Thriller: A Cruel Picture (Synapse Films) Review

Distributor: Synapse Films Edition Details: Limited Edition DVD Movie Specs: Genres: Golden Age Classic, Feature Film, Action, Drama, Foreign Also known as: Thriller: En Grym Film, They Call Her One Eye, Hooker's Revenge Run Time: 106 minutes Rated: X Release Year: 1973 Director: Bo Arne Vibenius (as Alex Fridolinski) Written by: Bo Arne Vibenius (as Bo A. Vibenius and Alex Fridolinksi) Cast: Christina Lindberg, Heinz Hopf, Despina Tomazini, Per-Axel Arosenius (as Per Axel Arosenius), Solveig Andersson, Björn Kristiansson, Marie-Louise Mannervall, Hildur Lindberg, Stig Lokrantz, Olle Nordlander, Marshall McDough (as Marshal McDonagh), Gunnar Palm, Pamela Pethö-Galantai, Lennart Robertsson, Hans-Eric Stenborg, Stig Ström, Lars Sääv, Bruno Sörwing, Gunnel Wadner, Lars Lundgren, Bo Arne Vibenius, Romeo, Julia Release Specs: Audio: English Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono (dubbed), Swedish Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono Subtitles: English Video: Widescreen, 1.78:1 (anamorphic) Video Format: NTSC Format: DVD Regional Code (for DVD/Blu-ray): 0 (All) Number of discs: 1

Thriller: A Cruel Picture is an extremely well done exploitation film which tells the story of Madeleine (or Frigga depending on which version you are listening to) (Christina Lindberg) who is sexually molested as a child by an old man. The molestation leaves her mute and as a teenager on the way to see her therapist, she is abducted by Tony (Heinz Hopf), who gets her addicted to heroin and turns her into a prostitute. When she fights a customer, Tony gouges one of her eyes out. Madeleine secretly learns all forms of self defense so she can get her revenge.

Thriller: A Cruel Picture is well written. The film slowly builds, from the beginning of when Madeleine begins her journey to the out pour of violence that comes as a result. Thriller: A Cruel Picture isn't a film that forces gore and violence down your throat throughout the film, there is actually very little of either in the film. However, some of the scenes are brutal, like when Madeleine's eye is gouged out, which according to rumor was shot using a corpse for realism.

The uncut version of Thriller: A Cruel Picture contains hardcore scenes that Bo Arne Vibenius shot for the film. Fans of Lindberg will be sad to know that she doesn't participate in them. The hardcore scenes were shot using a couple that used the stage names Romeo and Julia (which is Romeo and Juliet in Sweden), that traveled and performed live sex shows. The footage is well integrated into the film and if you didn't know you wouldn't know it was other actors and actresses in the footage. The footage isn't erotic but it does add to the gritty nature of the finished film.

Vibenius took good care with the film and the art design with some beautiful shots along with Madeleine's eye patch, which changes to match her clothing. It is worth noting that Madeleine's matching eye patch was the inspiration for Elle Driver's eye patch in Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill: Vol. 1 and Kill Bill: Vol. 2. All in all, Thriller: A Cruel Picture is a well done but very gritty grindhouse vengeance exploitation film. It will certainly not appeal to all viewers but it is well worth seeking out.

Synapse has done a great job with this release of Thriller: A Cruel Picture. This release has the uncut version of the film that includes hardcore footage and is a limited edition with only 25,000 copies made. Thriller: A Cruel Picture is presented in the anamorphic widescreen aspect ratio of 1.78:1. The transfer contains grain, artifacts and print damage. Colors are represented beautifully.

Thriller: A Cruel Picture is presented with a Swedish Dolby Digital 2.0 monaural track in the original language. There is also a dubbed English Dolby Digital 2.0 monaural track for the film. Both are slightly different, as Christina Lindberg's character is Madeleine in the Swedish version and Frigga in the English version. Both tracks sounds good and dialog is clear and easy to understand. There are removable English subtitles for the disc.

Synapse has included several extras on this release. There is a booklet with linear notes by Robert Marcucci. There are four trailers for the film included on the release. There is a one minute long outtake reel. There is a five minute reconstruction of the alternate harbor fight that was used in the They Call Her One Eye version of the film. There is a under a minute feature “Movie In Pictures,” which shows the film through still images flashing on the screen. There are five still galleries. There is also a filmography for Bo Arne Vibenius and Christina Lindberg.

Thriller: A Cruel Picture may just be the vengeance film to end all vengeance film. It is exploitation at its best. The film is low budget but works well within its constraints. The version included on the limited edition is the uncut version that includes the hardcore footage shot by director Bo Arne Vibenius as well. For fans of the genre, this is a must see. Synapse has done a great job with the release. The transfer is in beautiful shape and the disc includes English and Swedish audio tracks along with removable English subtitles. Synapse has collected some excellent extras to go with the release as well. This release is well worth the money.

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