Vacation of Terror and Vacation of Terror II: Diabolical Birthday – Vinegar Syndrome (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Dates: Mexico, 1989 (Vacation of Terror), Mexico, 1991 (Vacation of Terror II: Diabolical Birthday)
Directors: René Cardona III (Vacation of Terror I), Pedro Galindo III (Vacation of Terror II: Diabolical Birthday)
Cast: Pedro Fernández, Julio Alemán, Gabriela Hassel, Nuria Bages, Carlos East, Gianella Hassel Kus, Carlos East Jr., Ernesto East (Vacation of Terror), Pedro Fernández, Joaquín Cordero, Tatiana, Luis Camarena, Renata del Río, Alfredo Gutiérrez, Ernesto Carregha, Ernesto Casillas, Juana Bocanegra (Vacation of Terror II: Diabolical Birthday)

Release Date: April 25th, 2023
Approximate Running Times: 81 Minutes 3 Seconds (Vacation of Terror), 85 Minutes 57 Seconds (Vacation of Terror II: Diabolical Birthday)
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC (Both Films)
Rating: NR
Sound: DTS-HD Mono Spanish (Both Films)
Subtitles: English (Both Films)
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $42.98

"After inheriting a new summer home from a deceased relative, wealthy Fernando brings his family, his niece Paulina (Gabriela Hassel, Don't Panic) and her boyfriend, Julio (Pedro Fernández, Hell's Trap), who happens to be an occult expert along for the vacation. Quickly they discover strange happenings on the property, but when Fernando's young daughter Gaby falls into a well and returns with an old doll, things take a turn for the horrific. Possessed by the evil spirit of a witch, Gaby and her doll run amok, with telekinesis, terrifying hallucinations, fiery car crashes, and ample scares. Only Julio with his knowledge of the dark arts, and the help of a mystical amulet, can bring this Vacation of Terror to an end!

Julio (Pedro Fernández) is back, quietly running an antique shop when a chance encounter with singer Mayra (Mexican pop icon Tatiana) and her younger sister Tanya, brings him face to face with the evil doll and the nightmare begins again! Racing to a birthday party for the young Tanya, who is now under the doll's spell, Julio arrives in time to witness the carnage begin, but will he be able to stop it again?" - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.5/5 (Vacation of Terror), 4/5 (Vacation of Terror II: Diabolical Birthday)

Here’s the information provided about the transfers, "Newly scanned & restored in 4K from its 35mm original camera negative (Vacation of Terror) and a 35mm archival positive (Vacation of Terror II: Diabolical Birthday)."

Vacation of Terror and Vacation of Terror II: Diabolical Birthday come on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 46 GB

Feature: 19.6 GB (Vacation of Terror), 20.8 GB (Vacation of Terror II: Diabolical Birthday)

The source for Vacation of Terror looks excellent. Colors are nicely saturated; image clarity, black levels, and compression are solid; and grain remains intact.

The source used for Vacation of Terror II: Diabolical Birthday is in great shape. Though there are some source imperfections, they are minimal and not intrusive. Colors and flesh tones look correct; image clarity and black levels are strong; compression is solid; and grain remains intact.

Audio: 4.25/5 (DTS-HD Mono Spanish - Vacation of Terror, DTS-HD Mono Spanish - Vacation of Terror II: Diabolical Birthday)

Both films have one audio option, a DTS-HD mono mx in Spanish, and included are removable English subtitles for both films. Both audio tracks sound clean, clear, and balanced. Range-wise, both audio tracks sound very good.

Extras:

Extras for this release include an interview with Gianella Hassel and Gabriela Hassel titled Actors in Vacation of Terror (11 minutes 36 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Spanish with non-removable English subtitles), an interview with Eugenio Castillo titled Composer of Vacation of Terror (9 minutes 49 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Spanish with non-removable English subtitles), an interview with Carlos East Jr. and Ernesto East titled Actors in Vacation of Terror (18 minutes 55 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Spanish with non-removable English subtitles), an interview with Jorge Farfán titled special effects artist on Vacation of Terror (12 minutes 56 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Spanish with non-removable English subtitles), reversible cover art, and an embossed and spot gloss slipcover limited to 6,000 units.

Summary:

Vacation of Terror: A family goes on vacation at a decrepit summer home that was inherited from a deceased relative. From there, a series of strange things happen, and things take a turn for the worse when a young girl finds a creepy doll with demonic powers.

Vacation of Terror takes a few horror genre staples—an old, dark house, a demonic doll, and a creepy kid—and mixes them into a melting pot of a film where things don’t often come together as well as they should. It is almost like everything was built around the jump scares, which unfortunately are not very effective.

From its opening moments, Vacation of Terror struggles to establish any momentum. That said, Vacation of Terror is a film that relies heavily on atmosphere; unfortunately, its slow-moving narrative does not do it any favors. Other shortcomings include wooden performances and an all-too predictable circular ending. Ultimately, Vacation of Terror is a poorly executed horror film that most viewers will find a chore to get through.

Vacation of Terror II: Diabolical Birthday: A birthday party at a movie studio turns deadly when a doll is transformed into a demonic entity that wreaks havoc.

Though Vacation of Terror II: Diabolical Birthday is essentially a rehash of Vacation of Terror, the two films are like night and day. Where Vacation of Terror is dull and, by the numbers, horror, Vacation of Terror II: Diabolical Birthday is actually a lot of fun.

Areas where Vacation of Terror II: Diabolical Birthday fares better than Vacation of Terror include a better-paced narrative and more effective jump scares, and the special effects are noticeably stronger. That said, where Vacation of Terror was all about atmosphere, the special effects take center stage in Vacation of Terror II: Diabolical Birthday. Another area where the two films differ is in their scores. Where Vacation of Terror’s score was menacing, Vacation of Terror II: Diabolical Birthday features an upbeat score that includes a song by the lead actress. Ultimately, Vacation of Terror II: Diabolical Birthday is a highly entertaining film that fans of slasher films should enjoy.

Vacation of Terror and Vacation of Terror II: Diabolical Birthday get a solid release from Vinegar Syndrome.

Written by Michael Den Boer

The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh: Limited Edition - Severin Films (Blu-ray/CD Combo)

Theatrical Release Date: Italy, 1971
Director: Sergio Martino
Writers: Ernesto Gastaldi, Vittorio Caronia
Cast: Edwige Fenech, George Hilton, Conchita Airoldi, Ivan Rassimov, Alberto de Mendoza

Release Date: June 2nd, 2020
Approximate running time: 100 Minutes 22 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: NR
Sound: DTS-HD Mono Italian, DTS-HD Mono English
Subtitles: English, English SDH
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $34.98

"an unfaithful diplomat’s wife who finds herself hunted by a razor-wielding sex maniac while simultaneously haunted by her own depraved desires.” – Synopsis provided by the Distributor

Video: 3.5/5

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, “newly scanned in 4k from the internegative.”

The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 45.5 GB

Feature: 28.5 GB

Though the source of this transfer is in great shape, print-related debris is minimal. The result is an underwhelming transfer that looks soft; most notably, during many of the darker scenes, the image looks murky, and when compared to Shameless Films’ Blu-ray and FilmArt’s Blu-ray, this release from Severin Films has noticeable cropping. That said, there are some moments when image clarity looks very good. It should be noted that Severin’s release presents the Sigmund Freud quote properly instead of using Shameless Films digitally recreated version of this quote.

Audio: 4.25/5 (DTS-HD Mono Italian, DTS-HD Mono English)

This release comes with two audio options, a DTS-HD mono mix in English and a DTS-HD mono mix in Italian. Both audio mixes are in great shape; dialog comes through clearly; everything sounds balanced; and range-wise, the score is well-represented. Included with this release are removable English SDH subtitles for the English language track and English subtitles for the Italian language track.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a theatrical trailer (3 minutes 1 seconds, Dolby Digital mono Italian with removable English subtitles), an introduction by actor George Hilton (24 seconds,  Dolby Digital stereo Italian with removable English subtitles), an archival interview with actress Edwige Fenech titled The No Shame Files (23 minutes 43 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Italian with non-removable English subtitles), an interview with George Hilton and Italian genre historian Antonio Bruschini titled Vienna Vice (19 minutes 1 second, Dolby Digital stereo Italian with removable English subtitles), an interview screenwriter Ernesto Gastaldi titled Cold as Ice (22 minutes, Dolby Digital stereo Italian with removable English subtitles), an interview with director Sergio Martino titled Of Vice and Virtue (43 minutes 21 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Italian with removable English subtitles), an audio commentary with Kat Ellinger, author of All The Colors of Sergio Martino, a CD (limited to 3000 units) that contains Nora Orlandi’s score for The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh, and a cardboard insert that has information about the thirty-one tracks.

Summary:

The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh marked Sergio Martino’s first foray into the giallo genre. And the end result is a key film that would help set the tone for other giallo’s that followed. The thing that immediately draws you in while watching The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh is how polished Sergio Martino’s direction is at this point in his career. And nowhere is this more evident than when it comes to his fluid camera movements and how his compositions exploit every inch of the frame.

Casting-wise, The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh has a few notable Euro-Cult regulars that include Conchita Airoldi (Torso), Alberto de Mendoza (The Case of the Scorpion’s Tail), and Ivan Rassimov (Your Vice is a Closed Room and Only I Have the Key). The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh would mark the first pairing of its two leads, George Hilton and Edwige Fenech. The two would collaborate on two other gialloes, The Case of the Bloody Iris and All the Colors of the Dark. Their chemistry is undeniable. Edwige Fenech is a classic Euro beauty, and Sergio Martino exploits her ample talents to their fullest. Ivan Rassimov is perfectly cast as the sadistic ex-lover. There is something wicked about his devilish grin and icy cold stare.

The story has so many plot twists and red herrings that character development is all but nonexistent. There is very little to find redeeming about any of the characters in The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh, and the outcome is bleak for most of the characters. The use of flashback sequences is skillfully employed several times during the film. And these moments give us, the viewer, more background on Julie’s relationship with Jean. These segments are beautifully crafted and heavily stylized, to the point where one wonders if they are real or a dream.

Nora Orlandi’s haunting score and Vienna’s baroque architecture help heighten the film's gothic and, at times, surreal look. The music Nora Orlandi used during the flashback sequences would find its way into Quentin Tarantino’s film Kill Bill Volume 2. Carol’s death, which takes place in a park at dusk, showcases Sergio Martino’s expertise at crafting horrific and sadistic imagery. Another wonderfully executed scene is the death scene that takes place in the shower. The special effects are extremely effective, and their realism further drives home the film’s De Sade approach to sadism. Ultimately, The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh is Sergio Martino's crowning achievement as a filmmaker.

Severin Films has done a superb job putting together an extensive amount of insightful extras. Unfortunately, their Blu-ray release comes up short because of a lackluster transfer that leaves a lot of room for improvement.

Written by Michael Den Boer

All the Colors of the Dark - Severin Films (Blu-ray/CD Combo)

Theatrical Release Date: Italy, 1972
Director: Sergio Martino
Writers: Santiago Moncada, Ernesto Gastaldi, Sauro Scavolini
Cast: Edwige Fenech, George Hilton, Nieves Navarro, Ivan Rassimov

Release Date: January 29th, 2019
Approximate running time: 94 Minutes 41 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: NR
Sound: DTS-HD Mono Italian, DTS-HD Mono English
Subtitles: English, English SDH
Region Coding: Region A
Retail Price: $34.98

"The luscious Edwige Fenech (Strip Nude for Your Killer) gives the performance of her career as a woman tormented by visions of Satanic violence, hallucinatory horror and psychosexual insanity.” – Synopsis provided by the Distributor

Video: 4.25/5

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, “a new 4k scan from the original negative.”

All the Colors of the Dark comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 44.2 GB

Feature: 26.1 GB

The source used for this transfer is in excellent shape. Colors are nicely saturated, image clarity and black levels are strong, compression is very good, and the image retains an organic look. When compared to previous Blu-ray releases for this film, this new transfer is by far and away the best this film has looked to date on home video.

Audio: 4.25/5 (DTS-HD Mono Italian, DTS-HD Mono English)

This release comes with two audio options, a DTS-HD mono mix in Italian and a DTS-HD mono mix in English. Both audio mixes are in great shape. Both audio mixes are in good shape. There are no issues with distortion or background hiss; the dialog comes through clearly, and everything sounds balanced. Range-wise, this audio mix sounds robust when it needs to, and the ambient sounds are well-represented. This release comes with two subtitle options: English subtitles for the Italian language track and English SDH subtitles for the English language track.

Extras:

Extras for this release include an English language theatrical trailer under the title All the Colors of the Dark (3 minutes 2 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), an English language theatrical trailer under the title They’re Coming to Get You (2 minutes 40 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), a T.V. spot under the title They’re Coming to Get You (32 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), an interview with actor George Hilton and Italian horror expert Antonio Tentori tilted Giallo is the Color (31 minutes 57 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Italian with non-removable English subtitles), an interview with screenwriter Ernesto Gastaldii titled Last of The Mohicans (18 minutes 12 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Italian with non-removable English subtitles), an interview with director Sergio Martino titled Color My Nightmare (40 minutes 16 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Italian with non-removable English subtitles), an audio Commentary with Kat Ellinger, author of All the Colors of Sergio Martino. the alternate U.S. version of the film They’re Coming to Get You (87 minutes 18 seconds, 1.78:1 aspect ratio, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), a CD that contains Bruno Nicolai’s score for All the Colors of the Dark, and a cardboard insert that has information about the twenty-nine tracks.

Summary:

Where most of his contemporaries worked in the giallo genre, the content stuck to the formula that had been laid out by films like Blood and Black Lace and The Bird with the Crystal Plumage. Sergio Martino was always looking to expand his horizons as a filmmaker. And nowhere is this more clear than in how diverse his six Giallo paintings from the 1970s are.

The screenplay for All the Colors of the Dark was written by Ernesto Gastaldi, a frequent collaborator of Sergio Martino. Ernesto Gastaldi would write or co-write the six giallo films that Sergio Martino directed in the 1970s. Other notable giallo’s also written by Ernesto Gastaldi include Death Walks at Midnight, Death Walks on High Heels, Forbidden Photos of a Lady Above Suspicion, and The Case of the Bloody Iris.

The score for All the Colors of the Dark was composed by Bruno Nicolai (a frequent collaborator of Ennio Morricone). His seductive score for All the Colors of the Dark is a key element of the film’s atmosphere, and a lesser score would definitely lessen the film’s overall impact.

Content-wise, All the Colors of the Dark is a satisfying mix of the supernatural and elements that have become synonymous with the giallo. The premise was inspired by Rosemary’s Baby, and the well-executed narrative does a superb job building tension. And from the opening dream sequence to the film’s eerie last image, Sergio Martino delivers what is arguably his most inspired film visually.

Performance wise, the cast is all very good in their respective roles, especially Edwige Fenech (The Case of the Bloody Iris) in the role of Jane Harrison, a woman whose inability to overcome a trauma from her past is causing her mental state to deteriorate. Edwige Fenech has plenty of screen time, and she never looked better than in All the Colors of the Dark.

Another performance of note includes Nieves Navarro (Emanuelle and the Last Cannibals) in the role of Jane’s sister Barbara. She delivers one of her best performances, portraying a character that is in contrast to the type of character she usually portrays. Other notable cast members include George Hilton (My Dear Killer) in the role of Jane’s boyfriend and Ivan Rassimov (Spasmo) in the role of a sinister stranger who stalks Jane. Ultimately, All the Colors of the Dark is one of the most entertaining gialli you’ll ever see.

Severin Films gives All the Colors of the Dark its best home video release to date; highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

The Case of the Bloody Iris - Shameless Films (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Italy, 1972
Director: Giuliano Carnimeo
Writer: Ernesto Gastaldi
Cast: Edwige Fenech, George Hilton, Annabella Incontrera, Paola Quattrini

Release Date: November 19th, 2018
Approximate running time: 94 Minutes 43 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: 18 (UK)
Sound: LPCM Mono Italian, LPCM Mono English
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region B
Retail Price: £12.99 (UK)

"After two beautiful women are murdered in an apartment block, Jennifer (Edwige Fenech) and Marilyn (Paola Quattrini) move into the flat of one of the slaughtered girls. But before long, the unknown predatory pervert turns his salacious attentions to the gorgeous Jennifer. The list of suspects includes a woman and her deformed son, a crazy lesbian and even Jennifer s own lover.” – Synopsis provided by the Distributor

Video: 3.5/5

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, “A new 2K scan with extensive restoration made for Shameless.”

The Case of the Bloody Iris comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 32.7 GB

Feature: 23.2 GB

Though the source that’s been used for this transfer is in very good shape, This transfer exhibits compression artifacts, scanner noise, and some digital sharpening. Colors look correct, black levels fare well, and details generally look crisp.

Audio: 4.25/5 (LPCM Mono Italian, LPCM Mono English)

This release comes with two audio options, a LPCM mono mix in English and a LPCM mono mix in Italian. Both audio mixes are in good shape; the dialog comes through clearly, everything sounds balanced, and Bruno Nicolai’s score sounds appropriately robust. Included with this release are removable English subtitles for the Italian language track.

Extras:

Extras for this release include reversible cover art, an interview with actor George Hilton titled Flowers of Blood (20 minutes 43 seconds, LPCM stereo Italian with removable English subtitles) and an interview with actress Paola Quattrini titled Marilyn (11 minutes 51 seconds, LPCM stereo Italian with removable English subtitles).

Other extras include trailers for All the Colors of the Dark and Strip Naked for Your Killer.

Summary:

Though most directors working in Italian cinema in the 1960s and 1970s would move to whatever genre was popular at the moment, There were a handful of directors like Giuliano Carnimeo who worked primarily in one genre. After directing ten spaghetti westerns, he would finally branch out into another genre. And in 1972, he would make his only foray into the giallo genre with The Case of the Blood Iris.

That said, despite this being his only giallo, he does a remarkable job exploiting all the key elements that have become synonymous with the genre. The Case of the Bloody Iris is a stylish film, and the visuals don’t waste a moment showcasing its female cast members ample assets. Another area where The Case of the Bloody Iris excels is in its ability to create tense moments. And nowhere is this more clear than when it comes to the murder set pieces.

Without a doubt, The Case of the Bloody Iris’s greatest asset is Edwige Fenech in the role of its protagonist, a model named Jennifer Lansbury. By the time of The Case of the Bloody Iris, she had already established herself as Gaillotine cinema's foremost heroine. And once again, she does not disappoint as she delivers a very satisfying performance.

Another performance of note is George Hilton (The Case of the Scorpion’s Tail) in the role of a suave playboy named Andrea Antinori, who falls in love with Jennifer. His onscreen chemistry is a tremendous asset to the film.

Other notable cast members include Oreste Lionello (Four Flies on Grey Velvet) in the role of a gay photographer named Arthur, Annabella Incontrera (Black Belly of the Tarantula), a lesbian neighbor named Shelia, and Paola Quattrini (Hercules) in the role of Jennifer’s roommate, a model named Marilyn Ricci.

The Case of the Bloody Iris, or the Italian title, Perché quelle strane gocce di sangue sul corpo di Jennifer? "What Are Those Strange Drops of Blood Doing on Jennifer’s Body?" is one of giallo cinema’s longest and most bizarre titles. And though The Case of Bloody Iris is a by-the-numbers film that brings nothing new to the table, The result is a highly entertaining film that ultimately succeeds because of its breezy tone.

The Case of the Bloody Iris gets a good release from Shameless Films that comes with two informative interviews, but unfortunately the transfer leaves plenty of room for improvement.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Naked Killer – Hong Kong Legends (DVD)

Theatrical Release Date: Hong Kong, 1992
Director: Clarence Ford (Clarence Fok)
Writer: Wong Jing
Cast: Chingmy Yau, Simon Yam, Carrie Ng, Madoka Sugawara, Yiu Wai, Hui Siu-Hung, Ken Lo

Release Date: 2002
Approximate Running Time: 93 Minutes
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
Rating: 18 (UK)
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 Cantonese, Dolby Digital 5.1 English
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region 2 PAL
Retail Price: OOP

"A supercharged erotic action-adventure combining elements of 'Nikita' and 'Basic Instinct', 'Naked Killer' unfolds the twilight existence of a super-sexy female assassin, who falls victim to a lethal vendetta at the hands of a rival and her lesbian lover." – Synopsis provided by the Distributor

Video: 3.5/5

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, "Digitally re-mastered and restored DVD transfer."

Naked Killer comes of a dual layer DVD.

Disc Size: 6.8 GB

Obviously dated by today's standards, this transfer holds up better than expected. The source used is in great shape; there are no signs of source imperfections. Colors are nicely saturated and at times vivid; flesh tones look correct; the image looks crisp; black levels are strong; and compression is very good for a DVD.

Audio: 3.5/5 (Dolby Digital 5.1 Cantonese, Dolby Digital 5.1 English)

This release comes with two audio options, a Dolby Digital 5.1 mix in Cantonese and a Dolby Digital 5.1 mix in English. Both audio mixes sound clean, clear, balanced, and robust when they should. Included are removable English subtitles for the Cantonese language track.

Extras:

Extras for this release include Hong Kong theatrical trailer (2 minutes 18 seconds, Dolby Digital mono Cantonese with removable English subtitles), UK promotional trailer (1 minute 46 seconds, Dolby Digital mono with English text, no subtitles), an interview with director Clarence Ford (24 minutes 45 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with producer Wong Jing (15 minutes 54 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with actor Simon Yam (20 minutes 31 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), a text based extra about actress Chingmy Yau titled Chingmy Yau Uncovered, an audio commentary with Clarence Ford and moderated by Jude Poyer, and trailers for other films released by Hong Kong Legends.

Summary:

The creative talent behind Naked Killer is director Clarence Ford (The Iceman Cometh) and prolific producer Wong Jing, whose films best fit into exploitation cinema. Wong Jing also wrote Naked Killer’s screenplay, which was clearly influenced by films like Basic Instinct and La Femme Nikita.

The narrative revolves around a detective who still has not gotten over the death of his partner due to his own recklessness. One day his paths cross with a young woman who has a valiant streak, and from there they quickly form a bond. Their happiness is short-lived when she is forced to change her identity and becomes an assassin.

Naked Killer is a textbook example of what is known as Cat III cinema. These were Hong Kong films that pushed the limits when it came to sex and violence. Some of the choice moments in Naked Killer include mutilating genitals, gratuitous softcore with ample nudity, and a scene where it is suggested that a detective accidentally ate a victim's missing penis, thinking it was a sausage.

When discussing Naked Killer, it is hard to look past its leading lady, Chingmy Yau. She was a former Miss Hong Kong contestant who was a protégé of prolific director and producer Wong Jing; she rose to prominence as he cast her in a string of roles, including the cult classic Naked Killer. Most of her early work consisted of her playing good girls in romantic comedies. She would heat up the screen with sexuality in every film she appeared in, and she would work with many of Hong Kong’s biggest stars, including Jackie Chan and Jet Li. Despite her attempts to diversify herself as an actress, she would be remembered for the exploitation films like Naked Killer that she appeared in. She married a Hong Kong businessman and has since retired from the film industry. She may never make a film again, but she will not be easily forgotten.

The rest of the cast are very good in their roles, especially Simon Yam (Full Contact) in the role of a detective named Tinam, who has a Vertigo-like sickness that causes him to vomit whenever he has to use his gun. Another performance of note is Carrie Ng (Sex and Zen) in the role of a lesbian assassin named Princess, who mutilates all of her victims genitalia.

Though there is a disregard for narrative structure, this is easy to overlook since there is an ample amount of sleaze and graphic carnage. Other strengths are the stylish cinematography, which gives Naked Killer a more polished look than most Cat III films, and the delirious dialog that is unintentionally humorous. Ultimately, Naked Killer may never win any awards for acting. Still, it is a thrill ride full of breathtaking action, brutal violence, and beautiful women who will kill you as quick as they turn you on.

Hong Kong Legends was, for their time, the premier label when it came to Hong Kong cinema. And though many of the films that they released have since made their way to Blu-ray via solid releases, Naked Killer is one film that is still MIA on Blu-ray.

Written by Michael Den Boer