Sinful Dwarf: XXX Version, The Review

Distributor: Severin Edition Details: Limited Collector's Edition Blu-ray Release Specs: Video Format: NTSC Format: Blu-ray Regional Code (for DVD/Blu-ray): 0 (All) Number of discs: 1

Severin has done an acceptable job with their limited edition Blu-ray release for The Sinful Dwarf. Not only have they included two different versions of the twisted film but they have collected a wealth of extras which includes the Danish adult film The Blue Balloon. You can jump to the review of The Sinful Dwarf or The Blue Balloon or just keep reading to read them all.

The Sinful Dwarf is a twisted and disturbing adult film that was made in Denmark. Ex-cabaret singer Lily Lash (Clara Keller) and her son Olaf (Torben Bille), a dwarf, run a boarding house at the site of a former nightclub. The two hide a dark secret inside the boarding house. In the attic drugged up kidnapped women are kept and pimped out. Writer Peter (Tony Eades) and his wife Mary (Anne Sparrow) stay at Lila and Olaf's boarding house. While Peter looks for a job, Olaf eyes Mary to add to the attic collection.

The Sinful Dwarf is a demented little tale, which won't score high on the erotica scale but always manages to entertain the viewer. There is almost no actual hardcore footage used within the film and, to be honest, the hardcore material doesn't add to the film at all. None of the footage in the film is very erotic. Even when Peter and Mary make love, they feel detached from each other.

The Sinful Dwarf relishes its weirdness and depravity. Bille does a great job as the titular dwarf, he manages to bring depth to his character with the limited material he has to work with. Keller also does a good job as his mother. The story isn't overly complex nor is it overly developed, however for what the film is doing, it is sufficient to hold the viewer's interest.

The Sinful Dwarf isn't a great film nor is it a film that most people will enjoy watching. For the right viewer though, The Sinful Dwarf offers an interesting cinematic experience.

Severin has done an acceptable job with the limited edition Blu-ray for The Sinful Dwarf. Severin has limited the release to 3,000 copies. The disc includes two different versions of The Sinful Dwarf. The international version, which was the version that was released by Harry Novak's Box Office International Pictures, that has the hardcore footage removed and some alternate footage in the film and the original Danish version of the film, which has all of the original hardcore footage intact, are both on the disc. Both versions are presented in the full screen aspect ratio of 1.33:1. The international version is in the best shape, which isn't to say that the Danish version is in bad shape. The international version is presented in 1080p and contains heavy grain, artifacts, print damage, and the color is washed out in a few places. The Danish version mostly utilizes the footage from the international version. For the alternate hardcore footage that was in the Danish version a different print has been used. The alternate print is in rougher shape with a darker image and more damage. While it is noticeable where the alternate print was used the footage isn't in horrible shape. The colors look good.

The international version of The Sinful Dwarf is presented with an English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 monaural track, which sounds nice. The dialog is clear and easy to hear and sounds good. The Danish version of The Sinful Dwarf is presented with an English Dolby Digital 2.0 monaural track, which also sounds very good with clear and easy to hear dialog.

Severin has put some great extras on this release. The theatrical trailer for The Sinful Dwarf has been included on the release along with the trailer that Severin created for their 2009 DVD release of The Sinful Dwarf. There are also radio spots for The Sinful Dwarf. “The Trail of Torben” is an 8 minute piece that goes into what little known history of the film is known, some legends about the film, and Severin's attempt to track down any cast or crew members to talk about the film. “Novak: The Sultan of Sinema” is a 6 minute piece on Harry Novak, who's Box Office International Pictures released the international version of The Sinful Dwarf. “Friend of Foe: The Severin Controversy” is a 10 minute spoof documentary made by Severin to market their 2009 The Sinful Dwarf DVD.

Severin has also included a scene from the 1974 adult film The Hottest Show in Town. The Hottest Show in Town was a Danish adult film in which The Sinful Dwarf star Torben Bille handled the props and he also appears to have also been an uncredited actor in the film as well. The scene featured on the release features the actor who is, most likely, Torben Bille. The six minute scene was from Vinegar Syndrome who, according to the disc, has an upcoming release with The Hottest Show in Town on it. As of the time of printing Vinegar Syndrome had not responded to a request for information on this release. Severin has also included the entire 1974 Danish adult film The Blue Balloon on this release. The Blue Balloon was reportedly produced by the same people who produced The Sinful Dwarf. The print for The Blue Balloon was also supplied by Vinegar Syndrome. A review of The Blue Balloon is also included in this review.

The transfer for The Sinful Dwarf looks rough and it will never be a release you use to show off what an adult film can look like on Blu-ray. However, this is probably the best it ever will look. Looking at the release that way, Severin has done a great job with this release and has included another film on top of it all. If you are a fan of The Sinful Dwarf, this is a release you will want to add to your collection.

The Blue Balloon is a nasty Danish roughie. Cynthia Peterson (Lisbeth Olsen) meets Kevin Walker (Bent Rohweder), who is entering the army shortly, in a club. The two have a short courtship then tie the knot before Kevin boards his bus to leave. During their courtship Pauline, a mysterious woman, watches them from afar. In the bus station, Pauline comes up to the upset Cynthia, offers to console her, drugs her, and kidnaps her bringing her to a remote beach house. After Pauline has her way with Cynthia, she pimps her out.

The Blue Balloon is a dark miserable adult film, which is sure to bring down any viewer that watches it. The film starts with the courtship and marriage of Cynthia and Kevin, which is nice lighthearted fare. However, once kidnapped by Pauline, the film gets dark really fast. Sordid scene after sordid scene where Cynthia is taken without her consent. Then after, Cynthia's abandonment of her original life, instead choosing a life of street hooking.

The end, which I won't give away, gives a hint at something better possible, but given the situation of the two principles it is an outcome that doesn't seem that realistic. Even with the hint of a better tomorrow, The Blue Balloon still leaves you down at the end.

The sex being presented within the film isn't that overly erotic. It is stark and frank more intent on showing you the graphic sexual activity going on than trying to find any beauty in it. The film itself comes across as very quickly and cheaply made. This version appears to have been dubbed and there is no indication as to whether the multitude of cheesy sounding lines had any connection to what was originally said.

The Blue Balloon is a hard film to recommend. It is sad and depressing. It is cheap. It isn't erotic. And it will leave you depressed.

Severin has done an good job with the release of The Blue Balloon. The Blue Balloon is presented in the full screen aspect ratio of 1.33:1. The print used for The Blue Balloon, which was provided by Vinegar Syndrome, has seen much better days. The print suffers from heavy print damage, heavy artifacts, and heavy grain. In no way is this a disc you will use to show off what an adult film can look like in Blu-ray format. Despite being rough the film is watchable and given the rarity of this one, one can't complain too much.

The Blue Balloon is presented with an English Dolby Digital 2.0 monaural track. Dialog is clear and can be heard at all times. In the beginning of the film the audio is damaged which causes some distortion. The available audio track appears to be dubbed and not the original audio for the film.

Severin hasn't included any extras for The Blue Balloon on this release.

Severin has done an acceptable job with their limited edition Blu-ray release for The Sinful Dwarf. The Sinful Dwarf, despite being a hardcore film, isn't what you would expect from an adult film nor is it erotic. It is a twisted creepy film though for the right viewer. Not only has Severin included two different versions of the twisted film but they have collected a wealth of extras which includes the Danish adult film The Blue Balloon. The transfer for the international version of The Sinful Dwarf is rough and the transfer for the Danish version of The Sinful Dwarf isn't as good but is very watchable. The transfer for The Blue Balloon is rather rough but is watchable.

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