Customer Reviews

Russ Meyer Box Set Collection [Non-U.S. Format PAL Region 0 U.K. DVD Set]

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First off, if this set were widescreen, I'd give it 5 stars, but it's not, so I gave it 4 (EDIT: I didnt realize that these were actually filmed mostly in the standard or full screen ratio when I wrote this review, so I've added a star since). That is my only real gripe with this otherwise crucial set of Russ Meyer films. I guess another minor gripe would be that they didnt package the films in chronological order, but that probably wont bother most people.

If youre a fan of unique films, you have to get acquainted with Meyer, pronto. If you havent seen his films, quit wasting time, you dont know what youre missing. This set is totally worth the 80 bucks I dropped on it (it has kept me entertained for over a 2 weeks so far). It's not all-inclusive, but it does have most of his films, and the only ones that most people really want to see. Aside from Beyond the Valley of the Dolls, the few films omitted are minor works. To be honest, I dont think anyone would have missed Pandora Peaks if it had been left out.

So here's what youre getting into: Sometimes funny, sometimes frightening, always unique live action "cartoons" featuring hand picked actors and actresses who best represent the overly libidinous characters populating the warped universe Russ Meyer lives in. These films will shock and amaze you. You'll laugh, you'll cheer, you'll shake your head in disbelief. The good guys always win and the bad guys end up getting whats coming to them.

The films, to follow a general trend, started out as almost plotless "peepshows", then got more interesting in the mid sixties with dime store novel plots involving salacious and seedy characters in rural or southern locales. The films got gradually raunchier and even more cartoon-like into the seventies, culminating in his last three "real" films (2001's Pandora Peaks is generally not counted in Meyer's timeline by fans). You must see these films to believe them.

The set is awesome, even though it's mostly in fullscreen. My personal favorites in the set are Mudhoney, Faster Pussycat, Supervixens, Up!, and Beyond the Valley of the Ultravixens, though there are other gems included here as well. Fans of these may want to seek out the excellent Beyond the Valley of the Dolls as well (not included here). There are director commentaries, cast interviews and featurettes sprinkled throughout the various discs in the set. Lots to see here. I really cant recommend this set enough.

Just make sure you have a region free DVD player if you live in the states. This set is actually worth buying one for. Maybe one day RM films will authorize another all-inclusive set in widescreen in all regions. Until then, this region 2 is a great diversion.

Great transfers, very nice set, I wanted to write this review for people who think they can not watch region 0 DVD's or get this set because they are in the U.S or elsewhere, and share the fact that many DVD players can be made region free quite easily, I simply looked up the models of my DVD players players on google, and found simple remote unlocking codes for both my Marantz and Pioneer players and now both play any region DVD's without issue.

Worth every penny for fans. Includes interviews with producer, writer, sometime-actor, cameraman, director Russ Meyer himself and many of his actresses. Also, a few director's commentaries on the films which allow you the unique opportunity to watch them "with" Russ Meyer.

Is it art or is it porn? Having now seen every available Russ Meyer movie and read every book related to him, I can confidently say that his work is not porn. These are merely beautifully filmed and edited adult dramas and comedies driven by the theme of sex. Lots and lots of gorgeous big-bosomed women in various states of undress lusted after by lots and lots of incredibly stupid, determined, square-jawed men.

Every Meyer film is an exaggerated take on life, and that's the point of it. Or to put it even more simply, it's fun. Captivating, hilarious, baffling, unforgettable, ESSENTIAL fun.

Breast in Peace, Russ.