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Return of the Evil Dead (The) AKA El Ataque De Los Muertos Sin Ojos AKA Return of the Blind Dead (1973)
Have they heard your heart beating?Director: Amando De Ossorio
Year of Copyright: 1973
OVERALL: Draw-
OVERALL: Draw
R1 "The Blind Dead Collection" offers both versions of the movie in the original 1.66:1 aspect ratio with Anamorphic transfers, with their original Spanish and English Mono soundtracks, English subtitles when needed and significant extras on the bonus disc.
The Austrian release includes three cuts of the film (but not all are English-friendly).
R2 UK "The Blind Dead Collection" has additional Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS 5.1 tracks, but it is missing on the US version of the film.
Note that some German FSK 16 releases are available, but not currently listed in the comparison, they should be avoided as they offer an even more cut version of the film.
Also note that the XT Video boxset seems to offer the film in 1.85:1 instead of the original 1.66:1.
A comparison between the original Spanish version and the shorter US version is available on Schnittberichte.
A comparison between the shorter US version and the even shorter German FSK16 version is also available on Schnittberichte.
GENERAL NOTES:
There are three primary versions:
- the Spanish domestic cut (~91 minutes NTSC/ ~87 minutes PAL) lacking onscreen gore and nudity but including a scene in which the resurrection of the Blind Dead is motivated by the hunchback's sacrifice of a local girl;
- an integral cut (~92 minutes NTSC/~88 minutes PAL) including the gore, nudity, and scenes specific to the Spanish version (this was the version submitted to international rights rights owner Atlas Internatioanl to tailor to different markets);
- the export version (~88 minutes NTSC/~85 minutes PAL) in which the Templar sacrifice was moved to the start of the film - creating a continuity error with the pre-credits sequence of the villagers blinding the knights and some shots from that sequence in the flashback - and missing the hunchback's sacrifice of the local girl.
This film is also known as:
- "Attack of the Blind Dead"
- "Mark of the Devil 5: Return of the Blind Dead" -
CUTS:
- R0 Double Feature America- Anchor Bay Entertainment - No cuts. US Version (87:03 NTSC)
- R0 Uncut Version Limited Edition Germany- Laser Paradise - Yes. It has been reported that it is not completely the original Spanish version, but the nature of the alterations is currently unknown (83:28 PAL)
- R1 America- Blue Underground - No cuts. Includes both the original Spanish version (91:07 NTSC) and the US version (86:56 NTSC)
- R1 The Blind Dead Collection Limited Edition America- Blue Underground - No cuts - Includes both the original Spanish version (91:07 NTSC) and the US version (86:56 NTSC)
- R2 3-Disc Limited Edition Austria- XT Video - No cuts. Includes the Integral Cut (88:06 PAL) and the Spanish Domestic Cut (87:39 PAL).
- R2 Germany- Laser Paradise - Yes. Cut Version (79:40 PAL)
- R2 Die Legende Der Reitenden Leichen Collector’s Box Germany- XT Video - No cuts. Original Spanish version (87:06 PAL)
- R2 Spain- filmax - No cuts. Spanish Domestic Version (87:08 PAL)
- R2 United Kingdom- Anchor Bay Entertainment - No cuts. Original Spanish Version; All previous cuts waived (87:27 PAL)
- R2 The Blind Dead Collection United Kingdom- Anchor Bay Entertainment - No cuts. Integral Spanish Version; All previous cuts waived (87:27 PAL).
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Comparison added by Jari_Kovalainen on 13/10/05
Comparison last updated by Rick_Curzon on 17/02/22UPDATE LOG:
19/01/18: General tidyup.
Please ensure you read our disclaimer.
27/04/21: Added notes and Austrian edition.
15/05/21: Clean-up.
15/05/21: Added bonus film to XT box set.
16/06/21: Revised UK specs.
17/02/22: Corrected error.
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