Doctor Butcher M.D. (a.k.a. Zombie Holocaust)
Company: Severin Films
Starring: Ian McCulloch, Alexandra Delli Colli, Sherry
Buchanan, Peter O'Neal, Donald O'Brien, Dakar, Walter Patriarca
My Review and Thoughts:
First and foremost, I have to mention the company Severin
Films. They bring out such amazing high quality Blu-ray’s. Jam packed with
special features and total Fan base perfection. Doctor Butcher is no different.
I was super excited to finally see the film in two different ways’. The total
grindhouse experience. The original Zombie Holocaust and then the edited and
rearranged American Version Doctor Butcher M.D. I grew up with Zombie Holocaust and it’s was during those day's with the 1980 craze of Zombie gore that ran wild in the 70’s and 80’s.
One was always trying to outdo the other. There are so many example's of the zombie
films of the 70’s and 80’s but very few really stand out and are worthy to
remember. I think Zombie Holocaust is worthy because of all its craziness and
twist and turns that was done to the film, being edited, changed, altered
and basically turned into two different films.
Severin Films has honored this 80’s Grindhouse treat with a
lovely two disc Blu-ray. Now you the fan can adventure into which one you want
to watch. Feeling like the original Zombie Holocaust, pop it in, feeling a
little weird pop in the American rearranged version Doctor Butcher M.D. This
Blu-ray production is a total treat filled with special features and totally
uncut perfection.
If you’re an Italian Gore Hound, then in my viewpoint this
is a must see Zombie Film. Zombie Holocaust yes uses all the clichés and basic
stuff you would expect, but it also is one of those of an era that can’t be
forgotten.
Starring one of my all-time favorite Horror Icons. The one
and only master of European horror roles Ian McCulloch. If there is one actor
that has garnered a fan base of Cult style entertainment it is Ian. All one has
to look at is his ultimate career. For in my viewpoint the greatest Zombie film
ever Fulci’s gory masterpiece of grindhouse perfection the one and only 1979’s
Zombi 2. Who can forget the alien egg invasion classic Grindhouse cheesiest
1980’s Contamination. Ian was pure Cult actor. It’s always a total treat to see
him once again.
Now for the American version, Doctor Butcher M.D. the one
and only Donald O’Brien was added. O’Brien is a total bad ass star of many Cult
style films, mainly the Spaghetti Westerns that was all the craze in the 60’s
and 70’s. He starred in such greats like 1975’s Four of the Apocalypse, 1976’s
Keoma, 1977’s Mannaja, just to name a few. He was a master in the grindhouse
style of films. He shinned in many memorable rolls, and his part in Zombie
Holocaust a.k.a. Doctor Butcher is a prime example of one of those roles you
will remember after seeing it.
This version being brought out by Severin is so important
because it’s Uncut, unedited and brought out the way it was meant to be seen.
It’s fully restored which is a total bonus for any fan, or lover of this style of
entertainment. It gets no better when a company knows what fans want, and need
for their collection, and Severin Films is that company that knows what fans
want, and this production of this Blu-ray is a golden ticket of perfection. You
get 2 Disc, the Zombie Holocaust Version and the Doctor Butcher M.D. version.
Double the dose of blood, gore and scalp removing, vocal cord cutting and all
the bloody mayhem that made grindhouse films, Cult status perfection.
Directed by Marino Girolami who was a cult Italian film
director. In honesty he was so much more than just another cult film maker. He
had started making films in 1943 and did so all the way up to 1992. He left a
vast array of Italian Films on many different subjects from comedy, action,
crime, drama. Cult fans will always know him for his darker, films. But one
thing I can guarantee you is that his films will always be remembered. He left
a lasting legacy for all the Cult film lovers who continue to watch his films
today.
I also have to mention the master behind the music. The one
and only Nico Fidenco. Many fans of Cult films might not realize the importance
this music man had on the world of Grindhouse entertainment. He was a part of
so many Cult style films. His music always stood out and gave a total clarity
of just what you were watching. From Spaghetti Westerns like 1973’s Those Dirty
Dogs, to six of the long running Emanuelle series of the 1970’s. From 1975’s
Black Emanuelle, to 1977’s Emanuelle and the Last Cannibals. To dare I admit
one of my personal over the top, wild, asinine, cheesy film favorites, 1981’s Porno
Holocaust (Just because it's so dam weird). Nico was a god of his style of music and these films shine with that
reality, and Zombie Holocaust is a prime example of his mastery.
I think what is so funny about the production of this film
is all the changing and editing and chopping and rearranging that took place
with this film. The U.S. as we know changed it to Doctor Butcher M.D. This
version added a little over 2 minutes of a film that was not finished called
Tales to Rip Your Heart Out, and plus adding a new music score. There were many
other shots edited and pieced together. Thankfully Severin Films has brought to
life both versions, fully restored and totally uncut, which makes this worthy to
own for any fan of this wonderful gory entertainment.
Extras:
This production is packed with awesome, amazing special
features. Both disc have special features. Both are unbelievable in the special
feature department.
On Disc One you get: DOCTOR BUTCHER MD
Featurette: Butchery & Ballyhoo: Interview with Aquarius
Releasing's Terry Levine (31:36)
Featurette: Down On the Deuce: Nostalgic Tour of 42nd Street
with Temple of Shock's Chris Poggiali and Filmmaker Roy Frumkes (21:55)
Roy Frumkes' Segment of Unfinished Anthology Film 'Tales
That Will Tear Your Heart Out' (8:08)
Featurette: The Butcher Mobile: Interview with Gore Gazette
Editor & Butcher Mobile Barker Rick Sullivan (12:33)
Featurette: Cutting Doctor Butcher: Interview with Editor
Jim Markovic (10:12)
Illustrated Essay: Experiments with A Male Caucasian Brain
(...and other memories of 42nd Street) by Gary Hertz
Theatrical Trailer (2:44)
Video Release Trailer 1 (1:14)
Video Release Trailer 2 (0:56)
Disc Two Special Features:
ZOMBIE HOLOCAUST
Featurette: Voodoo Man: Interview with Star Ian McCulloch
(8:14)
Featurette: Blood of The Zombies: Interview with FX Master
Rosario Prestopino (23:03)
Featurette: Filmmaker Enzo Castellari Remembers His Father
Director Marino Girolami (7:46)
Featurette: Sherry Holocaust: Interview with Actress Sherryl
Buchanan (24:04)
Featurette: Neurosurgery Italian Style -Interview with FX
Artist Maurizio Trani (4:36)
Featurette: New York Filming Locations Then Vs. Now. A look
at the Big Apple locales as they are today (3:03)
Audio Bonus: Ian McCulloch Sings Down by The River (2:40)
International Trailer (4:16)
German Trailer (3:17)
Overall:
I can’t stop praising this release. Severin did a fantastic
job in giving a perfection in Cult Entertainment. I have a feeling that this
will be mentioned in one of my segments for Top 2016 releases. It looks
fantastic. All the added features are truly brilliant. The packaging needs mentioning.
Standard Two Disc Blu-ray holder with reversible, wrap around artwork, so you
can switch it to Zombie Holocaust or Doctor Butcher. Also each Blu-ray Disc has
the beautiful artwork on it. The first 5,000 Copies comes with a Barf Bag, yes
you read that right, and that’s pure perfection in advertisement. I highly
recommended this Blu-ray.
To me it’s a must own Cult film that has never looked
or been treated better than this ultimate version by Severin. What are you
waiting for? Buy this classic Cult, Grindhouse gore fest. This is totally Perfecting the Blu-ray experience.
