2026 Subscribers: This is NOT included in your Subscription. If you'd like to purchase it, you will need to login to view your special 50% off SRP pricing.
FACES OF DEATH is part of our Vinegar Syndrome Archive collection, celebrating forgotten cinematic oddities from the video store era. This collection was inspired by our own brick & mortar video stores, with locations in Bridgeport, CT, Denver, CO, Toronto, ON, and Pittsburgh, PA.
Unique to this line, each numbered limited edition release will come fitted in a specially designed, bottom loading VHS inspired slipcase, while also including a double-sided poster.
The limited edition slipcase (designed by Steak Mtn.) was limited to 5,000 units and is sold out.
---
What question has plagued mankind more than the mystery—and terror—of death? This forbidden pursuit has driven Dr. Frances B. Gröss to the brink of madness, but in his obsession, he has amassed a uniquely comprehensive collection of films that depict life in its final, grueling moments. From the savagery of cold-blooded murder to the perverse realities of war, tragic accidents, and the everyday lives of those who collect, dissect, and bury the dead, this descent into morbidity lays bare a truth that all of us will one day face.
One of the most banned, censored, controversial, and notorious films ever made, FACES OF DEATH (1979) changed cinema forever. A surprise home video blockbuster that spawned three sequels, the film was immediately met with praise and condemnation, along with legions of fans and hordes of protestors. Skillfully combining grueling imagery depicting the stark reality of mortality, blended with cleverly staged, ultra-gory re-enactments of murders, suicides, executions, and more too horrible to imagine, Vinegar Syndrome Archive is excited to at last bring FACES OF DEATH to 4K UHD newly restored from its long-lost camera original, and fully uncut for the very first time ever on disc; still as shocking now as it was nearly 50 years ago...
directed by: Conan Le Cilaire
starring: Michael Carr
1979 / 108 min / 1.33:1 / English Mono
Additional info:
Overall rating: 4.871212 / 5 from 264 reviews.
Faces of Death, part of the Vinegar Syndrome Archive collection, offers a unique 4K UHD restoration of the controversial 1979 film. Customers praise the stunning quality, exceptional restoration, and superb packaging, making it a must-have for horror enthusiasts. The release includes special features, a 40-page book, and archival outtakes.
Review topics: [quality, shipping, feel, picture, looks, packaging, sound, set, upgrade, case, work, service, buy, release, film, transfer, movie, extras, features, restoration, deaths, edition, vinegar syndrome, sticker, artwork, poster, title, history, classic, treatment].
"I bought this release for a friend, so the copy in the pictures is still sealed. Thus I cannot say anything about the transfer or the new special features. I own the old US Blu-ray though and this movie is very special and a notorious Mondo film. It's still shocking and not for the faint of heart, for the cruel animal deaths."
"I have no clue why I grabbed this as these films aren’t normally my thing, but I guess FOMO got the best of me, that and wanting to own an important part of horror history in my collection. Film looks great though, the presentation on the slipbox and case are all great, and the disc is stacked with extras even if most of them are archival. An important part of horror history but not for the faint of heart."
"What else can be said about this film that hasn’t already been said. I remember renting this at my local video store in the mid to late 80’s not realizing (at the time) that the majority of it was staged. I came away as thoroughly impressed and have enjoyed the movie ever since. I can’t believe it is now available in 4K UHD, but I for one am extremely grateful. Regardless, this is highly recommended and I encourage you to purchase a copy immediately."
"The gruesome images really pop in this presentation. The 4K image really does add the extra ick factor. Looks sleek on the shelf. Back cover art especially pops with the warning label plastered over the screen grabs. Very fitting. That said I have to remember the contents fall out of the VHS style case if I pick it up the wrong way."
"Faces of Death is still a difficult and uncomfortable watch, but this release gives it the kind of serious treatment I did not expect. The 4K presentation and extras help frame it as a strange piece of cult history, not just shock material. Definitely not for everyone, but Vinegar Syndrome handled it with real care."
"I do not wish to spoil what this is, but there is a reason it went sold out. This a piece of film history, and something that every cult, exploitation and film history buff should watch and study at least once. This edition is sublime. Extras and restoration quality is just amazing. The slip looks as amazing as it is"
"So this is the infamous film Faces of Death most people who remember this film remember it on old VHS tapes or DVDs it has been released on Blu-ray before and the results were not bad at all. this is 100% different The first thing I noticed was the colors what a difference you'll know what I mean during the autopsy scene watch any of the other versions and then watch this one you'll be sold. Expectations must be tempered though this is a film that has been manipulated in a lot of scenes to look like found grainy news or bystander footage so it's meant to look like garbage. However you would be surprised at the difference in clarity and a lot of the scenes black levels colors they're all amazingly different and much much better it's a night and day difference from the Blu-ray. This is a film for the niche market your mileage may vary on this one If you are a fan of the film I really can't think of a better release than this as this is from the original negatives. Have fun."
"Having this Mondo classic on 4K is very unexpected but cool though. Its feature packed and the picture and sound are so good too . And a book as well what can we ask for ."
"Faces of Death gives this infamous slice of exploitation history a shockingly polished presentation, which is both impressive and weirdly funny considering how grimy the movie’s reputation is. It is still more cultural artifact than great cinema, but the restoration, packaging, and extras make it feel like the definitive way to own one of horror’s most notorious “did I really just watch that?” releases."
"Vinegar Syndrome brings one of the most notorious titles in history to 4k in what feels like it might be the most essential edition of the film to date. Not only is it a pristine transfer, and stuffed with commentaries and special features, but we now get Faces of Death completely uncut on home video for the first time! Highly recommended!"
0 Item(s)
