All customer reviews

88 films are an amazing company with a vast amount of quality titles up for the picking. This particular product will split people down the middle, due to the fact that because it's a UK release it has to be cut to comply with BBFC rules on animal cruelty. Some will ask what's the point of cutting a 40 year-old movie. There's nothing we can do now to stop the real animal killings. So let's watch and learn from it, and make sure it never happens again. Others will disagree of course, and proclaim that any authentic animal abuse shown on screen should be removed before being shown to audiences. It could encourage similar behaviour, particularly if younger viewers come across it. Of course, in the age of the internet, both sides are catered for, in that this title is widely available in its uncut form from other countries. So whatever side of the fence you're on, you still have a choice, with this particular film at least.

Not to everybody's taste . But apart from the repulsive real animal cruelty I really enjoy this movie . But why are 88 films expecting people to folk out their hard earned money on another censored version of this movie

Despite what you may think of the film (I'll get onto that later), this is a wonderful edition. It is the most complete UK release ever with only about 8-10 seconds of cuts. The remastering of the picture and sound are far better than you could have ever hoped for. I already own this film entirely uncut on an overseas release so purchased the 88 version entirely for the special features which are vast, interesting and informative. In particular the Kim Newman/Barry Forshaw commentary which tackles the merits of the film is a great watch/listen. The film itself is indeed one of the most controversial of all time. It is very well filmed and acted, the story is interesting and the music score is hauntingly beautiful. The subject matter however aggressively contrasts these positives and is extremely hard to watch, it goes to places very few films have ever dared. It is not a film for the casual movie fan but for those interested in film history or in exploitation cinema (both in terms of what is shown on screen and what lengths the makers of the film went to make it). The film and its history (both pre and post release) is fascinating but I would feel uneasy about recommending this challenging and confrontational film to anyone unless you really know what you are letting yourself in for. However, if you know what to expect then this is a very fine edition unlikely to be improved upon in this country.