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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.
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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: 4.8962264 / 5 from 212 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","looks","picture","feel","packaging","sound","work","case","set","piece","release","film","transfer","movie","features","extras","edition","restoration","deaths","vinegar syndrome","sticker","artwork","title","treatment","booklet","classic","video","care","footage"].
"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 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"
"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!"
"stellar, definitive restoration that drastically improves upon its gritty origins while remaining entirely faithful to the source material. Critics and boutique physical media enthusiasts agree that the video transfer is exceptionally strong, breathing unexpected clarity into the notorious shockumentary."
"This is such a cool new limited edition of a controversial exploitation classic. The movie is infamously a right of passage for 90s kids, because at the time, it was banned in several countries, and everyone thought all of the scenes were real. The artwork on this release, and in the booklet is amazing. Happy to own this."
"If the video store you were in had Faces Of Death on the shelf, the place was cool. Watching this abomination in 4k was like being born again. Everything about this release is incredible. The slipcase, the book, the stickers, the extras, and the artwork will be celebrated for years. If ever there was a physical release to own, it's this. I am in awe. You will be too."
"The most complete, highest quality reproduction I could have possibly hoped for. Absolutely stunning quality and a treasure trove of BTS footage, information, and extras that shed a whole new light on an almost mythic piece of my childhood. Immense praise to VS and everyone involved in the restoration for their incredible work!"
"The peerless VS restoration process was on full display with stellar sound and picture! Thank you, VS, for continuing to lovingly restore and release so many wonderful films from every conceivable genre! You are keeping physical media alive in this streaming world we now live in! Highly recommended!"
"Almost guaranteed to be my favorite release of 2026. Regardless of whether you like the movie or not, I think it's an undeniably interesting and unique film ehich consistently treads the line of hilarity and upsetting tastelesness. To have this in such a premium box with a cool looking booklet, a poster, interesting extras and a great 4k scan brings me great joy. Some of the autopsy scenes look kind of stunning and bizarre in 4k with all of that delicious film grain."
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