Blu-ray Review: DER TODESKING (1990)

DER TODESKING
Written & Directed by Jörg Buttgereit
Distributed by Cult Epics / CAV Distributing

  If you are familiar with the films of Jorg Buttgereit, you will know what you are in for when you go into your first viewing of DER TODESKING (The Death King).  Buttgereit is the mastermind behind the cult films, NEKROMANTIK and NEKROMANTIK 2.   With DER TODESKING, Buttgereit has once again given us a very powerful film.  His films are shocking to say the least, but you can't help but want to watch.   As vile and disgusting as the subject matter and scenes might be, Buttgereit somehow manages to find beauty in them at the same time.  Here is the basic plot of DER TODESKING from Cult Epics:

Cult Epics presents the third release in the series Corpse F##king Art; Jorg Buttgereit’s powerful masterpiece Der Todesking (aka The Death King), made in-between Nekromantik (1987) and Nekromantik 2 (1991). Seven stories on Death and Suicide, each taking place on a different day of the week, enframed by the decomposition of a human body. Warning: extremely graphic.

 That's it...pretty basic.  This film focuses on death, both murders and suicides.  While hard to watch, it's even harder to turn away.    I love Buttgereit's film style with his great camera angles and choice of music. This film was a little different than his others in that it is basically 7 scenes, each for a day of the week, put together to form the film.  Each day focuses on a different set of characters and situations, all resulting in death in some manner.  In between each day we get a scene of a decaying corpse, that gets progressively worse during each of the 7 days.  Again, the film can be hard to watch, as death is something that most people are not comfortable with.  Death is just as much a part of life as life itself is, so it is not something we should shy away from when it comes to a film's subject matter.  I can understand, though, how some people might find this film disturbing, so watch at your own risk.

DER TODESKING is available now on limited edition DVD and Blu-ray from Cult Epics and
contains the following special features:

* New Director’s Approved HD transfer (taken from the original 16mm negative)
* New Introduction by Jorg Buttgereit (2015)
* Audio Commentary by Jorg Buttgereit and co-author Franz Rodenkirchen
* The Making of Der Todesking
* Still Photo Gallery
* JB HD Trailers
* Corpse F##king Art (Documentary) 1983, 60 Minutes, HD transfer
* Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
* The first 3000 Blu-ray copies include Collectible Artwork
* 25th Anniversary (Silver embossed) Slipcover and Corpse F##king Art Postcard


CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray / DVD

 

 

 

 

Blu-ray Review: NEKROMANTIK

NEKROMANTIK
Written & Directed by Jörg Buttgereit
Distributed by Cult Epics / CAV Distributing

  Most hardcore horror fans are pretty familiar with the NEKROMANTIK films.  They have long been out of print and a treasure for DVD collectors to get their hands on.  Well now everyone can get their hands on a copy thanks to Cult Epics which has recently released this landmark film on a new Special Edition DVD and Blu-ray!

For those unfamiliar with the film, here is the basic plot synopsis from the Cult Epics website:

Nekromantik tells the story of Rob (Daktari Lorenz) who works at a street-cleaning Agency, and visits roadside accidents to clean up the scene. Incidentally Rob collects the body parts and shares them with his girlfriend Betty (Beatrice M.) When Rob presents a complete corpse taken out of a swamp, their undying love reaches its peak, but soon after Betty gets a more liking towards the corpse and leaves Rob, which takes him to the sick end of his destruction.

  I hate to admit it, but I can't help but like this movie.  While the a movie about necrophilia shouldn't be something I like, I tend to like any film these days that can truly shock me.   I had never seen this film before this new release.  I can't imagine what audiences thought back in the 80's when this film was first released. It is still shocking today as it was back then, and that to me is a good thing.  I love a movie that can actually effect me to where  I am still thinking about it days after watching it.  This film did that.    While the story and subject matter is very gross, there is some truly amazing gore in this film, including a woman cut in half after a car accident which still looked way too real to me! 

  Also on this new release is one of Jorg Buttgereit's early short films, HOT LOVE.  This 40 minute short film is an awesome addition to this release.  This is a gore filled romp in the same vein as NEKROMANTIK.  Here is the plot synopsis of HOT LOVE from the director's personal website:

Daktari Lorenz falls in eternal, blissfull love with Marion (Marion Koob) at a party. He is in heaven... but soon she dumps him and moves in with a tall, blond new lover (Jörg Buttgereit himself). Daktari vows bitter revenge. He rapes the girl thus creating a monster baby that will show Marion what “Present Me with Your Heart” literally means. Dark, brooding and violent, this movie, made in 1985, set the tone for NEKROMANTIK.

NEKROMANTIK is available now from Cult Epics in a 2-Disc Special Edition DVD or on Blu-ray, and contains the following special features:

• New Director’s approved HD transfer (taken from the original Super 8mm negative)
• New Grindhouse HD version (taken from the Theatrical 35mm print)
• Introduction by Jorg Buttgereit (2013)
• Q&A with Jorg Buttgereit at the American Cinematheque (2013)
• Never Before released short film Hot Love (1985) in HD
• Hot Love Audio Commentary & Featurette
• Audio Commentary by Jorg Buttgereit and co-author Franz Rodenkirchen
• The Making of Nekromantik
• Nekromantik Featurette
• Still Photo Gallery
• JB Trailers
• Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD
CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray