NOTE: 54 more more full resolution (3840 X 2160) 4K UHD captures, in lossless PNG format, for Patrons are available HERE

We have recently reviewed the following 4K UHD packages: Three Days of the Condor (software uniformly simulated HDR),Witness (software uniformly simulated HDR), Fascination (software uniformly simulated HDR), Lips of Blood (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Others (no HDR), It Came From Outer Space (software uniformly simulated HDR), Don't Look Now, Rosemary's Baby (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Last Wave (no HDR), The Train (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Trial (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Walkabout (software uniformly simulated HDR), Black Magic Rites, The Night of the Hunted (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Rape of the Vampire (software uniformly simulated HDR), Gorgo (software uniformly simulated HDR), Akira Kurosawa's Dreams (software uniformly simulated HDR),  The Man From Hong Kong (software uniformly simulated HDR), One False Move, The Tall T (software uniformly simulated HDR), Cold Eyes of Fear (software uniformly simulated HDR), Rules of the Game (no HDR), The Manchurian Candidate (software uniformly simulated HDR), After Hours, Rain Man (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Changeling (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Night of the Hunter (software uniformly simulated HDR), 12 Angry Men (software uniformly simulated HDR), Branded to Kill (no HDR), Picnic at Hanging Rock (software uniformly simulated HDR), Two Orphan Vampires, The Shiver of the Vampires, Drowning By Number (software uniformly simulated HDR), Serpico (software uniformly simulated HDR), Cool Hand Luke (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Seventh Seal (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Maltese Falcon (software uniformly simulated HDR).

On their 4K UHD, Canadian International Pictures use a linear DTS-HD Master 2.0 channel track (24-bit) in the original English language. This is probably where "East End Hustle" shows its most production limitations. The track is authentically flat but dialogue is a bit scattered and may require a volume pump. It's the only notable weakness in the HD presentation. There is a synthesizer-utilized score by Canadian writer Len Blum (his only composer credit and who was better known as a writer; for such films as Heavy Metal, Stripes, Meatballs, 2006's The Pink Panther etc.) Also in the film are "Where Are All the Girls" by Steve Wright. Canadian International Pictures include an isolated score track and an audio descriptive track option. Both discs offers optional English (SDH) subtitles - and, like all 4K UHD, is region FREE, playable worldwide. The Blu-ray is region 'A'-locked.  

The rest of the extras are on the second disc Blu-ray, that shares with a 1080P transfer of the feature. East End Director is a new 18-minute interview with writer-director Frank Vitale recalling the production and efforts bringing it to fruition. The Art Bug is also new and has Vitale on Montreal Main and his career before East End Hustle for just over 8-minutes. East End Troma spends 14-minutes in a new interview with distributor Lloyd Kaufman, the American film director, screenwriter, producer and actor. Alongside producer Michael Herz, he is the co-founder of Troma Entertainment. Kaufman’s Canada has Kaufman reflecting on his Canadian connections. Renegade Films is another new interview - this time with writer Bill Brownstein on Cinépix (that produced Vincent Gallo's Buffalo '66 and evolved into Lionsgate Films) and its co-founder John Dunning, the pioneering Canadian film producer from Montreal. There is a new 1/4 hour audio interview with composer Len Blum. Early in his career he was a rock musician and songwriter who did studio productions, and produced radio commercials. Lastly there is a theatrical trailer. The package includes a booklet featuring a new essay by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas author of Rape Revenge Films and there is a reversible cover artwork (see below.)

Being Canadian myself, I am quite keen on the Canuxploitation genre. Frank Vitale's 1975 "East End Hustle" may fit in many people's description. It is a gritty mix of vérité Indie and exploitation with nudity ('female' and a bit of 'male'), sex and assault - nothing of an erotic nature though. The plot has a focus but wanders through some flashbacks. Despite requiring some decent production values (sets and wardrobe), I thought it was far better than I was anticipating. Andrée Pelletier is excellent as Cindy, and is the daughter of Gérard Pelletier, a former journalist and ambassador to France and then ambassador to the United Nations (1981–1984.). Andrée is a multiple Canadian acting award winner. "East End Hustle" centers on the exploitation of women with a keen revenge angle. It's rough. The Canadian International Pictures' 4K UHD package is so impressive for the work put into it; restored in 4K for a highly impressive image, new extras including a revealing commentary and multiple interviews, a booklet and more. Bravo. The film will appeal to a niche of both 70's Indie-expression and the Canuxploitation genre fans.

Gary Tooze