VIP 050 - TORSO

'HAUNTED BY A CHILDHOOD TRAGEDY HE IS DRIVEN TO KILL. AND KILL....'

For their 50th release Vipco chose to release Sergio Martino's much loved Giallo TORSO. This appears to be quite a rare tape and I've only ever come across one copy - which I promptly snatched up! I've only briefly skipped through the tape but the print used appears to be Joseph Brenner's US cut and is letterboxed at 1.66:1. Sadly, the BBFC insisted on 50 seconds of cuts.

The front cover and sleeve notes have been taken directly from the UK Pre-cert released in 1982 by Iver Film Services. That edition also used the Brenner version so I wouldn't be surprised if the transfer was also lifted from that tape, too.

TORSO was later due to be released by Redemption in it's original form but that release was cancelled. It wasn't until 2007 that TORSO made another appearance in the UK when Shameless issued the full, uncensored Italian cut on DVD. A Blu-ray containing both the Italian and US cuts has since been released in the US by Blue Underground.

The Beyond Terror DVD Label

Vipco are back! Well, sort of. You may have noticed while browsing the net or your local HMV that a new label has started to release all of the old Vipco titles. The covers may be different but the discs inside are the Vipco 'Screamtime' ones. Of course, many are now bootlegs as some have since been officially released in the UK by Arrow and Shameless.

Vipco's Cult Classics

                                                                                                                                                           
The Big Racket (Enzo G. Castellari, 1976)
Release date: 10/02/2003
1.85:1 Non-anamorphic widescreen
CUT VERSION (14 seconds removed by the BBFC)
Trailers for Cannibal Holocaust, Mountain of the Cannibal God, Psychic Killer and Shogun Assassin
Gallery & filmographies

                                                                                                                                                             
Bronx Warriors (Enzo G. Castellari, 1982) aka 1990: The Bronx Warriors
Release date: 26/05/2003
2.35:1 non-anamorphic
Uncut

Trailers for Cannibal Holocaust, Mountain of the Cannibal God, Psychic Killer and Shogun Assassin
Gallery & filmographies

                                                                                                                                                             
Bronx Warriors 2 (Enzo G. Castellari, 1983) aka Escape from the Bronx
Release date: 26/01/2004
2.35:1 non-anamorphic
CUT VERSION
Trailers for Cannibal Holocaust, Mountain of the Cannibal God, Psychic Killer and Shogun Assassin
Gallery & filmographies

                                                                                                                                                            
Emanuelle in Prison (Bruno Mattei, 1983) aka Blade Violent; Women's Prison Massacre
Release date: 16/06/2003
1.85:1 non-anamorphic
Uncut (includes 'happy' ending)
Trailers for Cannibal Holocaust, Mountain of the Cannibal God, Psychic Killer and Shogun Assassin
Gallery & filmographies

                                                                                                                                                               
Gremloids (Todd Durham, 1985) aka Hyperspace
Release date: 19/08/2002
1.85:1 non-anamorphic (o.a.r 2.35:1)
Uncut
Filmographies

                                                                                                                                                                
The Last Hunter (Antonio Margheriti, 1980)
Release date: 17/06/2002
1.85:1 non-anamorphic
CUT: see here
Trailers for Cannibal Holocaust, Mountain of the Cannibal God, Psychic Killer and Shogun Assassin
Gallery & filmographies

                                                                                                                                                                
A Man Called Blade (Sergio Martino, 1977) aka Mannaja
Release date: 07/10/2002
2.35:1 non-anamorphic
CUT (6 seconds removed by BBFC)
Trailers for Cannibal Holocaust, Mountain of the Cannibal God, Psychic Killer and Shogun Assassin
Gallery & filmographies

                                                                                                                                                            
The New Barbarians (Enzo G. Castellari, 1982) aka Warriors of the Wasteland
Release date: 07/04/2003
2.35:1 non-anamorphic
Stereo 2.0
Uncut
Trailers for Cannibal Holocaust, Mountain of the Cannibal God, Psychic Killer and Shogun Assassin
Gallery & filmographies

                                                                                                                                                             
Prozzie (Ulli Lommel, 1983) aka Olivia; Double Jeopardy (pre-cert title)
Release date: 29/07/2002
1.33:1
Uncut
Trailers for Cannibal Holocaust, Mountain of the Cannibal God, Psychic Killer and Shogun Assassin
Gallery & filmographies

                                                                                                                                                                
Violence in a Women's Prison (Bruno Mattei, 1982) aka Caged Women
Release date: 16/06/2003
1.85:1 non-anamorphic
Uncut
Trailers for Cannibal Holocaust, Mountain of the Cannibal God, Psychic Killer and Shogun Assassin
Gallery & filmographies

                                                                                                                                                             
The Violent Professionals (Sergio Martino, 1973)
Release date: 07/04/2003
2.35:1 non-anamorphic
Uncut
Trailers for Cannibal Holocaust, Mountain of the Cannibal God, Psychic Killer and Shogun Assassin
Gallery & filmographies

                                                                                                                                                             

Vipco's Vault of Horror Collection Pt 3

(Again in some cases I've had to use the (identical) vhs sleeve)
                                                                                                                                                            
Psychic Killer (Roy Danton, 1976)

Release date: 21/10/2000
1.33:1
Uncut
Trailers for Psychic Killer and Shogun Assassin
Gallery

                                                                                                                                                              

Rats - Night of Terror (Bruno Mattei, 1983)

Release date: 25/02/2002

1.66:1 non-anamorphic

Uncut

Trailers for Cannibal Holocaust, Mountain of the Cannibal God, Psychic Killer and Shogun Assassin

Gallery & filmographies

                                                                                                                                                                

Shock Waves (Ken Wiederhorn, 1977)

Release date: 2001
1.33:1
Uncut
Trailers for Cannibal Holocaust, Mountain of the Cannibal God, Psychic Killer and Shogun Assassin
Gallery & Peter Cushing filmography

                                                                                                                                                             
Shogun Assassin (Robert Huston, 1980)

Release date: 21/02/2000
2.35:1 non-anamorphic (1.33 version also available)
Uncut
Original theatrical trailer
Gallery

                                                                                                                                                              
The Slayer (J.S Cardone, 1982)

Release date: 13/08/2001
1.33:1
Uncut
Trailers for Cannibal Holocaust, Mountain of the Cannibal God, Psychic Killer and Shogun Assassin
Gallery & filmographies

                                                                                                                                                            
Spookies (Brendan Faulkner, Tomas Doran, Eugiene Joesph, 1986)

Release date: 09/07/2001
1.33:1
Uncut
Trailers for Cannibal Holocaust, Mountain of the Cannibal God, Psychic Killer and Shogun Assassin
Gallery

                                                                                                                                                               
Stagefright (Michele Soavi, 1987)

Release date: 11/10/2002
1.33:1
Uncut
Trailers for Cannibal Holocaust, Mountain of the Cannibal God, Psychic Killer and Shogun Assassin
Gallery & filmographies

                                                                                                                                                             
The Toolbox Murders (Dennis Donnelly, 1977)

Release date: 14/04/2000
1.66:1 non-anamorphic
CUT VERSION
Trailers for Psychic Killer and Shogun Assassin
Gallery

                                                                                                                                                           
Vault of Horror (Roy Ward Baker, 1973)

Release date: 13/08/2001
1.33:1
Uncut
Trailers for Cannibal Holocaust, Psychic Killer and Shogun Assassin
Gallery & filmographies

                                                                                                                                                              
Zombie Creeping Flesh (Bruno Mattei, 1980) aka Hell of the Living Dead

Release date: 22/04/2002
1.85:1 non-anamorphic
Uncut
Trailers for Cannibal Holocaust, Mountain of the Cannibal God, Psychic Killer and Shogun Assassin
Gallery & filmographies

                                                                                                                                                            
The Zombie Dead (Andrea Bianchi, 1980) aka The Nights of Terror; Burial Ground; Zombie 3

Release date: 29/07/2002
1.66:1 non-anamorphic
Uncut
Trailers for Cannibal Holocaust, Mountain of the Cannibal God, Psychic Killer and Shogun Assassin
Gallery & filmographies

                                                                                                                                                             
Zombie Flesh Eaters 2 (Lucio Fulci & Bruno Mattei, 1988) aka Zombi 3

Release date: 11/03/2002
1.78:1 non-anamorphic
CUT VERSION (Shorter 88 minute version)
Trailers for Cannibal Holocaust, Mountain of the Cannibal God, Psychic Killer and Shogun Assassin
Gallery & filmographies

                                                                                                                                                               
Zombie Flesh Eaters 3 (Claudio Fragasso, 1990) aka Zombie 4; After Death

Release date: 19/08/2002
1.66:1 non-anamorphic
Uncut
Trailers for Cannibal Holocaust, Mountain of the Cannibal God, Psychic Killer and Shogun Assassin
Gallery & filmographies

                                                                                                                                                              
Zombie Nosh (Bill Hinzman, 1989) aka Flesh Eater; Revenge of the Living Dead

Release date: 23/06/2003
1.33:1
Uncut
Trailers for Cannibal Holocaust, Mountain of the Cannibal God, Psychic Killer and Shogun Assassin
Gallery & filmographies

                                                                                                                                                             

Vipco's Vault of Horror Collection Pt 2

(note: in some cases I've had to use the VHS artwork)

                                                                                                                                                              
The Deadly Spawn (Douglas Mckeown, 1983)
Release date: 17/07/2000
1.33:1
Uncut
Trailers
Biographies
Gallery

                                                                                                                                                              
Death Trap (Tobe Hooper, 1976) aka Eaten Alive (not to be confused with the italian film of the same name)
Release date: 05/02/2001
1.33:1
Uncut
Trailers, gallery, filmographies

                                                                                                                                                               
Drive in Massacre (Stu Segall, 1976)
Release date: 17/09/2001
Uncut
1.33:1
Gallery, trailers, filmographies

                                                                                                                                                               

Eaten Alive (Umberto Lenzi, 1980)

Release date: 05/06/2000

CUT 

1.66:1 non-anamorphic

Trailers

Picture gallery

                                                                                                                                                                

Ghosthouse (Umberto Lenzi, 1988)

Release date: 26/05/2003

Uncut

1.33:1 (open matte)

Trailers for Cannibal Holocaust, Mountain of the Cannibal God, Psychic Killer and Shogun Assassin

Image gallery & filmographies

                                                                                                                                                              

The House by the Cemetery (Lucio Fulci, 1981)

Release date: 05/2001

CUT (33 seconds)

2.35:1 non-anamorphic

Trailers for Cannibal Holocaust and Shogun Assassin

Image gallery & Fulci filmography

                                                                                                                                                             

Island of Death (Nico Mastortakis, 1975)

Release date: 2003

CUT VERSION (4+mins)

1.33:1 

Interview with Director Mastorakis

Trailers for Cannibal Holocaust, Mountain of the Cannibal God, Psychic Killer and Shogun Assassin

Image gallery & director filmography

                                                                                                                                                             

The Mountain of the Cannibal God (Sergio Martino, 1978)

Release date: 18/06/2001

CUT VERSION (2mins +)

2.35:1 non anamorphic (side A)

1.33:1 full frame (Side B)

Original theatrical trailer

Bio for Stacey Keach

Trailers for Cannibal Holocaust, Psychic Killer and Shogun Assassin

Image gallery & filmographies

                                                                                                                                                             

The Mutilator (Buddy Cooper, 1983)

Release date: 20/11/2000

CUT VERSION (7secs)

1.33:1

Picture gallery & Trailers

Also available in a limited edition box set with The Burning and Shogun Assassin

                                                                                                                                                              

Nightkill (Ted Post) 

Release date: 17/09/2001

Uncut

1.66:1 (some scenes are 1.33:1 and 1.78:1)

Trailers for Cannibal Holocaust, Mountain of the Cannibal God, Psychic Killer and Shogun Assassin

Image gallery & filmographies

Also available on Vipco's 'Cult Classics' range

                                                                                                                                                               
The Nostril Picker (Mark Nowicki, 1993?)
Release date: 2000
1.33:1
Trailers & picture gallery

                                                                                                                                                              

Vipco's Vault of Horror Collection Pt 1

List of 'Vault' releases with technical specs and features

                                                                                                                                                              

A Blade in the Dark (Lamberto Bava, 1983)
Release date:  21st January 2002

1.85:1 Anamorphic (yes, really)

English 2.0 mono

Uncut

Trailers for Cannibal Holocaust, Mountain of the Cannibal God, Psychic Killer, Shogun Assassin

Filmographies & Image gallery

                                                                                                                                                                 
And Now the Screaming Starts (Roy Ward Baker)
Release date: 20th January 2003
1.33:1 (Open matte)
Mono 2.0
Trailers for Cannibal Holocaust, Mountain of the Cannibal God, Psychic Killer, Shogun Assassin Filmographies & Image gallery

                                                                                                                                                                
Asylum (Roy Ward Baker, 1972)
Release date: 19th February 2001

1.33:1 (open matte)

Mono

Uncut

Trailer for the early Mel Gibson movie 'Tim'

Filmographies & Image gallery

                                                                                                                                                                 

The Beyond (Lucio Fulci, 1981)
Release date: 02/04/2001

2.35:1 non-anamorphic widescreen

Mono 2.0 (English)

Uncut

Trailers, Gallery, Fulci filmography

Also available in a full screen version

                                                                                                                                                                  

Blood Camp Thatcher (Brian Trenchard Smith, 1982) aka Turkey Shoot; Escape 2000
Release date:  23/06/2003

2.00:1 Non-anamorphic widescreen (oar is 2.35:1)

Mono 2.0

Uncut

Trailers for Cannibal Holocaust, Mountain of the Cannibal God, Psychic Killer, Shogun Assassin

Filmographies & Image gallery

                                                                                                                                                               

The Bogey Man (Ulli Lommel, 1981) aka The Boogeyman
Release Date: 18/09/2000

1.55:1 non-anamorphic widescreen

Uncut

Picture gallery

Trailers

                                                                                                                                                               

The Burning (Tony Maylam, 1981)
Release date: 13/10/2000

1.33:1 open matte

Trailers

Gallery

CUT VERSION

The Burning (Tony Maylam, 1981)
Release date: 04/11/2002

1.33:1 open matte

Uncut

Trailers for Cannibal Holocaust, Mountain of the Cannibal God, Psychic Killer, Shogun Assassin

Filmographies & Image gallery

                                                                                                                                                                 

Cannibal Ferox (Umberto Lenzi, 1981)
Release date: 12/03/2001

1.66:1 non-anamorphic widescreen

Mono 2.0

CUT VERSION (6mins)

Gallery, Trailers & filmographies

                                                                                                                                                                 

Cannibal Ferox 2 (Michele Massimo Trantini, 1985) aka Massacre in Dinosaur Valley
Release date: 13/05/2002

1.85:1 non-anamorphic widescreen

CUT VERSION (1min 54sec)

Trailers for Cannibal Holocaust, Mountain of the Cannibal God, Psychic Killer, Shogun Assassin

Filmographies & Image gallery

                                                                                                                                                             

Cannibal Holocaust (Ruggero Deodato, 1980)
Release date: 15/10/2001

1.66:1 non-anamorphic

CUT VERSION (5min 44secs)

Original Trailer

Gallery, filmographies, bonus trailers

Web link

                                                                                                                                  

Cannibal Holocaust - 25th Anniversary Edition (CUT VERSION as before)
Release date: 18/10/2004

1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen

English 5.1 Stereo

2.0 mono

Original trailer

Trailers for Mountain of the Cannibal God, Psychic Killer, Shogun Assassin

Filmographies & Image gallery

House on the Edge of the Park included as bonus disc

                                                                                                                                                             

Cannibal Holocaust 2 (Antonio Climati, 1988) aka The Green Inferno
Release date: 07/10/2002

1.33:1 open matte

CUT VERSION (11seconds)

Trailers for Cannibal Holocaust, Mountain of the Cannibal God, Psychic Killer, Shogun Assassin

Filmographies & Image gallery

                                                                                                                                                             

City of the Living Dead (Lucio Fulci, 1980) (Uncut)
Release date: 12/11/2001

1.85:1 non-anamorphic

Audio commentary with Catriona MaColl

Interview with Catriona MaColl (5mins)

Trailers for Cannibal Holocaust, Mountain of the Cannibal God, Psychic Killer, Shogun Assassin

Filmographies & Image gallery