Santa Sangre (1989)

"Superb 4K Restoration of an Art House Horror Classic"

Severin Films are releasing a gorgeous, extras-packed four disc set of Alejandro Jodorowsky's classic 1989 SANTA SANGRE.

Fenix (Axel Jodorowsky) is an adult inmate at an institution. We see through a lengthy flashback that he spent his early years in the circus, being the son of Orgo the knife thrower (Guy Stockwell) and Concha the trapeze artist (Blanca Guerra). Unfortunatelty Orgo had designs on the tattooed lady (Thelma Tixou) leading to a liason that was rudely disrupted by Concha pouring acid on his genitals. In revenge Orgo sliced off her arms before cutting his own throat.

The film then moves back to the present day. The significance of showing the grown Fenix at the very beginning suggests the flashback we see may be just in his mind rather than real events, and that sets up how we are expected to view the rest of the film.

Spying Concha through an open window, Fenix escapes and the two go on to create a bizarre act where Fenix acts as his mother's hands. He also becomes her hands when she feels the need to kill women, and soon a patch of land near where he lives is filling up with bodies. Might his salvation lie with Alma, a girl from his past who cannot hear or speak but is now actively searching for him?

SANTA SANGRE was previously released on UK Blu-ray by Mr Bongo Films. Severin's new restoration is an absolute eye-opener compared with that disc and anyone who loves this film needs to get the Severin edition. Discs one and two have the film - on 4KUHD and 1080p Blu-ray respectively. Only the Blu-ray was provided for review but even that is a vast improvement over the previous release, with the colours being so vibrant it's like the film was made yesterday.

Extras ported over from the old Blu-ray include a Jodorowsky-Alan Jones commentary, both on the film and on seven minutes of deleted scenes of VHS quality. New to the disc is a 32 minute talking head piece from the director who talks about the making of the film.

Disc three is packed with extras, including a wealth of interview material - producer Claudio Argento (38 minutes), DP Daniele Nannuzzi (42 minutes), editor Mauro Bonanni (21 minutes), writer Roberto Leoni (29 minutes) and executive producer Angelo Iacono (21 minutes). Other bits and pieces include the film's 30th anniversary showing in Mexico City (a bit heavy on the mime, that one), a 2003 Jodorowsky interview (33 minutes) and London Q&A (25 minutes). There's also a Simon Boswell music video and Boswell and Jodorowsky in conversation. Disc four is the original soundtrack album by Simon Boswell.

Alejandro Jodorowsky's SANTA SANGRE is out in the UK in a special four disc set from Severin Films on Monday 29th July 2024