I don't think it's particularly foolish of me to assume that most public interest in Patrick Still Lives (Patrick Vive Ancora) stems from the infamous impalement-though-the-vagina sequence. Certainly, aside from this scene, the film is, in essence, a rather average little exploitation flick. However, for those looking to add another 91-minutes (with a few abnormally nasty highlights) of cheesy fun to their DVD collection, it's worth a look...

The film starts on a high note, opening with young Patrick and his father (Sacha Pitoëff, the cat-drowning book-dealer attacked by rats in Argento's Inferno) by their stalled car on the road, hoping for help. A car comes by, yet its driver does not stop, instead he obliviously throws a liquor bottle out the window, which hits Patrick on the head. As corny disaster music blares (you'll know it when you hear it), Patrick collapses to the ground, his head covered in blood.

Patrick's father, a doctor, determines that his son will be stuck in a coma, and after the opening credits (scored with catchy Goblin rip-off theme music), we jump several years ahead, to Patrick's father's isolated "rest center."

Patrick's father has invited five guests to this "resort" of sorts, among them a politician and his wife, an athlete, and a couple other people whose background is not easily remembered. In the first half-hour or so of set-up, the film begins to turn rather annoying as the passing minutes quickly reveal that the movie's screenplay was not a particularly high priority in its production. I still cannot say for certain why these people would choose to accept such a strange invitation sent to them from someone they've never met, and why a man heavily involved in Italian politics would take a week out of his busy schedule to sit around some stranger's villa, but I guess being too logical about the film will only ruin one's viewing experience.

As time progresses it becomes readily apparent that the comatose Patrick has gained telekinetic powers in his accident, and that he is going to use them to slaughter these five people. (It also becomes readily apparent why he's slaughtering them, though I doubt it is intended to.) Finally, after the lengthy opening exposition, Patrick begins exacting his vengeance.

As he hacks, burns and asphyxiates the various guests, Patrick also takes the time to forge a loving relationship (though some sort of mental influence) with his father's gorgeous secretary, which culminates in a rather naughty female masturbation sequence that is probably the other reason (besides the "impalement") that this film has been released in a cut and uncut version.

Eventually, Patrick suffers a crisis of conscience as to his actions, and, after more murder, eventually, as they say, gets the girl, leaving all to end as well as it possibly could.

Admittedly, the whole affair is not particularly original or well executed, but it's still a rather fun time-waster. Those involved in the production certainly knew what was expected of them, and they deliver in spades: ample nudity (mostly female), cheesy yet bloody deaths, and weird optical effects are in abundance. There are several hilarious green-tinted "zooming in on super-imposed eyes" shots (that have a very Kill Bill feel about them) that made my day. These alone provide ample entertainment and could potentially be the basis of an excellent drinking game.

While the film may be trashy fun, Shriek Show's disk gives it respectful treatment. It is presented in its 1.85:1 aspect ratio (anamorphic) in its original (seemingly post-dubbed) Italian language with removable English subtitles. The print itself doesn't look too bad, considering this film is a rather cheap production from more than 20 years ago. The sound also seems fine, and I like having the original language track, even if it still doesn't seem to match characters' mouths perfectly. The subtitles are pretty decent, though they contain a few typographical errors. Still, it's not a terrible problem, and overall the presentation is definitely acceptable.

As for extras, Shriek Show has put together a respectable package.

Starting with the less exciting supplements, we are given a truly gargantuan 30-second long still gallery that contains a whopping six photos (5 lobby cards and a poster, for those counting). The film's trailer (which is actually pretty good and eliminates the awful lime-tinting on the super-imposed eye shots) is included as well, and, as usual, Shriek Show includes trailers for a few of its other titles too, giving us Elsa Fraulein SS, Lenzi's Eaten Alive, and Fulci's Lizard in a Woman's Skin.

The disk is rounded off with a couple of interviews. The first is with Patrick himself, Gianni Dei. The five-minute interview covers his relationship with the cast, his thoughts on the part (i.e. lying in bed with his eyes open), and touches on his successful careers in Italian acting and fashion. Secondly, we are given a very interesting eleven-minute interview with Gabriele Crisanti, the film's producer. He is quiet and pensive yet amicable, and I found his interview to be very enjoyable. He covers the story behind the film (it's a rip-off of the then-recently-released Australian-made Patrick) and talks about Italian cinema amongst other things. I really found this interview to be a good deal of fun, and Crisanti comes off as a rather likeable figure, almost like having a cool exploitation-producer grandpa. Finally, as an added bonus, Shriek Show has at last started polishing and editing its interviews into actual featurettes, á la Anchor Bay. I commend its step toward professionalism.

Considering the film and its supplements, Shriek Show's disk seems a fine way to go if you're interested in this title. (For that matter, it's probably the only possible way to go.) If you want to check this out (you know whom you are!), definitely get the unrated version, since I know you're only watching this for the "impalement through the vagina" shot anyway. After that, feel free to sit back, give your brain cells a rest, and prepare for a good 90-minutes of sleazy fun!