Mondo Macabro

[Adam X]

So Mondo have a flash pre-order on right now for their latest quartet of releases, currently only in a bundle ltd to 750 copies. The sale will end when they sell out. For those earlier wondering about more UHD releases, this round has two of them. Both UHD titles are limited webstore exclusives, with Death Squad's UHD disc being limited to this flash pre-sale only.

• (4K/BD) Death Squad (d. Max Pécas)
• (4K/BD) Dr. Jekyll and the Werewolf (w/both versions, d. Leon Klimovsky)
• Secrets & Mysteries: Films By Pedro Olea (incl. ‘The House Without Frontiers’ & ‘It’s Not Good For a Man To Be Alone’ & 2 short films. d. Pedro Olea)
• Special Silencers (d. Arizal)

Their annual Halloween sale starts on October 31st.
The latest newsletter has all the info.

Since Finch's last post, Mondo also released two '70's Japanese films:

• Curse of the Dog God (d. Shunya Ito)
• The Inferno (d. Tatsumi Kumashiro)

And coming next year...

Once we get passed the sale, we'll start thinking about what we have in store for next year, but expect great things like CAFE FLESH, the [Barry Prima] WARRIOR trilogy, upgrades of the Greek exploitation/gialli films TANGO OF PERVERSION and THE WIFE KILLER, and Vicente Aranda's arthouse horror film FATA MORGANA, among many other delights!

EDIT: Well, the bundle sold out in half an hour!

[therewillbeblus]

Death Brigade is an extremely weird movie, and I don't mean that as a compliment. The narrative constantly eschews opportunities to prime the audience to engage with the characters and activity propelling so relentlessly, so we're cued to treat this like a more passively absurd grindhouse pic. That's fine, except the tone is so unfocused. There's a lot of playful violence and some fun bits there, but the film turns on a dime many times to just carry out brutal, extreme violence and assault that serves no purpose other than to shock and disturb. The film treats its content incredibly seriously in these moments, but without that connective tissue between scenes and character and a sense of tone, it's hard to invest in some underlying utility that'll pay off later. For then we get silly violence again, and playful character jabs, and sexploitation inserts.. I dunno, I like acclimating to a rhythm when watching something like this, and it seemed to exist solely to disrupt a viewer from that comfort - which is just a bit ironic when your movie is squarely fit in the genre that seeks to provide that kind of comfortable cinematic 'ride'. Or maybe the movie had a different agenda and I just don't get it.

Max Pecas can capture some cool shots, but he can also over-edit or ignore significant script markers to help us get to where his mind is five steps ahead.

[jazzo]

Thanks for this. I'd never heard of this film, but many of the online reviews were comparing it to the Spanish film, MAD FOXES, which I have seen (with an audience in a theatre) and was easily able to dial into its particular wavelength of insanity and have a complete blast with it. This sounds less...that.

[therewillbeblus]

It is, in part! It's just the the other side is brutal and sustains that wavelength awkwardly before transitioning back to careless shenanigans. Feels like a dinner party where everyone makes light banter and then random people, anyone at the table at any moment, unpredictably initiate really aggressive uncomfortable topics and stare you in the face - then break back to the banter by laughing it off; rinse, cycle, repeat. I dunno, it's a somewhat uncomfortable feeling, but maybe that's the point? If so, it's not going far enough to make it.

[Finch]

Mondo Macabro's new announcements are Fata Morgana/Left-Handed Fate (1966) and Sex Acopalypse (1982).

[dwk]

New Mondo announcements. Both going up for pre-order on Thursday, June 20th at 9 AM PST/12 noon EST
THE MAX PECAS COLLECTION
Featuring I AM A NYMPHOMANIAC, I AM FRIGID … WHY?, and PRIVATE CLUB!

DISC ONE FEATURES
Region Free

I AM A NYMPHOMANIAC (France, 1970); 95 min; 1.66:1
French or English audio options with English subtitles

“I whispered it again and again: I am a nymphomaniac. Whenever I passed a man in the street, I felt the same craving burning inside me…”
Carole is an ordinary girl leading an ordinary life. Then one day it happens. She has an accident and falls down a lift shaft. Miraculously, she survives. But after she recovers in the hospital, she finds herself obsessed with her body, sex and sin. Will she ever be free from the torment of her passionate desires?
A classic piece of adult cinema from the golden age of French erotica. The film stars the gorgeous Sandra Jullien (Le frisson des vampires) as Carole alongside Janine Reynaud and Michel Lemoine (Jess Franco’s Succubus)

I AM FRIGID … WHY? (France, 1972); 101 min; 1.66:1
French or English audio options with English subtitles

In this follow up to his classic I Am a Nymphomaniac, Max Pécas takes us inside the mind of a girl searching for satisfaction. No matter how many times she does it, or with whom, Doris can never find the fulfilment she seeks.
Her search leads from her convent school to 1970's Paris, where she falls in with an outrageous theatre group, finally ending up as a high-class call girl in a house run by a lesbian dominatrix.
A riot of lava lamps, garish fashions and deliciously daft dialogue...
This is an extended version of the feature with two extra scenes not included in the original French release of the film.

This disc also includes -
Episode of the EUROTIKA TV series about Max Pecas
Deleted Scenes

DISC TWO FEATURES
Region Free

PRIVATE CLUB (France, 1974); 87 min; 1.66:1
French or English audio options with English subtitles

Marcel is a taxi driver who works in the center of Paris. He’s a romantic and is deeply in love with his photo-model girlfriend, Lise, but is still not averse to exchanging comments with his taxi driving pal Charlie whenever a pretty girl passes by. One day a gorgeous woman hires his taxi. She surprises him by undressing in the back seat of the cab. Soon she leads him to a private club where, forgetting all about Lise, Marcel spends the afternoon with the girls who work there. But he is in for a shock, one which will shatter his blinkered view of the world and male/female relationships.
A portrait of a long-vanished world of swinging sex clubs, shameless voyeurs and free love, Private Club marked the end of an era for Max Pecas who was soon to move on to a very different genre of cinema.

LIMITED EDITION FEATURES
2 disc set with a slipcover featuring brand new art by Justin Coffee; reversible inner sleeve with original ad art on each side; 20 page color booklet with new writing on the film by Pete Tombs; 10 double sided art cards; 1500 numbered copies (numbers will be sent out randomly)

and

THE WARRIOR TRILOGY
DISC ONE FEATURES
Region Free

THE WARRIOR (Indonesia, 1981); 94 min; 2.35:1
English or Indonesian audio options with English subtitles
Directed by Sisworo Gautama Putra

Witchcraft and black magic versus mystical martial arts
This outrageously entertaining fantasy flick stars Indonesian action hero Barry Prima. He plays Jaka Sembung, a kind of Robin Hood figure who possesses mystical powers. As a leader of his country’s rebellion against the oppressive Dutch colonialists, Jaka Sembung is captured, tortured and left for dead. But he returns, even more powerful than before. In desperation the invaders resurrect an evil wizard and set him against Jaka Sembung in a fierce fight to the death.
Packed with jaw dropping action scenes and astonishing special effects, The Warrior is the ultimate cult classic. This is the first Blu-ray release of the film in the US and is fully remastered and completely uncut.

* HD transfer from the original negative
* New Interview with film maker Joko Anwar
* New Interview with SFX maestro EL Badrun
* New Interview with writer/assistant director Imam Tantowi
* Archive interview with Imam Tantowi
* Interview with producer Gope Samtani
* Trailers for The Warrior, The Warrior and the Blind Swordsman and The Warrior and the Ninja

DISC TWO FEATURES
Region Free

THE WARRIOR AND THE BLIND SWORDSMAN (Indonesia, 1983); 95 min; 2.35:1
English or Indonesian audio options with English subtitles
Directed by Dasri Yacob

In this explosive sequel to The Warrior, Jaka Sembung is back, organizing resistance to the Dutch colonialist army in West Java and spreading the message of rebellion throughout the land. The Dutch commander organizes a martial arts tournament to select the best warrior to defeat Jaka Sembung. The winner is Si Buta, a mysterious blind swordsman from a place Called Devil’s Mountain. For a chest full of gold coins, Sin Buta returns with Jaka Sembungs’s decapitated head. However, things are not quite what they seem and they become even more complicated when a seductive sorceress, Dewi Magi, sets her sights on the blind swordsman and demands Jaka Sembung as her sex slave. The Dutch send in their heavily armed troops and an apocalyptic battle ensues, filled with magic, mayhem and mystical martial arts.

THE WARRIOR AND THE NINJA (Indonesia, 1985); 99 min; 2.35:1
English or Indonesian audio options with English subtitles
Directed by H. Tjut Djalil

In this final entry in Rapi Films’ Warrior Trilogy, Jaka Sembung teams up with a female freedom fighter known as The Black Squirrel.
The film opens with a spectacular volcanic explosion and from there on the tension never lets up. Numerous high energy scenes of brutal martial arts are interspersed with sustained action, gore, and outrageous special effects sequences. This may well be the most action packed of all the films in the series and is directed by MYSTICS IN BALI helmer H. Tjut Djalil.
Jaka Sembung comes up against one of his most fearsome opponents in the seemingly invincible, iron skinned Balung Wesi. The film features one of the most over the top scenes in the entire trilogy when one of the villains has her face ripped off by the Black Squirrel.

LIMITED EDITION FEATURES
2 disc set with slipcover and reversible inner sleeve featuring brand new art by Jolyon Yates; 20 page color booklet with new writing on the films by Pete Tombs; 1500 numbered copies (numbers will be sent out randomly)

[dwk]

Mondo has said the following Blu-rays are OOP
Lizard in a Woman's SKin (sold out)
Perversion Story
Private Vices Public Virtues
Suddenly in the Dark

I assume the two Fulci titles will get re-releases from someone else, but I'm doubtful about the other two.

[therewillbeblus]

Umbrella just released a loaded edition of Lizard in a Woman’s Skin, which is region free

[dwk]

Mondo Macabro announced on twitter that they will be releasing Bohachi Bushido: Code of the Forgotten Eight on UHD.

[What A Disgrace]

Teruo Ishii in 4K. Holy moly.

[dwk]

Details for the four Halloween sale pre-order titles:

CAFE FLESH (USA, 1982)
Pre-order goes live this upcoming Tuesday, Oct 22, at 9 AM Pacific (google what time that is where you live), only at http://mondomacabro.bigcartel.com!

First one up is something people have been absolutely BEGGING for since we released DR CALIGARI a couple of years ago. Stephen Sayadian's surreal adult masterpiece CAFE FLESH!

Truly one of the most delirious film experiences you can have, CAFE FLESH is a dystopian sci-fi oddity from one of American cinema's true underground originals.

The time: five years after a nuclear apocalypse. The survivors: post-nuke, thrill-freaks looking for a kick. Able to exist, to sense, to feel everything... but pleasure. In a world destroyed, survivors break down to those who can and those who can't. 99% are Sex Negatives; call them "erotic casualties". They want to make love, but the mere touch of another person makes them violently ill. The rest, the lucky one percent, are Sex Positives, those whose libidos escaped unscathed. After the Nuclear Kiss, the Positives remain to love, to perform; and the others can only watch - can only come to Cafe Flesh!

CAFE FLESH is a legendary film, as entertaining and surprising today as it was when first released in the 1980s. Its unique visual style, fabulous score and provocative storyline combine to create a unique viewing experience. This release marks the official worldwide disc debut and showcases a years-in-the-making 4K restoration!

FEATURES
UHD/Blu-ray combo
Blu-ray disc is region free
4K restoration from the best surviving 35mm elements
Choice of 4:3 or 1.85:1 aspect ratios
Optional SDH
Audio commentary with director, designer and co-writer Stephen Sayadian aka Rinse Dream
Interview with director, designer and co-writer Stephen Sayadian aka Rinse Dream
Interview with co-writer Jerry Stahl aka Herbert W Day
Interview with Jacob Smith, Northwestern University
Interview with writer and performer Jessica Stoya
Archival onset B-roll making of footage
Trailer

LIMITED EDITION FEATURES
2 disc UHD/BD combo; exclusive slipcover (design TBA); booklet with new writing on the film by Heather Drain, Daniel Bird, Eric Peretti, and archival text by Jerry Stahl; 2000 numbered copies (NOTE: numbers will be sent out randomly)


BOHACHI BUSHIDO: CODE OF THE FORGOTTEN EIGHT (Japan, 1973)
Pre-order goes live this upcoming Tuesday, Oct 22, at 9 AM Pacific (google what time that is where you live), only at http://mondomacabro.bigcartel.com!

Our 2nd big release is the utterly insane ero-guro/chambara freakout BOHACHI BUSHIDO: CODE OF THE FORGOTTEN EIGHT, directed by notorious cult director Teruo Ishii!

The legendary actor Tetsuro Tanba stars as Shiro, a master swordsman who is weary of the world of samurai honor and samurai killing, and so attempts suicide rather than finishing a fight. He is saved by the Bohachi clan, a gang of pimps who have forsaken all honor and whose cynicism outruns even his own. But ultimately, he even tires of their nihilistic worldview, leading to a final showdown in the snow ...

Full of flying limbs, naked lady ninjas, drug-induced hallucinations, and cackling villains, BOHACHI BUSHIDO is one of director Ishii's most deranged and impressive spectacles. We are extremely excited to bring you the world HD disc debut of this incredible cult film in a brand new exclusive 4K restoration.

FEATURES
Brand new 4K restoration from the original negative
UHD/BD combo
Blu-ray disc is region A locked (UHD is natively region free)
UHD is HDR-enhanced
Audio commentary by Japanese film expert and author Tom Mes
Archive audio commentary from film makers J-Taro Sugisaku and Takao Nakano
Interview with Shinya Tsukamoto about the film and the career of Teruo Ishii
Archival interview with actress Yuriko Hishimi
Archival interview with J-Taro Sugisaku
Trailer

LIMITED EDITION FEATURES
2-disc UHD/BD combo; exclusive slipcover featuring new art by Justin Coffee; reversible inner sleeve with new art by Justin Coffee on the A side and original ad art on the B; booklet with new writing on the film by Japanese film expert Mark Schilling; 2000 numbered copies (NOTE: numbers will be sent out randomly)


GIRL SLAVES OF MORGANA LE FAY (France, 1971)
Pre-order goes live this upcoming Tuesday, Oct 22, at 9 AM Pacific (google what time that is where you live), only at http://mondomacabro.bigcartel.com!

Our third release is something that's been in the works for nearly a decade ... finally, the HD debut of the dreamy 1970s French Fantastique classic GIRL SLAVES OF MORGANA LE FAY!

Driving in their car through Auvergne one summer, two young girls, Anna and Françoise, find themselves in the kingdom of the mythic Morgana, Queen of the Fairies.

Ever since Merlin taught her his skills centuries ago, Morgana has gone on living by obtaining the souls of the young women who pass through her kingdom. In exchange, she gives the captives who agree to her pact of eternal youth and beauty. Those who refuse her grow old and ugly in the dungeons of her castle.

FEATURES
Brand new 4K restoration from the original negative
UHD/BD combo
Blu-ray is region free
Audio commentary with writer/director Bruno Gantillon
New and archival interviews with Bruno Gantillon
New interview with actress Dominique Delpierre
Short film by Bruno Gantillon – An Artistic Couple
Trailer

LIMITED EDITION FEATURES
2 disc UHD/BD combo; exclusive slipcover with original ad art; 24 page full color booklet with text by Pete Tombs; 4 double sided full color art cards reproducing Italian fotobusta posters; 2000 numbered copies (NOTE: numbers will be sent out randomly)


THE PUNISHMENT (France, 1973)
Pre-order goes live this upcoming Tuesday, Oct 22, at 9 AM Pacific (google what time that is where you live), only at http://mondomacabro.bigcartel.com!

And finally, another long in the works project, THE PUNISHMENT! We originally announced this 70s Gallic shocker more than 6 years ago! But the film went into rights-dispute-hell almost immediately after. But with some help from our good friends at Vinegar Syndrome it's all been sorted out and we could not be prouder to unleash this early example of "French Extremity" upon an unsuspecting world!

Britt (played by Karin Schubert) is a high-class Paris escort, pimped out by her older girlfriend, Francoise. After being abused by a client, Britt rebels. Well-connected vice lord Manuel takes her to a seedy hotel in Lyon in the south of France. There she is locked in an empty room and forced to take part in a series of bizarre acts inflicted on her by a procession of Manuel’s clients. Raymond, Manuel’s second in command, begins to take pity on Britt and returns to Paris with her. But events there take an even more dangerous turn and Britt and Raymond have to flee for their lives.

A shocking and provocative film based on a true story, THE PUNISHMENT was a controversial film on its initial release and continues to provoke and challenge viewers today

DISC FEATURES
BD-only; region free
Brand new 2K restoration from the original negative
Audio commentary by film historian and author Samm Deighan
Interview with soundtrack composer and cast member Bookie Binkley
Interview with author Jean-Luc Marret
Interview with cinematographer Noel Very

LIMITED EDITION FEATURES
Reversible sleeve with shocking new art by Justin Coffee on the A side and original ad art on the B; 6 double sided art cards; 24 page full color booklet with new writing by Jacques Spohr; 1500 numbered copies in the usual red case

[Peacock]

Halloween sale on from today through to the 27th. All but the newest titles are discounted.

[dwk]

Could be the last chance to pick up the recently/going OOP titles: Suddenly in the Dark, Perversion Story, and Private Vices, Public Virtues.

[dwk]

MM announced three new Blu-rays going up for sale on August 7th:

The Power of Darkness

ANNOUNCEMENT #1
First up we have an obscure surrealist mystery film from Argentina! Our first Latin American release in many years!

Mario Sabato’s 1976 film THE POWER OF DARKNESS!

Fernando Vidal, a formerly wealthy man now living in a tiny single room in Buenos Aires, is accosted one evening by someone who claims to be a childhood friend. Vidal denies ever having met him. But later the stranger turns up at his threadbare apartment and begins to ask questions about their childhood together – reminding Fernando about how he would catch birds and poke out their eyes just to see if they could fly without sight. These long-suppressed memories start to haunt Fernando, and he becomes increasingly detached from reality.
From that point on, strange events accumulate in his life. A seemingly drunk neighbor tells him about sighting a huge bird – a warning of disasters to come. Fernando begins to notice blind men everywhere in the city, some even following him through the nighttime streets and onto subway trains. Finally, his childhood friend tells him that he has discovered a secret society of the blind which is plotting to take over the world. And suddenly Fernando begins to see evidence of this everywhere. Following a series of clues, he climbs the stairs of an old apartment building in a deserted section of the city and finds himself lost in a vast and dark labyrinth where bizarre and terrifying visions flash in and out of view. Somewhere in the void, he is convinced, lies the answer to all his problems. He steps forward, as the darkening shadows swallow him up.
Part crazed conspiracy theory, part horror story and part philosophical inquiry, The Power of Darkness is a film like no other. Although based on a highly regarded novel - On Heroes and Tombs - the film has been more or less forgotten. This is its first English friendly release and is a must see for adventurous film watchers.

DISC FEATURES
Region Free
2K restoration from the original negative
Spanish language with newly translated, optional English subtitles
“About the Film” short video
Trailer

LIMITED EDITION FEATURES
New cover illustration by Justin Coffee; 24 page booklet on the history of Argentinian genre films;

1000 numbered copies in the usual red case.
Goes on sale Thursday, August 7 at 9 AM Pacific/12 Noon Eastern only at mondomacabro.bigcartel.com.
Please note that numbered copies are now sent out randomly.

Forbidden Game of Love

ANNOUNCEMENT #2

Next up today we have our first release of a film by celebrated Spanish auteur Eloy de la Iglesia!

It’s the provocative 70s exploitation/thriller FORBIDDEN GAME OF LOVE!

Breaking for Summer vacation, popular literature teacher Don Luis wishes his students well and sets them a holiday project on the myth of “delayed revenge”. Later, driving away from the city, Don Luis sees two of his students - Miguel and Julia - hitch hiking. He offers them a ride and they eventually agree to spend the night at Don Luis’s isolated house in the country, which they soon discover is a palatial mansion with extensive private grounds.
The young lovers get to spend their first night in bed together and discuss the possibility of staying on in the large house, its only other inhabitant being Jaime (Simon Andreu), a man in his 30s, who seems to be some sort of servant to Don Luis. The next day they decide to go for a walk, only to discover that the tall iron gates of the house are firmly chained shut. They challenge Don Luis, who then produces a pistol and they realize that they are now prisoners, along with Jaime.
What then follows is a series of bizarre and sexually charged “games” which seem designed to break down their spirit of resistance and force them to accept Don Luis as their superior and mentor. However, when Don Luis finally returns to his teaching duties, Miguel, Julia and Jaime begin to see a way to reverse the power balance. As things change in the house, the forbidden game becomes one of life and death.
The film was very controversial when first released, being seen as a comment on the fascist dictatorship of General Franco and suffered 42 censor cuts. This present version - the first English friendly release of the film - is fully uncut and restored from the original negative. It’s a startling and sometimes shocking film that richly deserves rediscovery.

DISC FEATURES
Region Free
Brand new 4K restoration from the original negative
Spanish language with newly translated, optional English subtitles
Spanish film expert Ángel Sala on director Eloy de la Iglesia

LIMITED EDITION FEATURES
Reversible sleeve with Brand new art by Justin Coffee on one side and original ad art on the other; 24 page booklet by Spanish genre film expert Ismael Fernandez;

1000 numbered copies in the usual red case.
Goes on sale Thursday, August 7 at 9 AM Pacific/12 Noon Eastern only at mondomacabro.bigcartel.com.
Please note that numbered copies are now sent out randomly.

and I Hate My Body

ANNOUNCEMENT #3!

Last up today is one of the wildest movies ever made by Eurocult favorite Leon Klimovsky!
It’s the deranged gender-bending sci-fi/thriller/social critique film I HATE MY BODY!

Lecherous businessmen Ernest and Peter go out for an evening of fun with two girls from work. There’s a lot of drinking and dancing and more than a little suggestion of frolics to follow, particularly when Ernest has the idea they swap partners. The two men set off in their cars with their respective dates. Ernest, in no fit state to be behind the wheel, roars with laughter as they speed off into the dark night. Momentarily distracted as he glances at his attractive passenger, he loses control of the car. They crash into the side of a bridge and the vehicle bursts into flames.
The bodies are rushed to the nearest hospital where both Ernest and his passenger are certified dead on arrival. However, the hospital’s surgeon, Dr. Adolf Berger - a former medic in a Nazi death camp - discovers that Ernest’s brain is still intact. Encouraged by his female assistant, Lydia, Berger decides to try out his long-cherished experiment- transplanting a brain from one body to another. However, the only body available is that of a young woman, Leda Schmidt, also technically dead in the hospital morgue. Casting aside all scruples, Berger begins the operation...
This outrageous film, which now has much contemporary relevance, was directed by horror specialist Leon Klimovsky the man behind Paul Naschy’s Werewolf and the Vampire Woman and numerous other Spanish “fantaterror” classics. The disc includes many exclusive extras and the feature has been fully restored.

DISC FEATURES
Region Free
Brand new 4K restoration from the original negative
Choice of English dub or Spanish with optional Eng subtitles
Interview with actor Manuel de Blas
Interview with Spanish film expert Ángel Sala about the film
Audio commentary by Rod Barnett and Troy Guinn of the Naschycast
Trailer

LIMITED EDITION FEATURES
Reversible sleeve with original ad art on both sides; 24 page booklet by Spanish genre film expert Ismael Fernandez;

1000 numbered copies in the usual red case.
Goes on sale Thursday, August 7 at 9 AM Pacific/12 Noon Eastern only at mondomacabro.bigcartel.com.
Please note that numbered copies are now sent out randomly.

[Finch]

Jared confirmed the following films for 2026 on a podcast:

House of the Lute
Morbo
The Blood Rose
Zinda Laash: Dracula in Pakistan + Zibahkhana [Hell's Ground] - Double Feature
The Fan (1982)(4k upgrade)
Black Magic With Buddha

[Peacock]

I was very close to picking up a very expensive used copy of the OOP 4K of The Blood Rose so that’s very good news! I’ll hold off then.

[domino harvey]

Greek noir double feature: Lust in the Swamps / Secrets of Sinful Athens

[spectre]

Just had a look and saw they also have Henri Xhonneux’s Marquis up for preorder – that film is a real one of a kind!

https://mondomacabro.bigcartel.com/prod ... se-edition

It was also released on Blu-ray by the French label Caméflex a couple of months back with English subtitles. That release seems to have a few more extras, but may already be OOP?

https://www.cameflex-boutique.com/en/shop/blu-ray-2