTS STAR NAMED BILLY LO GETS HARASSED BY THE MAFIA. BUT, WHEN THEY VICIOUSLY SHOOT HIM, HE FAKES HIS DEATH AND GOES ON A MISSION FOR REVENGE. KEEP IN MIND THAT THE REAL BRUCE LEE DIED HALFWAY THROUGH THE MAKING OF THIS FILM. BUT SIX YEARS LATER, ROBERT CLOUSE GATHERED UP ALL THE SURVIVING CAST MEMBERS AND WITH THE USE OF DOUBLES FILLING IN FOR LEE, THIS MOVIE WAS COMPLETED. A VERY GOOD MARTIAL ARTS MOVIE WITH SOME LEGENDARY FIGHTS. THE FIGHT BETWEEN BRUCE LEE AND KAREEM ABDUL JABAR IS A MUST SEE. FOOTAGE FROM BRUCE LEE'S ACTUAL FUNERAL WAS USED FOR ONE SCENE IN THIS MOVIE. NONETHLESS, BRUCE LEE FANS SHOULD ENJOY THIS FINAL LOOK AT A TRUE MASTER OF THE MARTIAL ARTS.

Bruce Lee as we know is the master of Wing Chun Gung Fu, the creater of "the way of the intercepting fist"(for those of you who do not know that is Jeet Kune Do), and the master of about any weapon in his hand, especially the deadly Nunchuck. I feel many people did not give Bruce Lee his credit for this movie. You have to be blind to not see the value of this movie. I must admit that Enter the Dragon has this movie beat just alittle but not by much it still gives it a good run. Bruce lee inspired me to become a martial artist. He is the ultimate martial arts experience. Enjoy....===~~=== Nunchucks

Island of Death. Sounded like a cheesy "Dawn of the Dead" type Romero rip-off. Could be fun--what the heck? I bought it. And I'm sorry I did.

Most disgusting movie ever? Puhleeze! Not even close. The so-called 'disgusting' scenes are thrown in as an afterthought just to sell movies (the director freely admits this in an interview on the DVD). And they just aren't very disturbing. If they were at least funny, that would be something. But they aren't even that.

For a movie covering such a bloody subject, there are almost no graphic scenes whatsoever. The director tries to make this a virtue of the movie, saying the viewer's "imagination" provides the graphic elements. Bull-pucky. They just didn't know how to do it. They were incompetent, and it shows. Look--if Peter Jackson can figure out how to do it on $30,000, then these people can too. Deal with it.

Please don't buy this movie. It's not scary, not creepy, not disturbing, and not entertaining. Maybe if you are planning a trip to Mykonos you can get a feel for the island. But that's about it.

This movie is not of interest to everyone, only those that enjoy watching films that push the limits of what an audience is willing to watch. If you are a gore hound, then this probably isn't the movie for you, as it has hardly any gore and minimal blood. Not to say that there isn't violence, most of it just happens off camera. The real interesting part of this movie is the perverse acts that the main characters partake in. These acts include rape, murder, torture and bestiality. If you are interested in watching a movie that has very poor acting and a paper thin script, just to see what lengths a film may go to try to get banned, then this is the movie for you.

The director has an interview on the DVD in which he states that this movie was only made to shock people and make money. He said that they were wanting to cash in on the success of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. While this movie is nowhere near the Texas Chainsaw Massacre, for the right audience, this movie has its place.

You have to hand it to Greek director Nico Mastorakis: in a lengthy interview included on the DVD version of his 1975 exploitation classic "Island of Death," he blatantly admits that he created this movie in order to make money. After viewing "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" in Europe, Mastorakis knew he could create something comparable to the upsetting images he saw on the screen. Shortly after this event, he sat down and wrote the script for "Island of Death," intentionally imbuing it with the most shocking and nauseating of situations. The difference between Mastorakis and the majority of exploitation directors is that this Greek knows how to direct a film. "The Island of Death" is not so much a gritty movie as it is a series of striking contrasts captured beautifully on film. Don't get me wrong; it is sure to deliver a few jolts to even the most hardened of horror fans, with its over the top sadism and blasé attitude about violence.

Two British tourists named Christopher and Celia arrive on the Greek island of Mykonos in order to see the sights and rub elbows with the locals. Christopher likes the island because it has 350 churches spread across the landscape, meaning that the people on the island are especially religious. This perceived religiosity of the locals gives Christopher and Celia the idea that people of loose moral standards and questionable backgrounds aren't welcome. Therefore, Christopher decides Mykonos is the perfect place to start a personal pogrom against the local degenerates. The two embark on a bloody rampage of bizarre violence against select segments of the population by torturing, mutilating, and killing a French painter, two homosexuals, a lesbian, and a woman who sleeps around. Christopher is definitely the ringleader in these appalling crimes, and since he considers himself an angel of God sent to restore decency to the world, there exists not a whit of guilt about the crimes committed by the couple. For some inexplicable reason, Celia and Christopher tote a camera around with them in order to capture the carnage on film so they can gloat about their acts afterwards in the privacy of their rented cottage. Despite the fact that there is a private detective on their tail, Chris and Celia possess little reservations about upping the body count. Predictably, there exists a bit of a twist ending that really doesn't come as much of a shock in this type of film. Let's just say that one of the two get their comeuppance in the final scenes.

A lot of hype surrounds this film. The fact that Britain banned its release for many years seems to fuel many people's desire to see it. After viewing "The Island of Death," I readily understood why British censors balked at giving this one a pass. At least one sexual situation involves an activity more suited to a fetish film, but overall, Mastorakis skimps on excessive blood and gore. We see the killings and tortures, but the camera usually cuts away before any serious sauce flows. The disturbing elements of the film don't come from great special effects; rather, it's the idea of seeing someone forced to drink whitewash, die by hanging off a moving plane, receive a bath in lime, and have their face burned with flaming aerosol. The crude crucifixion performed on the hapless painter certainly didn't give those censors any breathing room, either. So, for those interested in "The Island of Death" because they think it is loaded with gore, you have been alerted that this film does not contain much in the way of substantial grue.

I wrote that this picture is a series of striking contrasts, and that's because the island of Mykonos is a gorgeously picturesque backdrop for the nightmare unfolding in the camera's foreground. The smartly whitewashed houses, the narrow streets, the lapping waves, the bright blue skies, and the wide-open fields look great while presenting a troubling contrast to the atrocities committed by Christopher and Celia. This is where the picture quality of the DVD comes in: the transfer is splendid; with colors so vivid it feels as though you are on the island itself. Mastorakis's use of background coupled with imaginative camera angles creates a truly memorable film experience. There are few horror/exploitation films with the type of marvelous cinematography found in "Island of Death." Add in the unusual soundtrack, and you have yourself a winner here.

Still, this movie is a rather low budget number, with some awkward acting and jarring edits that disturb the flow of the film. The lack of gore is disappointing for hardcore gorehounds such as myself (as if the disgusting subject matter isn't enough!), but overall I really enjoyed this movie. The interview with Mastorakis, who comes across as a friendly chap, illuminates many of the finer points of the film, providing a sort of mini-commentary track conveying lots of information on the production of the film, the actors, and the critical reactions to the project. The only other extras on the disc are music videos of the songs in the movie. "Island of Death" may not approach the levels of offensiveness found in such classics as "Cannibal Holocaust" or "Salo," but it is still a grimly effective little picture capable of clearing a packed movie theater if it chose to do so.

This is unquestionably one of the worst movies I have ever seen. The "death" scenes are all faked, clearly staged, and poorly at that! (The only scenes in the entire movie that appear to be genuine are footage from rabbit and chicken slaughter houses... what horror! :-P) Sometimes unredeemingly bad movies are so bad they're good. THIS IS NOT ONE OF THEM. Do not waste your time--or money--on this rubbish.

A Well made fictitious horror movie I can appreciate, this
despicable piece of trash I cannot.
How can anyone with a soul or conscience compile people's deaths'
into a film for profit?? or just for the deranged pleasure of it
I did not watch this, I knew some ppl who did. They were sorry
they did watch it...unbelievable not to mention very sad.
Don't buy this (or watch it) unless you are a twisted,sick, deranged ghoul of a person

O.k, i have come to the conclusion that there are two different versions of the "Faces of death" series: The "authentic" version, and the "garbage re-run" version. I first rented Faces of Death part 3 a while ago, and although alot of the footage was obviously fake, it was all NEW material exclusive to part 3. However, i just bought the video a couple weeks ago, and was shocked to see that it was nothing more than a few crappy scenes from parts 1 & 4, and a bit of stock footage from "The many taboos of death". This is quite strange as to why Gorgon video would put out a "good" version, and a cheap thrown together bad version. And apperantly, this is also true with parts 245 and 6. one has all material exclusive to that volume, and the other is just a bunch of re-run footage from earlyer ones. I suggest anyone who has this problem write to gorgon video or whoever it is that distributes this filler, and demand an explanation.....