The Firelight Shocks DVD Review Section

The Bloody Judge Distributor: Salvation Region: 0 Ratio: 2:35:1

This is not one of Jess Franco's best films (if I can actually get away with using such an expression) and a far cry from the demented She Killed in Ecstasy or the arty aspirations of Vampyros Lesbos. Still, it's certainly not Franco's worst movie - it's just kind of mediocre and therein lies the problem. After all, as utterly bollocks as Sadomania or The Female Vampire might be they are also quite unforgettable, albeit in a really perverse and shocking way. The Bloody Judge features Christopher Lee as the psychotic title character that presides over a trial where an innocent woman is accused of witchcraft. Lee decides that the woman is guilty and she is sentenced to death, in spite of her sister's pleas for mercy. What follows is a movie which tries to take in too many side stories - from an impending battle to a romantic sub plot - and it all gets a bit confused. In saying that, as far as rip-offs of The Witchfinder General go this one is less morally problematic than Mark of the Devil (although not nearly as wickedly nasty) and it is letterboxed at its correct ratio - looking better than it did on VHS. The quality of this disc certainly maintains the high standard that you expect from Salvation. This is obviously still worth getting if you're a fan of Jess (a Franco movie in pristine condition and widescreen to boot was almost unthinkable five years ago!), but there are numerous better films to be bought for the price.

EXTRAS: Nigel Wingrove's company have tried their best here (are you listening Vipco you bunch of fuckwits?) with a grainy theatrical trailer (from America, with the film re-titled Night of the Blood Monster) which must be considered a minor miracle even in spite of the pirate VHS look. There are also advertising materials, poster art and a picture gallery. Not bad considering the rarity of the movie. I mean, you didn't expect Christopher Lee to sit down and add a commentary track did you?