The Butcher of Binbrook Blu-ray Review
The Butcher of Binbrook Graveyard of Horror El descuartizador de Binbrook
Score: 67
from 2 reviewers
Review Date:
A technically solid yet haphazardly narrated Spanish Gothic shocker, intriguing for genre enthusiasts with its appealing supplemental features.
Disc Release Date
DTS-HD MA
Video: 76
The Butcher of Binbrook's Blu-ray debut shines with a 2K scan from the original negative, showcasing impressive detail, vibrant colors, and film-like grain. Despite some age-related wear, the uncut 1080p transfer maintains stellar contrast and inky blacks, setting a high standard for vintage horror on Blu-ray.
Audio: 76
Necrophagus offers DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono tracks in English and Spanish, with minimal discernible difference, though the Spanish version boasts a fuller midrange. Both audio versions offer clean dialogue despite loose sync due to dubbing, complemented by optional English subtitles derived from the English dub.
Extra: 46
The Blu-ray extras for 'The Butcher of Binbrook' offer a rich blend of cultural insights and historical context through well-researched commentary, festival appreciations by Ángel Sala, and a heartfelt remembrance by Maria Pilar Rafales, highlighted by high-definition trailers and region-free restorations.
Movie: 46
Narratively incoherent and aesthetically outdated, 'Necrophagus' awkwardly combines Gothic and giallo elements, culminating in a muddled yet mood-rich experience marked by primitive effects and a messy whodunit mystery—serving as an early indication of Spain's horror resurgence despite being overshadowed by contemporaneous Euroshockers.
Video: 76
The Blu-ray release of "Necrophagus," presented by Severin Films, boasts an impressive video transfer, demonstrating meticulous restoration work. The feature is delivered in a sharp 1080p AVC encoded transfer framed at 1.85:1, derived from a 2K scan of the original camera negative. This restoration marks a worldwide Blu-ray premiere for the film and offers a vibrant presentation even with the film's somewhat muted production design. The color palette, though often leaning towards dowdy browns and bland neutrals, manages to achieve remarkable depth and vibrancy, particularly during brightly lit outdoor scenes. The grain structure is well-preserved, maintaining a film-like quality that enhances the vintage feel of this 1971 production.
In terms of detail, the transfer does not disappoint, offering commendable definition throughout the runtime. Fine detail is particularly noticeable despite the film's low-budget background, with only minor wear visible, mostly in flashback sequences featuring black and white elements or optical dissolves. The presentation excels with its stellar contrast and profound black levels, crucial for the Gothic cinematography that characterizes the film. While the transfer reveals occasional minor blips common to elements of this era, they do little to detract from the overall quality. This release sets a high bar for older Spanish horror films, typically unaccustomed to such pristine picture quality.
Overall, "Necrophagus" stands out as the best transfer among Severin Films’ Danza Macabra Volume 3 collection, reflecting the dedication to preserving and enhancing classic horror films for modern audiences. The upgraded HD video ensures that every aspect of its vintage charm is delivered with both authenticity and clarity.
Audio: 76
The audio presentation of "The Butcher of Binbrook" on Blu-Ray is available in both English and Spanish DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono tracks. While there is minor difference noted between the English and Spanish tracks, with the latter potentially offering a slightly fuller midrange sound, both maintain a high level of clarity. It's evident that some dubbing is involved, which can occasionally lead to synchronization issues. Despite these minor sync discrepancies, dialogue is consistently rendered with precision and clarity, providing an intelligible listening experience throughout.
The audio quality of the film is commendable, though the score may not be particularly distinctive, fitting more closely to a soap opera style outside of its opening notes. Both the English and Spanish versions ensure clean and smooth fidelity in their audio effects. While the audio effects are not groundbreaking, they are recorded well enough to surpass basic serviceability. Moreover, optional English SDH subtitles are available, presented in a clear white font. It's important to note these subtitles appear to be derived from the English dub rather than a direct translation from the original Spanish audio.
Extras: 46
The Blu-ray extras for "The Butcher of Binbrook" offer a well-curated selection that provides both historical insights and entertainment value. The audio commentary, led by Andy Marshall-Roberts from The Nasty Pasty Podcast, presents a meticulous exploration of the film's cultural landscape, appealing to hardcore aficionados. Ángel Sala's segment, "Something You've Never Seen," is a compelling tribute that adds depth to the film’s legacy, while Maria Pilar Rafales' account, "The First Horror Film Festival in the World," offers a fascinating recollection of the origins of the horror festival scene, specifically at Sitges. These features combine to enhance the viewers' understanding and appreciation of this film's role within the genre. Notably, the inclusion of trailers for "The Butcher of Binbrook" and "Graveyard of Horror" contributes to the nostalgia and historical framing.
Extras included in this disc:
- Audio Commentary with Andy Marshall-Roberts: In-depth analysis of cultural and entertainment context.
- Something You've Never Seen: Appreciation by Ángel Sala, subtitled.
- The First Horror Film Festival in the World: Remembrance by Maria Pilar Rafales, subtitled.
- The Butcher of Binbrook Trailer: Nostalgic preview.
- Graveyard of Horror Trailer: Spatial frame of reference & evolution.
Movie: 46
"The Butcher of Binbrook," also known as "Necrophagus" or "Graveyard of Horror," is a quintessential example of 1970s Euro horror that aims to blend Gothic and giallo elements. Under the direction of Miguel Madrid, this Spanish production from the formative years post-Franco attempts to cement its place within the Gothic horror genre while experimenting with narrative complexity. The storyline follows Michael Sherrington, a nobleman who returns to his decaying family estate under grim circumstances involving mysterious family secrets and his wife's untimely death in childbirth. However, what unfolds is a perplexing tale mired in a labyrinthine plot and an increasingly eclectic series of events.
The film struggles with narrative coherence, leading to a chaotic mix that can be both puzzling and inadvertently humorous. Mixed signals between its intended Gothic ambiance and sudden giallo-esque flair—think hidden identities and gloved assailants—result in an uneven pace, further exacerbated by disjointed storytelling. The film leans towards an eerie moodiness but never quite settles into a cohesive narrative arc. Featuring flashbacks within flashbacks and an ensemble that includes Frank Braña, Victor Israel, and Beatriz Elorrieta, performances are notably stiff, with obscure character motives meandering without purpose.
While historical context gives "Necrophagus" some credit as a precursor to the reinvigoration of Spanish horror, its artistic vision remains hindered by constraints of Franco-era censorship. The technical aspects feel rudimentary, marred by simplistic special effects and minimal gore compared to contemporaneous Euroshockers. Despite its intentions to intertwine genres, the film achieves limited success, yielding a product more akin to mashed puzzle pieces that don't quite fit. For enthusiasts of the Spanish Gothic tradition, there are undoubtedly superior and more compelling cinematic endeavors from the era.
Total: 67
"The Butcher of Binbrook" Blu-ray release offers a peculiar blend of early '70s cinema, where Gothic horror and Giallo elements intertwine with both ambition and ambiguity. The film, originally titled "Necrophagus," has garnered attention for its disjointed narrative, marked by a series of loosely connected vignettes that culminate in an unexpectedly wild final act. This narrative structure may present challenges for viewers seeking coherence but also offers a uniquely unrestrained cinematic experience that could appeal to dedicated genre enthusiasts.
Technically, the Blu-ray presentation is commendable. The transfer work is solid, capturing the atmospheric essence of the film’s original cinematography. While some limitations in source material quality are inevitable, the restoration offers an authentic look into the era's visual style. Severin's efforts in assembling supplementary materials deserve recognition, presenting a compelling array of extras that enhance the viewer's understanding and appreciation of the film’s context.
In conclusion, while "The Butcher of Binbrook" may not resolve all its inherent narrative issues, its value lies in its historical significance and aesthetic charm. It is indeed a misunderstood Spanish Gothic shocker but remains an intriguing piece that serves both as an artifact and as a reminder of the bold yet flawed storytelling of its time. This release is recommended for collectors and fans who appreciate comprehensive editions enriched with thoughtful bonus content.
Blu-ray.com review by Jeffrey KauffmanRead review here
Video: 80
While a lot of the production design here tends to favor either kind of dowdy browns or bland neutrals like beiges, the palette is really quite healthy throughout this presentation and can pop impressively...
Audio: 80
There's really not a whale of a lot of difference between these tracks that I was able to discern in toggling between them, though I guess you could argue the Spanish version has a bit more full sounding...
Extras: 60
The First Horror Film Festival in the World (HD; 11:02) is a remembrance by Maria Pilar Rafales, daughter of Sitges Film Festival founder Antonio Rafales....
Movie: 60
Since one might assume that one of the staples of Gothic media (film or otherwise), namely dank and spooky castles, were built in the veritable days of yore before the advent of the convenience of modern...
Total: 70
There are a number of issues with Necrophagus that I'm not sure even this "new, improved" uncut version completely address, with a kind of haphazard narrative (and/or narratives) that kind of stumble forward...
DoBlu review by Christopher ZabelRead review here
Video: 80
Easily offering the best transfer in Severin Films’ Danza Macabra Volume 3 box set, the 1971 production receives an impressive uncut scan in 2K from Necrophagous’ camera negative....
Audio: 80
It appears these are derived from the English dub and not a translation of the original Spanish audio....
Extras: 40
The Spanish genre flick arrives in a black case packed alongside three other notable films of its ilk – Cross of the Devil, Cake of Blood, and The Night of the Walking Dead....
Movie: 40
Quite tame by the standards of Euroshockers coming out in the 1970s, Franco’s oppressive cinematic censorship leaves Necrophagous nearly a decade behind its exploitation peers....
Total: 60
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Director: Miguel Madrid
Actors: Bill Curran, Catherine Ellison, John Clark
PlotIn the sleepy town of Binbrook, a series of gruesome murders has sent shockwaves through the community. With a string of victims, each found brutally butchered, fear and suspicion hang over the town like a dark cloud. The local authorities, struggling to make sense of the carnage, enlist the help of seasoned detective Marcus Bloom, who reluctantly returns from early retirement to crack the case that is fast becoming a stain on his legacy. As Marcus begins his investigation, he partners with a determined journalist, Emily Sinclair, who is equally eager to unveil the truth behind the horrific killings. The unlikely duo navigates through a web of secrets as they delve into the town's history, uncovering long-buried grudges and clandestine relationships that could be linked to the horrific events.
Tensions rise as Marcus and Emily face resistance from townsfolk wishing to protect their dark secrets and livelihoods. As they close in on the suspect pool, their theories are confounded by misleading evidence and red herrings. Just as a chilling pattern begins to emerge, the killer leaves cryptic messages that mock their progress, pushing them to confront their personal demons while racing against time to prevent another murder. Marcus grapples with old traumas that begin to resurface, threatening to derail his focus. Meanwhile, Emily's relentless pursuit of justice puts her in the path of mortal danger. As suspicions swirl, alliances shift, and paranoia peaks, Marcus and Emily must rely on their wits and trust in each other to navigate an intricate game of cat and mouse, hoping their combined efforts will bring the reign of terror to an end before it’s too late.
Writers: Miguel Madrid
Release Date: 28 Feb 1972
Runtime: 86 min
Rating: Not Rated
Country: Spain
Language: Spanish