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 S E A R C H    D V D B e a v e r

Directed by Don Jones, Mikel Angel
USA 1975

 

A string of murders in a posh neighborhood has the police department stumped and the local press is breathing down their necks. Strangely, nobody notices that several victims share the same gardener, a bent, elderly man with a crippled arm named Caleb (Erik Stern, Assassination.) Even though all of the murder weapons are lawn care tools, Caleb remains above suspicion. Of course, it isn’t Caleb doing the killing, but rather his second personality, a confident, handsome younger brother named Lester (also played by Erik Stern) who Caleb turns into when he dons a toupee. That’s when he seduces and then slashes his employers, most of whom heap insults and derision upon Caleb as he works. Lester dons a variety of disguises to “gain entry,” employing false accents and charming patter to bed down his victims. The two personalities battle when alone, though, and one of them will eventually have to overcome the other. Richard Kennedy (Candy Tangerine Men), Robin Sherwood (Tourist Trap) co-star. Directed by Mikel Angel and Don Jones (The Forest).

***

The twisted tale of Caleb, and his alter ego Lester. After being pushed around too far, Caleb transforms into Lester and returns to those who have wronged him.

Posters

Theatrical Release: December 1st, 1975

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Review: Code Red - Region FREE - Blu-ray

Box Cover

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Bonus Captures:
Distribution Code Red - Region FREE - Blu-ray
Runtime 1:24:41.117        
Video

2.35:1 1080P Single-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 24,643,611,227 bytes

Feature: 24,516,993,024 bytes

Video Bitrate: 34.59 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate Blu-ray:

Audio

DTS-HD Master Audio English 1840 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1840 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Commentary:

Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps
Subtitles None
Features Release Information:
Studio: Code Red

 

2.35:1 1080P Single-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 24,643,611,227 bytes

Feature: 24,516,993,024 bytes

Video Bitrate: 34.59 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

Edition Details:

• NEW Audio Commentary by director Don Jones and R.A Rugged Man / Lee Christian (Code Red)


 Blu-ray Release Date: June 1st, 2021
 Standard Blu-ray Case

Chapters 9

 

 

Comments:

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

ADDITION: Code Red Blu-ray (May 2021): Code Red have re-transferred Don Jones' The Love Butcher to Blu-ray. It was originally released by them on Blu-ray in 2015 (and a 2013 DVD before that.) This 1080P transfer has a date of February this year, 2021. It is on a single-layered disc in the 2.35:1 aspect ratio. The image is fraught with small marks, extensive cue-blip markers (see below) but doesn't look bad on my system, if showing infrequent inconsistencies and having a video-softness with little depth. There is a vertical scratch that persists for a few scenes near the beginning. It has moments that look quite strong but to improve further would require a film-level restoration, that is likely not coming for this film.   

NOTE: We have added 32 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Code Red use a DTS-HD Master 2.0 channel track (24-bit) in the original English language. There are aggressive effects loud screams that don't stand-out with abundance bass. The score is credited to Richard Hieronymus (The Forest, Aunt Peg's Fulfillment, Co-Ed Fever, The Ecstasy Girls, Teen Lust, Sweater Girls) and adds flavor to the slasher-horror elements of the film. Code Red offer no subtitles, and only one menu, on their Region FREE Blu-ray.

The Code Red Blu-ray offer the repeated commentary by director Don Jones and R.A Rugged Man / Lee Christian (Code Red.) It was recorded a while ago and they discusses the production rather vaguely, fun with Jones and it seems less-serious but informative. There are no other supplements.

The Love Butcher has a few positives... and also negatives. It was better and more competently made than I was expecting. It's a product of its time and fans of 70's and this genre will certainly find things to like. The multiple-personalities angle is played out kinda well - kudos to Erik Stern (really James Lemp) although an intentionally ham-fisted portrayal as Caleb, the dim-witted, handicapped gardener. The Love Butcher is paced well enough to enjoy its discordant evolution hampering the tension. It would be easy to critique the film's weaknesses and less-fitting scenes - but overall, a genre effort made for fans. It is that group that will enjoy the Code Red Blu-ray's HD presentation, minor warts and all, that augment the nostalgic 70's feel of the film.

Gary Tooze

 

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Cue Blips and Damage

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Examples of NSFW (Not Safe For Work) - Mouse Over - click to enlarge

 

 

 

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Box Cover

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Bonus Captures:
Distribution Code Red - Region FREE - Blu-ray


 


 

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