SANTO VS. DOCTOR 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 store chain, The Archive, with locations in Bridgeport, CT and Aurora, CO.
Unique to this line, each hand numbered limited edition release will come fitted in a specially designed, bottom loading VHS inspired slipcase, while also including a double-sided poster.
These releases will ONLY be available on our website and at participating indie retailers. Absolutely no major retailers will be stocking them. This slipcase edition (designed by Haunt Love) is strictly limited to 5,000 units and may (but probably not) be followed by a standard edition in the future.
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Famed Mexican wrestler and secret agent, Santo "The Silver Mask," is back in action! This time, Santo is sent to Madrid not only for a big wrestling event, but also to investigate an international case involving counterfeit art. Shortly after arriving in Madrid, Santo is partnered with an Interpol Agent named Paul (aka. "Agent 9004") and the two are quickly greeted by a number of trigger-happy assassins sent to keep them from uncovering the truth behind the art forgeries. However, the case becomes even more complicated when Santo and Paul learn that beautiful models have been going missing and that it all may be linked to an art restorationist named Dr. Mann. Santo and Paul are sent to assist seductive Special Agent Susan who is sent undercover as a model to infiltrate Dr. Mann's castle. The three soon uncover Dr. Mann's elaborate plot to use the models as test subjects in a macabre experiment to perfect his art restoration process.
SANTO VS. DOCTOR DEATH has been hailed by many (including Santo himself) as not only one of the best Santo films, but one of the best of the "Lucha libre" genre that was popular during the 60s and 70s. One of the few Mexican-Spanish co-productions in the Santo filmography, this entry benefits not only from a slicker production but also from tightly choreographed fight scenes lead by director Rafael Romero Marchent (Sartana Kills Them All) and the addition of Euro actors Mirta Miller (Count Dracula's Great Love), Helga Liné (My Dear Killer), and Carlos Romero Marchent (Cut-Throats Nine) give this film more of a Eurocentric vibe than many of the other offerings in the Santo series. Vinegar Syndrome Archive is proud to present our first Santo film, scanned and restored in 2K from its 35mm original camera negative and for the first time since its initial release, presented in its intended widescreen aspect ratio.
directed by: Rafael Romero Marchent starring: Santo, Mirta Miller, Carlos Romero Marchent, Helga Liné, George Rigaud, Antonio Pica 1973 / 97 min / 1.85:1 / Spanish & English Mono
Additional info:
Region Free Blu-ray
Newly scanned & restored in 2K from its 35mm original camera negative
Presented in both its original Spanish language soundtrack and optional English language dub soundtrack
Brand new video essay by film historian Orlando Jimenez
Original theatrical trailer (Spanish and English)
Alternate English title sequence
Promotional image gallery
Reversible cover artwork
English SDH subtitles
Overall rating: 4.5947714 / 5 from 153 reviews.
AI Generated Review Summary
Santo vs. Doctor Death, part of the Vinegar Syndrome Archive collection, is celebrated for its exceptional film transfer, high-quality audio, and stunning restoration. Customers praise the film's appearance and overall quality, making it a standout in El Santo's filmography. The unique packaging adds to the collector's appeal.
"The transfer itself looked great, nice clean audio, definitely an all round great release." — james b.
"The transfer is crystal clear, the audio is great, and the translation feels very natural." — Sam S.
"It looks very nice and the slipcover is the usual great quality," — Markus T.
Reviews
Defiantly The Best Santo Movie
"Wow this movie looks really good. Felt like a fun James Bond spoof with occasional breaks for 3 minutes of silly wrestling."
— Benjamin H. (5/5)
Fun Mexican Lucha Libre movie
"These lucha movies are always super fun. This one is really entertaining."
— Tait K. (5/5)
Santo
"I loved it! Was fun seeing wrestling moves in an action movie context. Dont feel i see that often. Soundtrack was great and i loved the final scene. Hope vinegar gets more santo movies released. Wish double sided poster had more to offer, maybe make the back more retro or related to og santo posters"
— David C. (5/5)
Mas Santo!
"Picture quality in this restoration is incredible. I love that it has both audio options, as some of these types of films can come with either one or the other. Picture included is of the very high quality poster that have come with several of VinSyn's releases. That's always a nice bonus to have with the more wonky movies. More Santo please!"
— Steven Y. (5/5)
Love a Santo movie
"You can’t go wrong with this VSA!"
— Andrew K. (5/5)
More Santo, please
"I wanted to see more Santo after seeing MST3K cover one of his movies and I was glad this got a Vinegar Syndrome release. I hope I can see more in the future."
— Timothy L. (5/5)
Beware the mask
"Real cool cover art, very comfy watch. Santo is just really cool."
— Sam A. (5/5)
Fun
"Fun Mexican/Spanish coproduction Eurospy film"
— KEVIN S. (5/5)
VSA-029
"Not my kind of thing, nice slipcase though …. ."
— richard c. (4/5)
Numbered Edition
"Blind buy, the packaging is great! also like the edition number placement"
— Faisal A. (5/5)
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