Santo Vs. Hombres Infernales – VCI Entertainment (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Mexico, 1961
Directors: Joselito Rodríguez, Enrique Zambrano
Writers: Enrique Zambrano, Fernando Osés
Cast: Joaquín Cordero, Gina Romand, Enrique Zambrano, Jorge Marx, Fernando Osés, Santo

Release Date: September 16th, 2025
Approximate Running Time: 75 Minutes 3 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1 Aspect Ratio / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: NR
Sound: LPCM Mono Spanish
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $24.95

"In this early entry of the iconic Santo film series, the masked wrestler El Santo teams up with undercover agent Joaquín (played by Joaquín Cordero) to dismantle a drug smuggling ring. The narrative unfolds with thrilling chases, intense fights, and even musical interludes, showcasing the unique blend of action and entertainment characteristic of the genre." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 3/5

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, "Restored in 4K."

Santo Vs. Hombres Infernales comes on a 25 GB single layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 21.7 GB

Feature: 20.1 GB

Although this release utilizes a 4K source, it is not the same source that Powerhouse Films used for their release. Where this release presents the film in a 1.37:1 aspect ratio, the Powerhouse Films release is presented in a 1.66:1 aspect ratio. Also, the Powerhouse Films release opens with restoration credits; this is why there is a difference in these two releases' running time. Flesh tones look healthy, image clarity and black levels are strong, and there are no issues with compression. That said, there are traces of digital filtering.

Audio: 3.5/5

This release comes with one audio option, a LPCM mono mix in Spanish with removable English subtitles. Although the audio sounds clear and balanced, it is limited range-wise.

Extras:

Extras for this release include an AI-created featurette titled (2 minutes 47 seconds, LPCM stereo English, no subtitles). There is also an identical Spanish-language version of this same extra. This release comes with bilingual packaging and menus.

Summary:

I have previously reviewed Santo vs. Infernal Men as part of a double feature release from Powerhouse Films. Instead of writing a new review, I want to share my thoughts on both films, as they are intertwined due to being shot back-to-back.

Santo vs. Evil Brain was shot back-to-back with Santo vs. Infernal Men in Cuba in 1958 (both films would not be released until 1961). These two films mark the beginning of the adventure of a character named Santo. In all, Rodolfo Guzmán Huerta, aka Santo, would star in fifty-three Santo films.

Santo vs. Evil Brain and Santo vs. Infernal Men share a similar narrative. In both films, an undercover agent donning a silver mask confronts a malevolent doctor who has developed a brainwashing drug and is involved in drug smuggling.

Although there are many similarities between Santo vs. Evil Brain and Santo vs. Infernal Men, tone-wise, the two films could not be further apart. Santo vs. Evil Brain is a campy film that does a great job blending action and fantasy elements, while Santo vs. Infernal Men is more of a pedestrian detective story.

The main attraction of both films is Santo, a mask-wearing crime fighter whose connection to law enforcement remains vague. Rodolfo Guzmán Huerta’s portrayal of Santo emphasizes his physicality. Santo, a man of few words, spends most of his screen time displaying his wrestling moves as he takes down bad guys. The other performances in the films are largely melodramatic.

Both films feature strong cinematography that takes advantage of Cuba’s landscapes. These films also provide a time capsule look at Cuba pre-Castro. Santo vs. Evil Brain has a briskly paced narrative, while Santo vs. Infernal Men’s narrative has too many drawn-out mundane moments. Another weakness of Santo vs. Infernal Men is its padding of the narrative with footage from Santo vs. Evil Brain. Although Santo vs. Evil Brain is clearly the stronger of these two films, both are must-sees if you're a fan of Santo or lucha libre films.

VCI Entertainment gives Santo Vs. Hombres Infernales a serviceable audio/video presentation.

 

Written by Michael Den Boer