This special limited edition spot gloss slipcover (designed by Chris Barnes) is limited to 6,000units and is only available on our website and at select indie retailers. Absolutely no major retailers will be stocking them.
In the annals of 1970s regional filmmaking, Nick Millard carved out a niche with his extremely low-budget, yet highly artistic horror and action movies. Presented here are his two seminal works, offered as a double feature, just as they originally screened in drive-ins and grindhouses across America.
Ethel Jankowski has just been released from an asylum where her both violent and suicidal tendencies had kept her under medical supervision. Deemed “cured,” save for her severe weight problem, she moves in with her grandmother who, under doctor’s orders, locks up the household’s food supply to prevent Ethel from continuing to gorge herself. However, Ethel’s raging appetite cannot be contained and, as visitors to the house begin discovering her growing stash of snacks, she has no choice but to violently kill them and hide their remains… A charmingly depraved proto-slasher anchored by a captivating performance from its (literally and figuratively) larger-than-life star, Priscilla Alden (Sodom and Gomorrah: The Last Seven Days), director Nick Millard’s cult favorite, CRIMINALLY INSANE bursts with wild plot twists, regional charm, and plenty of gruesome kills.
Mark Gray is reeling from the horrible news that his sister, Nina, has committed suicide. Searching for answers, he travels to the secluded, forest-surrounded town in which she lived. Unsettled by the frosty, almost ghost-like demeanor of the locals, Mark begins to suspect that there might be something more sinister behind his sister's death, only to discover that the town itself is a coven of vampires. With more than its fair share of bright-red-bloody kills, Nick Millard’s sophomore horror feature, SATAN’S BLACK WEDDING is a tightly constructed and incredibly atmospheric regional vampire thriller skillfully crafted in the Italian gothic tradition, despite its Northern California locales.
Both CRIMINALLY INSANE and SATAN’S BLACK WEDDING have been meticulously restored in 4K from their long-lost 16mm camera reversal elements and are making their worldwide Blu-ray debut from Vinegar Syndrome!
directed by: Nick Millard starring: Priscilla Alden, Michael Flood, Jane Lambert, George 'Buck' Flower, Greg Braddock, Ray Myles, Lisa Milano 1974 / 124 min (combined) / 1.37:1 & 1.85:1 / English Mono
Additional info:
Region Free Blu-ray
Newly scanned & restored in 4K from its 16mm camera reversal
CRIMINALLY INSANE is presented in its original 1.37:1 aspect ratio with the following sound options: original English mono soundtrack, a brand new commentary track by film historians Millie De Chirico and Liz Purchell, and an archival commentary track with director Nick Millard and Irmi Millard moderated by 42nd Street Pete
SATAN’S BLACK WEDDING is presented in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio with the following sound options: original English mono soundtrack, a brand new commentary track by Brian Albright, author of Regional Horror Films, 1958–1990, and an archival commentary track with director Nick Millard and Irmi Millard moderated by 42nd Street Pete
Remains to Be Seen (18 min) - a featurette produced by the Vinegar Syndrome Film Archive on preserving the films of director Nick Millard
Right Out of Left Field (48 min) - author Stephen Thrower on Criminally Insane, Satan's Black Wedding and the early filmography of Nick Millard
Archival video interview with writer/director Nick Millard on CRIMINALLY INSANE (7 min)
Archival featurette with writer/director Nick Millard and actress Priscilla Alden on CRIMINALLY INSANE (10 min)
Archival video interview with writer/director Nick Millard on SATAN’S BLACK WEDDING (5 min)
Original trailers for both films
Inside sleeve artwork
English SDH subtitles
Overall rating: 4.631579 / 5 from 209 reviews.
AI Generated Review Summary
This limited edition Blu-ray set features two meticulously restored 1970s horror films by Nick Millard, Criminally Insane and Satan's Black Wedding. Customers praise the films' great looks, engaging features, and the overall quality of the release. The slipcover adds an extra layer of appeal for collectors.
"Glorious low budget 70s horror double feature." — Alex F.
"Love the slipcover and both movies look pretty great (CI looks a bit rough at times but I like that)." — Felipe F.
"Plethora of extras as well make this a great release." — Erek O.
Reviews
Insane
"A must have VS release and tight fun grimy double bill. Entertaining performances and beautiful restoration. Top stuff."
— Ben C. (5/5)
2 odd regional horrors
"2 very strange regional horrors. Satans black wedding was pretty dry, but I enjoyed criminally insane a lot. Great video quality for these only on vhs movies."
— Damon H. (4/5)
Amateur and Bloody
"This was my first experience with Millard films. They are entertaining but probably not something I will rewatch. The filmmaking and acting feels very amateur, but there is a charm to the excessive, bright-colored blood."
— Noel H. (4/5)
Awesome set for fans of obscure exploitation
"Really happy Vinegar Syndrome put this one out. These are the kinds of rough, obscure genre films that are easy to overlook, but they are exactly the sort of titles that benefit from this kind of care and presentation. Criminally Insane is the standout, but both films make this a fun and memorable set for anyone into regional horror and exploitation."
— Thomas L. (4/5)
A double feature from indie
"A double feature from indie filmmaker Nick Millard. Criminally Insane aka. Crazy Fat Ethel is the highlight here. An overweight woman who choose murder over a diet. Priscilla Alden as Ethel is so much fun in this. Now if we could only get Death Nurse and Death Nurse 2! A fair amount of extras and a decent slipcover make this release well worth the purchase."
— Kyle C. (4/5)
insane films
"nice slip but the movies were interesting. ."
— Kevin M. (4/5)
Criminally underrated slasher
"Criminally Insane is a batshit crazy fever dream of a slasher. The restoration is a big upgrade from the dvd. This is some real Grindhouse trash about a homicidal maniac who is also struggling with her weight. Parts of it are comics. Parts of it are disturbing, but it’s definitely worth checking out."
— Michael B. (5/5)
Low budget greatness
"I absolutely loved this double feature release! I wasn’t sure about it so bought it during one of Vinegar Syndrome’s sales, and loved both features so much. Yes, they are very low budget, but both films have so much energy and fun, which outweighs their deficiencies. I also loved all the special features included in this set too. Its one of my favourite blind buys from VS yet!"
— Adam H. (5/5)
70s Horror Double Feature
"VS brings 2 of Nick Millard's most popular horror movies to blu ray in HD for the first time. Criminally Insane is a very fun proto-slasher that has it's own shot on video sequel (would be fun to have here too, but as it's SOV, it's on the Degausser line instead). The other is an atmospheric story of devil worshippers. Both are short and sweet at just over an hour each, and they've included a nice collection of special features. Fans of proto-slashers and low budget 70s horror will want to check this out. The inside sleeve features the cool original box art, but unfortunately there's no title on the spine, so you can only reverse it if you have the limited edition slip cover."
— Sam N. (5/5)
Insane in the men brains
"Crazy regional type horror."
— Edward K. (5/5)
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