This special limited edition spot gloss and embossed slipcover is limited to 2,000 units and is only available on our website and at select indie retailers. Absolutely no major retailers will be stocking them.
Presented in partnership with Something Weird Video...
The American Genre Film Archive (AGFA) represents the world's largest theatrical catalog of exploitation cinema. Their home video line presents a diverse selection of movies, ranging from new preservations of classics from the vast library of Something Weird to the wildest in shot-on-video (SOV) titles. Vinegar Syndrome’s sister company, OCN Distribution, is thrilled to be representing this diverse and unique home video line!
This is the only horror movie in history that was made explicitly to catch a serial killer. Directed by Tom Hanson, who had previously owned a chain of Pizza Man restaurants, THE ZODIAC KILLER reimagines the crimes of the then-active Zodiac Killer in hopes of luring the madman out of hiding. That plan didn’t work. Instead, we got the most outrageous and compelling "tabloid horror" vortex on the planet. And beyond. During theatrical screenings, Hanson constructed in-theater traps to catch the killer. These included the use of an ice cream freezer filled with rent-a-cops and a raffle with a motorcycle as a prize. You won’t get insight like this by watching David Fincher's ZODIAC. But you will get it while watching THE ZODIAC KILLER.
directed by: Unknown
starring: Various
1971 / 86 min / 1.33:1 / English DTS-HD MA 1.0
Additional info:
Exclusive Zodiac Killer bundle with candle and postcard, limited to 75 bundles.
Overall rating: 4.2485547 / 5 from 173 reviews.
This limited edition Blu-ray of 'The Zodiac Killer' features a special slipcover and is praised for its presentation and packaging. The film itself has mixed reviews, with some finding it entertaining and others uninteresting. The story and quality of the film are appreciated, but the movie's pace and value for money are points of contention.
Review topics: [quality, looks, feel, picture, packaging, presentation, buy, piece, work, movie, kills, film, release, features, slipcover, history, agfa, crime, exploitation, title, murder, watch, restoration, slasher, budget, zodiac, story, fun, backstory, vibe].
"Cool artwork, quality restoration, and interesting features - all the things you would expect from an AGFA and Something Weird release, even from early on (Spine Number AGFA-001b!). I bought this because of the inclusion of the alternate cut in the True Crime Triple Ripper, so I haven't gotten around to opening this one, but I'm glad it's on the shelf."
"The slipcover was of a totally awesome quality on this really cool flick! The Zodiac killer just kept right on with his spree throughout the entire engaging film! 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!"
"Low budget SOV delight! Based on the Zodiac Killer (obviously). Recommended"
"As a Zodiac fan*, this is a must own! *fan of the Fincher “Zodiac” film, not the actual Zodiac."
"The 1971 film “Zodiac Killer” directed by Tom Hanson is a low-budget thriller loosely inspired by the real-life Zodiac murders in Northern California. The movie follows a mysterious and unstoppable killer who taunts the authorities while leaving cryptic clues, blending elements of crime, suspense, and exploitation cinema. Hanson’s direction emphasizes tension over polish, with gritty cinematography and a raw, almost documentary-like style that gives the film a sense of immediacy despite its limited resources. Its cult status today owes much to its eerie portrayal of fear and paranoia, reflecting the anxieties of early-1970s America. The Agfa Blu-ray release elevates this obscure title with a crisp, high-definition transfer that preserves the grainy texture of the original 35mm print. Fans and collectors will appreciate the care taken in restoring the audio and image, revealing details previously obscured in VHS or DVD versions. The release also includes bonus material such as commentary, archival interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage, providing context about Hanson’s production challenges and the film’s reception at the time. Overall, this edition is a must-have for genre enthusiasts looking to experience the cult classic with modern presentation standards."
"The Zodiac Killer (1971) is a rough‑edged, sensational exploitation film that uses the real, then‑active Zodiac case as a springboard for a lurid, fictionalized thriller. Made quickly and cheaply, it leans into shock value, tabloid energy, and grindhouse aesthetics rather than accuracy or nuance. The result is a strange cultural artifact: part crime fantasy, part publicity stunt, and part time capsule of early‑’70s true‑crime obsession."
"70s tabloid cinema is the subgenre I never knew I needed. It feels appropriate that my introduction would be a “recreation” of one of the most confounding serial killer cases in American history. Equally confounding is Californian pizza mogul Tom Hanson’s The Zodiac Killer. Famously produced with the half-serious intention of luring the real Zodiac to a premiere screening, the film did not, in fact, flush him out. What it did capture is something arguably more interesting: a held-together-with-Scotch-tape snapshot of scrappy regional filmmaking and the endearingly amateur thespians Hanson recruited for the job. Also included is a second feature (Another Son of Sam), print and video interviews with Hanson, a trove of tabloid-horror trailers, and a commentary by the ever-game AGFA crew. As saviors of endangered exploitation—whether they’re committed or should be committed remains gloriously up for debate."
"This movie is probably most well known as the film made to attract and try to catch the real Zodiac killer. It’s not great by any means, but is interesting enough as time capsule of that time. Slipcover is just okay, but extras are fairly robust including a second bonus film on the Son of Sam."
"Another fun release from AGFA. I really like the slipcover art, it's more creative than anything in the movie. I did enjoy some of the amazing leaps in logic by writer/director Tom Hanson. It's clearly the work of a gifted filmmaker coming directly from his pizza joint. Plenty of extras help inform the context of his film."
"Took itself too seriously with the subject matter to enjoy how rough this was. Not my cup of tea."
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