Olaf Ittenbach = Gore and Gore = Olaf Ittenbach. I've been a huge fan of Ittenbach ever since my bootleg tape days of Black Past and Burning Moon. Until now, Ittenbach's over the top gore-fest Premutos has not been available in any English form and the film has mostly been making the rounds on the bootleg tape market. I've been out of the bootleg tape loop for quite some time so I was thrilled to hear that Shock-O-Rama Cinema had picked up this release for US distribution on DVD. I'm not shocked to say that I have mixed feelings about this DVD whether it's an issue with the film itself or the presentation of the film. It's a hit or miss affair, but those looking for a bit of Ittenbach on US DVD will probably have to accept this release until something else comes along. Let's take a look at the highs and lows of Premutos on DVD.

The story of Premutos is that of a very long-winded and complicated film script. To put it simply, Premutos is a fallen angel destined to roam the earth for all eternity, wreaking whatever havoc he may. Our story evolves as Premutos takes the form of a teenager named Mathias. The story shifts between the life of Mathias now and his former exploits as Premutos throughout the ages. Once Mathias takes his true form as Premutos at his stepfather's birthday party all hell breaks loose as the shit and guts hit the fan.

Truth be told, Premutos is not a great film. Ittenbach as a director is quite weak and really has no style or vision. As far as having a story to tell, well he tries, but unfortunately everything comes out quite long-winded and ultimately quite underwhelming. Premutos seems to have been intended to be a gore epic, but it just winds up feeling way too long and preachy. The film itself runs about 1/2 hour too long as there are some dialogue scenes that are almost unbearable to watch.

Now onto the good stuff (and by good stuff I mean the red stuff). Premutos is a gore lover's wet dream come true from nearly start to finish. Ittenbach is the only man I know who can give Peter Jackson a run for his bloody money. There is so much gooey nastiness in this film, I don't even know where to begin. Body parts chopped, bitten and chewed. People gutted, heads and limbs loped off, people smacked around with their own limbs, faces and flesh torn off. Death by bullet (many exploding heads), throats slit, chainsaw after chainsaw, knife, machete and pickax (and normal axe). You name it, this flick has it, and the blood flows freely. Take away about 1/2 hour of the talkity talk talk and you'd have a tight little gore flick. You have to know what you're getting yourself into, if you looking for cinematic class, you've come to the wrong place. This film was made with loving care for the gore hound market in mind and I can respect that. The problem is that it lacks the charm of films that obviously inspired it such as Evil Dead and Dead Alive.

Ittenbach has an undeniable talent for making gore films that please to no end. Good old fashioned gore, unlike the CGI spectacles of today. This film gleefully took me back to the days of Romero's gore filled Dawn of the Dead, Raimi's Evil Dead and Jackson's Bad Taste or Dead Alive. The problem is that in addition to the spectacle of gore these other pictures are ultimately good films while Premutos is unfortunately not. Can this film still be enjoyed? Yes, on some levels, but the missing charm that these other films possess feels like a black hole in Premutos, an unfilled void that ultimately leaves the viewer feeling a bit empty.

Premutos is presented on DVD in a full frame transfer and the result is just OK. This is a low budget film to begin with so we have to be a bit forgiving. There are instances of grain and artifacting that render some darker scenes nearly unwatchable. Colors are a bit drab and seem to bleed into one another. I may be going nuts, but I'd be willing to wager that this DVD was mastered from a PAL video source. All complaints aside, this is probably the best the film has ever looked (that's not saying much, sure it's better than a bootleg). Although the packaging claims an uncut transfer, I have it on good authority that this print is indeed, NOT uncut. I'm not exactly sure what was cut out, as it stands the film is pretty damn gory.

Audio is presented in either the films original German language with no subtitles (what's the point of that?) or in a poorly dubbed English stereo surround track (decisions, decisions). This dub track will go on record as being one of the worst dubbing jobs ever. Take every piss poor martial arts or 70's European horror dub and multiply its badness by 100%, then you'll have an idea. I have to even question the accuracy of the dub job, as a lot of the dialogue didn't even make any sense. People talk onscreen and we hear nothing! In some instances people onscreen are obviously screaming while there is not a sound to be heard, oye vey!

Extras include a behind the scenes documentary that runs just under an hour. Also dubbed (and dubbed poorly) the documentary has its highs and lows, but ultimately makes for an interesting view. There are some great behind the scene shots and some insight into how this ultra low budget spectacle came to be. It appears as if the film was a true labor of love amongst the cast and crew. Other extras include a slew of trailers for other Alternative Cinema titles. The packaging states that a full color collectable booklet is also included. Well, there is a foldout advertising other AC titles, but I found it to hardly be a collectable. Also worth mentioning is the fact that the disc is split into chapters, but there is no chapter selection screen, nice touch.

Overall I'd have to give this film and its presentation a bit of high and low marks. This DVD is most certainly not for everyone. Fans of Ittenbach will want to pick up this DVD until something better comes along. Gorehounds will probably also get a kick out of this DVD as well. Buyers beware the film itself stinks, but the delicious gore effects are top notch and make this presentation a hell of an interesting view.