The Batwoman is compared on Indicator's superior Blu-ray HERE

The Panther Women is compared on Indicator's superior Blu-ray HERE

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

ADDITION: VCI Blu-ray (January 2021): VCI have transferred two René Cardona films to Blu-ray; The Batwoman and The Panther Women to Blu-ray. They are both cited as being "4K restorations" and share the same dual-layered disc. This is surely a lie, as a true 4K-restoration has been in progress from the camera negative for almost two years and had a sneak preview in El Paso last year - see HERE.

Even though I am trying to give VCI some slack these days - these are both flawed transfers. The Batwoman either comes from a very soft video source or has some waxy DNR applied. I lean to the former but, regardless, it is abnormally soft. Not nearly sharp enough to fully rate Maura Monti's frame with any accuracy. She does seem to have great abs - if it's not a masked body double. I thought the haziness improved as the film rolled but I think there are only spots where the lighting minimizes it. Not very good at all - but watchable for the less discerning eye. Okay, The Panther Women - well - a totally different problem (although also has a waxiness, if less prominent) - the majority of the black and white 1080P is passable, but there are spots where black levels pulsate and turn into a muddy blob, losing all detail. We have included a few samples below. On the positive it is not prevalent in the majority of scenes - but once you see it you can't un-see it. Much worse than normal moiring. What a shame.    

NOTE: We have added 57 of each film - large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, VCI use linear PCM dual-tracks (16-bit) with only English Dubs offered. Purists (are there any purists for these films?) will no doubt be disappointed. The DUBs are so weak - with awkward translations - that it only adds to the camp value, imo. Audible - but not ideal. No scores or theme credits that I could ascertain but I loved the opening music to The Batwoman - so cheesy and lounge-like that I tried to order some wine. Really fits the mood, let me tell you.  VCI offer optional English, yellow, subtitles on their Region FREE Blu-ray.

The VCI Blu-ray offers only three Mexican 'wrestling hero' (*Luchador) film trailers as extras. I love them.

* "Luchador films (or Lucha Libre films) are Mexican professional wrestling / action / science-fiction / horror films starring some of the most popular masked luchadores in Lucha Libre. The luchadores are portrayed as superheroes engaging in battles against a range of characters from spies, to vampires and Martians." - Wikipedia

After all my bitching, I REALLY enjoyed René Cardona's The Batwoman and The Panther Women. If the government ever allows me have a party again - The Batwoman will be 'on repeat' the whole evening. What a load of fun and the dialogue is a big part. I can't wait to indulge more in these films that are totally immersed in pure kitsch. I have trouble believing the genre exists - they escalate way beyond being 'so bad they're good' - they are at another level. For the less finicky (I have my doubts Criterion will be picking these titles up), then, just let your hair down and have a lot of laughs.

NOTE: I've been told, from a private source, that this WILL be getting a proper release - with actual, real, materials and a Spanish track... so hold off!

Gary Tooze