NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Vinegar Syndrome Blu-ray (September 2019): Vinegar Syndrome have transferred Secta Siniestra to Blu-ray in a "newly restored in 2k from its original 35mm camera negative". It is on a single-layered disc with a very high bitrate. It has the 80's stock heaviness, but it is consistent and connotes a film-like presentation. There is no noise or compression artifacts and only minor speckles but one vertical (and purple) scratch about 1/2 way through (43-minutes). I still suspect this is a strong HD digital representation of the theatrical viewing. Like most Vinegar Syndrome releases I felt very positive about the 1080P image quality.

On their Blu-ray, Vinegar Syndrome use a DTS-HD Master mono track (24-bit) in the original Spanish language. The film has some aggressive violent scenes that carry notable depth in the lossless plus a sneaky score by Enrique Escobar ("Hell in the Aegean" or "Twenty Paces to Death"), supporting the film reasonably well by adding some scattered flavor. Vinegar Syndrome offer optional English subtitles on their Region FREE  Blu-ray.

The Vinegar Syndrome Blu-ray has a fabulous commentary by Kat Ellinger. Kat talks about what a crazy film Secta Siniestra is, how the genre was in flux at the time it was made promoting a lot of creativity and artistic experimentation. She says discussing the film is hard since most of what has been written about it is negative - she finds this unfair and makes a strong case to defend it. She also talks about what was going on in Spanish cinema at the time of this production (Paul Naschy etc.), the film's frequent references - and significantly more. I'd say that Kat's commentary greatly increased my appreciation of the film and its inclusion amounts to an essential for the Blu-ray package. There is also a stills gallery and the package has a DVD and reversible cover artwork.

Well, I thank Kat for her honest impressions and analysis of Secta Siniestra. I agree that it is a 'wild' film - all over the place from zombies to 'Penthouse-level model postman - exorcism to eye-gouging blindness - from classy to sleazy. The lack of explanation is what adds to its oddball mystique - if you can give yourself over to it.  It's another "masterful restoration and distribution of cult, horror, and erotic films from the 1960s-90s" on Blu-ray from Vinegar Syndrome. Those who appreciate the genre should be very thankful. The Kat commentary sells it - buy and enjoy! 

Gary Tooze