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Nekromantik
[Blu-ray]
Blu-ray B - United Kingdom - Arrow Films Review written by and copyright: Samuel Scott (6th December 2014). |
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The Film
 ***This is an A/V and Extras review only. For reviews on the movie from various critics, we recommend visiting HERE.*** Nekromantik is the one-of-a-kind shock classic from cult director Jörg Buttgereit, weaving the tale of Rob Schmadtke (Daktari Lorenz), a young man who finds himself competing for the affections of his girlfriend with a putrefying cadaver. An employee of Joe’s Streetcleaning Agency, a company which cleans up after grisly accidents, Rob takes advantage of his profession to indulge in his chosen hobby – the collection of body parts. Then, one day, Rob brings home an entire decomposing corpse, much to the delight of girlfriend Betty. There follows a twisted love triangle, resulting in some of the most shocking scenes ever committed to celluloid. Nearly 30 years after its original release, Arrow Video is proud to present this classic of underground horror cinema – finally classified for UK release in its fully unexpurgated form.
Video
Independent British studio Arrow Films have released the extremely gruesome and controversial horror film "Nekromantik" on to Blu-ray in the United Kingdom using the original aspect ratio of 1.33:1. The transfer is 1080p, and has received an AVC MPEG-4 encode. Two viewing options are available here; a Grindhouse version taken from a 35mm blow-up, and the original 8mm version. For my viewing, I opted for the 8mm transfer, even though director Buttgereit is said to prefer the Grindhouse version. For those familiar with this title, you'll know we will never see a particularly wonderful transfer, but once you get past the first scene of the pigeon being urinated on, you'll be quietly surprised. Yes, the 25+ year old super 8mm print still looks quite rough, with quite a bit of debris and damage throughout, and yes colours have faded with time, but this looks far superior to any transfer I have seen before on previous formats (I have not viewed other Blu-ray releases). Details can look quite good, with the scene with the caterpillar towards the end of particular note, and background items which were once impossible to make out, now look like the objects they are supposed to (if still not with pinpoint clarity). The feature is uncut in the United Kingdom for the first time, running 71:11.
Audio
Two audio options have been included: - German LPCM 2.0 Stereo - German LPCM 1.0 Mono For my viewing I actually opted for the German LPCM 1.0 Mono track which is the original mix. Like the transfer, we need to remember that this was an extremely low budget movie, and so the sound hasn't really stood the test of time as well as movies from known studios of the era. Still, it must be said that the audio is certainly adequate to enjoy (well... watch) the film. There isn't really a huge amount going on audio wise in the film though. Dialogue is quite minimal, sound effects are simple, and the score is essentially the exact same daunting piano tune at various different moments. Although lacking any considerable depth, dialogue is always clear, and there no major issues with the source. This won't be winning any awards for the audio, but at least we get lossless formats, unlike the American release from Cult Epics. English subtitles are optional for the 8mm version, and burnt-in for the Grindhouse version.
Extras
We start the extras off with an audio commentary by Jorg Buttgereit and Franz Rodenkirchen. They are both very detailed about how a lot of the scenes are shot, and to be brutally honest, this isn't for those with weak stomachs (but then neither is the film). We hear how pigs eyes and intestines were used for certain scenes, and how cast members themselves felt very sick after filming scenes. We hear the insides of the cat in the bath scene is actually just scrambled egg and cherry food colouring. Amazing. Both participants make for a good track, though there are certainly times where it is obvious English is not their mother tongue. When you play the film, there is the option to first listen to an introduction by director Jorg Buttgereit (0:59). Although very short, it is quite amusing. Buttgereit seriously doesn't understand why people still like this film, and quickly explains that you shouldn't be expecting 3D clarity footage in this HD transfer. Next up, we have a couple of Jorg Buttgereit short films (with optional audio commentary): - "Hot Love" (29:00) - "Horror Heaven" (23:19) Made in 1985, "Hot Love" is about a guy who falls in love with a lass, but then sees her with another guy one day. He commits suicide, and she has his baby. There isn't as much gore as the main feature, but the very dark humour is certainly present. 1984's "Horror Heaven" is sort of a mini-series of shorts which I guess could be looked upon as a satire of the genre. Both of these shorts are pretty average, and to be honest, I'd love to see Buttgereit in some sort of therapy session. A good addition to the disc for sure, but only worth a single watch. They both have optional commentary, and look and sound as good as the main feature. "Hot Love" premiere footage (3:34) was filmed in 1985 at the Sputnik Cinema in Berlin by "Nekromantik"'s director of photography Uwe Bohrer. With the original title of "Das Letzte" it includes footage of star Daktari Lorenz and musician Jon Boy Walton, as well as a brief appearance from future star of "Nekromantik 2", Mark Reeder. It features a lot of brief comments from people who saw the film. The "Horror Heaven" outtakes extra lasts 4:32, and is exactly what it says on the tin; a series of outtakes and off the cuff snippets that happened during the making of the short film of the same name. These are your typical line fluffs interspersed with other footage. Jorg Buttgereit Music Videos: - "I Can't Let Go" performed by Shock Therapy (3:20) - "Lemmy, I'm a Feminist" performed by Half Girl (3:33) These are two heavy metal tracks (though I'm sure some genre fanatic will jump in and tell me I'm stupid and it's actually Finnish Death Church Goth or something), and the videos are in a style you would expect from Buttgereit. I have to say though, neither of these songs were anywhere near as heavy as I expected them to be, and the song by Half Girl was enjoyable enough for me to listen to several times. Another nice and unexpected addition to this set. "In Conversation with the Death King" interview with Jorg Buttgereit runs 22:05 and was conducted by Arrow's Ewan Cant on 25th August 2014 in London. In the interview, Buttgereit descusses some of the challenges he faced whilst making the movie, and the mixed reaction it received upon release. He mentions how he feels American horrors of the early eighties were filmed for kids, and he started seeing experimental movies at local shows in Berlin. He tells us that any horror or sexual scene tends to have a funny atmosphere on set to make it feel more comfortable. Buttgereit is an open and honest director, and this interview includes some information not found in either the commentary or the Q&A. "The Nekromantik Legacy" is a brand spanking new documentary, rocking in at 39:52. It takes a closer look at "Nekromatik"'s impact on the international horror scene, it's enduring legacy, and subsequent uncut classification from the BBFC. Interviewee's include Tony M. Clarke who owns the Psychotronic store, Virginie Selavy who is the editor of Electric Sheep Magazine, Marc Morris who owns Nucleus Films, and Patricia Maccormack who is the Professor of Continental Philsophy at Anglia Ruskin University. There's a good range of interviews here, all with good points to be made. I hope Arrow continue their home made efforts. Next, a Q&A with director Jorg Buttgereit moderated by Calum Waddell (45:16). This is an in-depth session, and whilst some of the questions attempt to garner a reaction from Buttgereit, he is an excellent speaker who manages to combat such questions with intelligent thought-out answers. Waddell is a very good moderator, and does a great job at keeping things moving. Another cracking extra. "The Making of Nekromantik" featurette (12:53) is quite a typical featurette that contains various behind the scenes footage, interspersed with cast and crew interviews. To be honest, it doesn't really add anything new that hasn't been covered by the large array of extra features already covered. The "Nekromantik" featurette (9:22) suffers from the same problem of information retreading, though this time the interview with Buttgereit takes place in an editing suite. "Nekromantik Premiere" featurette (2:51) is exactly what it says on the tin. Footage from the premiere of the movie. The rest of the Blu-ray extras are self-explanatory: Image Gallery (90 pages) Jorg Buttgereit Trailers: - Play All (7:08) - "Nekromantik" (2:02) - "Der Todesking" (2:26) - "Nekromantik 2" (1:11) - "Schramm" (1:27) A DVD copy and a 27-track CD featuring the complete Nekromantik soundtrack composed and performed by star Daktari Lorenz and musicians John Boy Walton and Hermann Kopp, plus rare tracks from Hot Love, are also included. The case also holds a "Romance Is Dead" 100-page book, 5 Polaroid Postcards, and a Numbered Certificate (????/3000).
Overall
The film isn't for everyone, but it has a long history among horror fans in the UK. This release is likely the best it has ever looked, and possibly ever will, with a great selection of extras. For fans of the movie, this is an essential purchase. Everyone else will want to check it out first.
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