Cardona Collection, The: Volume Two (Limited Edition BLU-RAY)

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US Import

René Cardona Jr. was the king of Mexican exploitation cinema throughout the 70s and 80s, directing dozens of films in a variety of genres and taking creative inspiration from the most popular trends in American and Italian genre cinema. Vinegar Syndrome presents The Cardona Collection: Volume 1, containing three of his violent, horror tinged adventure and disaster movies, all newly restored from their original negatives.

Beaks: The Movie (1987 / 100 min / 1.85:1 / English Stereo):

When TV reporter Vanessa is given an assignment to cover some local bird attacks, she sees it as a lowly assignment from her sleazy producer. But as the number of deadly incidents grow and Vanessa's investigation deepens, she discovers something much more sinister waiting in the wings. Soon humanity is under violent siege from all forms of avian predator and nowhere is safe to hide from these fearsome fowl, who hope to pec and gouge their way to world domination!

A globe-trotting and action packed classic from the animal attack genre, Rene Cardona Jr’s BEAKS (aka Birds of Prey) pays playful homage to Hitchcock while infusing this story with way non stop carnage and death defying stunts as only he can. Starring Michelle Johnson (Tales From the Crypt), Christopher Atkins (The Blue Lagoon) and Sofia Infante (Los placeres ocultos), Vinegar Syndrome is proud to present the world Blu-ray debut of BEAKS, presented in its uncut international version and newly restored in 2K!

Under Siege (1980 / 94 min / 1.85:1 / Spanish Mono):

When an organized crime group pulls the heist of their criminal careers things quickly spiral out of control into a nightmare of violence. After robbing several casinos in a synchronized attack, the group splinters in order to escape, only to be dogged by police task forces and relentless detectives at every turn. When one faction ultimately takes refuge in the home of an upscale family, it's up to the father to save his family as the criminals fall, one by one, and desperation sinks in.

A stellar example of Cardona Jr.'s prowess as a director, this film grabs you from its opening moments and the tension never lets up. Pulling from an all-star ensemble featuring Stuart Whitman (The Longest Day), Francisco Rabal (Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!), Hugo Stiglitz (Nightmare City), Antonella Interlenghi (City of the Living Dead) and Marisa Mell (Danger: Diabolik) Under Siege (aka Hostages), is a non-stop thrill ride, newly restored from the 35mm camera negative of its original Spanish language version.

La casa que arde de noche (1986 / 103 min / 1.85:1 / Spanish Mono):

Eleazar is a smooth talking strong man who works at a notoriously sleazy brothel. His charming ways have put him in the good graces of the house's madame. That is until Lalasana, a seductive new prostitute, enters the brothel and does everything in her power to get to the top. While Eleazar and Lalasana vie for the favor of the house madame they will do anything to stop the other, but when their feud turns into a sexual fire, the intensity and heat threaten to turn all they've worked for into a pile of ash.

A mid-80s entry into the psycho-sexual thriller genre, this film is a twisting and turning tale with all the sex and sleaze you can handle. Starring frequent Cardona collaborators Sofia Infante (Treasure of the Amazon) and Salvador Pineda (Beaks: The Movie), La casa que arde de noche (aka The House That Burns at Night) is a welcome addition to U.S. home video, restored from its 35mm original camera negative.

S.O.S. Conspiración Bikini (1967 / 89 min / 1.85:1 / Spanish Mono):

Alex Dinamo is the top agent at The International Service and is always busy either taking down criminals or making ladies swoon. But now, the criminal enterprise, Secret Organizational Service (S.O.S.) is about to complete its long-in-the-works plot to destabilize the world with illegal arms deals. Using an international fashion show as their front, they're getting together for one last meeting before enacting their master plan. Will Agent Dinamo be able to pry away from all the scantily clad models long enough to foil S.O.S.'s plans or will they succeed?!

In this lighter action comedy, Cardona Jr. sets his sights on sending up the spy film genre. Filled with action set pieces and chase sequences, Cardona is in familiar territory while keeping the mood and pace free and fun. Starring Julio Alemán (El Tunco Malclovio), Sonia Infante (Beaks: The Movie), Sonia Furió (Aventura) and Noé Muayama (Infernal Rapist) and in a new restoration from its 35mm internegative, Vinegar Syndrome is proud to present S.O.S. Conspiración Bikini.

Additional info:

3-disc Region Free Blu-ray Set
Newly scanned & restored in 4K from various 35mm original elements
Commentary track with film historian Viviana García-Besné for S.O.S. CONSPIRACIÓN BIKINI
"On The Run" (19 min) - an interview with filmmaker René Cardona III on UNDER SIEGE
"We Were Wild" (16 min) - an interview with UNDER SIEGE actor Hugo Stiglitz
"Don’t Shoot" (10 min) - an interview with UNDER SIEGE actor Orlando Urdaneta
"All in the Family: The Cardona Legacy" (15 min) - an interview with Andrea Cardona, granddaughter of René Cardona Jr.
"Union City: Behind the Entertainment" (14 min) - an interview with LA CASA QUE ARDE DE NOCHE production assistant Felipe Marino
"From P.A. to Producer" (17 min) - an interview with LA CASA QUE ARDE DE NOCHE actress Mineko Mori
Promotional still gallery
Reversible sleeve artwork
Newly translated English subtitles