VD – Cult Epics (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Netherlands, 1972
Director: Wim Verstappen
Writers: Wim Verstappen, Charles Gormley, Jan Verstappen
Cast: Kees Brusse, Andrea Domburg, Guus Oster, Ank van der Moer, Rudolf Lucieer, Sonja Barend, Hugo Metsers, Maartje Bijl, Marja Kok, Helmert Woudenberg, Kitty Courbois, Piet Römer, Allard van der Scheer

Release Date: May 26th, 2026
Approximate Running Time: 106 Minutes 31 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1 Aspect Ratio / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: NR
Sound: LPCM Mono Dutch, DTS-HD Mono Dutch
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $34.95

"Cornelis van Doorn is the boss of the family business VD, a factory for meat and birth contraceptives, as well as the godfather of his family. When the old gentleman gets burned out, a new generation is willing to take over the torch on the basis of the proven VD code, but not without conflict." – Synopsis provided by the Distributor

Video: 4.25/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "New restored 2K transfer."

VD comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 39.1 GB

Feature: 26.5 GB

The source is in excellent shape; it is free of any debris, flesh tones and colors look correct, image clarity and compression are solid, black levels are strong, and there are no issues with digital noise reduction.

Audio: 4/5 (LPCM Mono Dutch, DTS-HD Mono Dutch)

This release comes with two audio options, a LPCM mono mix in Dutch and a DTS-HD mono mix in Dutch. Both audio tracks sound clean, clear, and balanced. Range-wise, the score and ambient sounds are well-represented. Included are removable English subtitles.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a photo gallery (15 images—posters/stills), a theatrical trailer (2 minutes 46 seconds, Dolby Digital mono Dutch with removable English subtitles), a short film titled Festival of Love directed by Wim Verstappen (34 minutes 49 seconds, 1.37:1 aspect ratio, Dolby Digital mono Dutch with removable English subtitles), an audio commentary with film historian Peter Verstraten, reversible cover art with original Dutch poster art, and a slipcover (limited to the first pressing).

Other extras include a collection of Scorpio Films trailers: Dakota, Wan Pipel, Frank & Eva, My Nights with Susan, Olga, Albert, Julie, Piet & Sandra, Obsessions, Blue Movie, and Pastorale 1943.

Summary:

VD was directed by Wim Verstappen, who’s most known for his collaborations with Pim de la Parra, with whom he founded Scorpio Films. Notable films that he directed include Blue Movie, Dakota, and Pastorale 1943.

VD is a melodrama about an affluent patriarch named Cornelis van Doorn who owns a meatpacking company that also manufacturers contraceptives. It's immediately clear that Cornelis is a man with no moral center; he openly displays it in his unethical business and private lives. In the case of the latter, his behavior has greatly influenced his family, who also lack any morals.

When we first meet Cornelis, he’s a man in crisis, as he learns that his company is about to collapse due to a lack of sales of meat. Instead of giving up, he instructs the board members of his company to shift focus from meat products to the other product they manufacture, contraceptives, their only source of revenue. From there, they come up with a new product that they call Stop B, a paste that women rub on their genitals to avoid unwanted pregnancies.

Cornelis’ determination to save his company is not just to retain the affluent life; he’s become accomplished too. He has plans to leave VD to one of his heirs, and when it comes to choosing the one, this is where things get complicated. He’s a philanderer who's fathered many children that he’s had yet to acknowledge, and any of them could stake a claim to his fortune. He has no boundaries when it comes to intimacy, even with family members, like his adopted daughter, who he’s having an affair with.

The narrative is so complex that it can be overwhelming to keep track of all its elements. The opening setup does a superb job establishing all the players and there are a few well-placed surprises along the way that ensure no one can guess where things will end. Another strength of the narrative is how well it builds momentum.

Outside of the slaughterhouse moments, VD is not really a visually striking film; instead, it is a film that lets its characters take center stage. When it comes to the performances, the cast are excellent in their roles, especially Kees Brusse’s portrayal of Cornelis van Doorn. He delivers a pitch-perfect performance of a self-absorbed narcissist who acts more like a teenager than an adult. Another performance of note is Andrea Domburg’s portrayal of Anneke, Cornelis’ wife. Ultimately, VD is a riveting film about a dysfunctional family that effectively blends melodrama and subversive humor.

VD gets a solid release from Cult Epics that comes with a strong audio/video presentation, a short film, and an informative audio commentary. Highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer