‘SS Experiment Love Camp’ 4K UHD Review (88 Films)
Stars: Mircha Carven, Paola Corazzi, Giorgio Cerioni, Almina De Sanzio, Matilde Dall’Aglio, Agnes Kalpagos, Giovanna Mainardi, Serafino Profumo, Attilio Dottesio, Patrizia Melega | Directed by Sergio Garrone
Throughout the history of cinema, countless films have pushed the boundaries of taste and decency, some so provocative that they faced bans or severe censorship in multiple countries. One of the most notorious examples is SS Experiment Love Camp, a controversial entry in the Nazisploitation subgenre that gained infamy during the 1980s as part of the UK’s “Video Nasties” list – a collection of films outlawed under the Video Recordings Act of 1984. Now, as the film approaches its 50th anniversary, SS Experiment Love Camp returns in a new light. 88 Films has marked the occasion with a lavish 4K/Blu-ray restoration, giving Sergio Garrone’s infamous shocker its most complete and polished presentation to date.
Set during the tail-end of World War II we follow the deranged experiments performed on innocent prisoners of war by the utterly sadistic and evil Colonel von Kleiben in his attempt to create the perfect Aryan race. Shocking, notorious and endlessly exploitative, the movie continues to disgust audiences all over the globe nearly 50 years after its initial release.
Without giving too much away, the film’s disturbing “experiments” revolve around an attempt to restore a wounded commandant to his former “health.” Needless to say, SS Experiment Love Camp is not for the faint-hearted. For a film released in 1976, it’s shockingly graphic and deliberately provocative – a brazen exercise in exploitation cinema that many will find deeply offensive. Yet, as with all films, appreciation ultimately depends on personal taste. Not every viewer embraces this kind of extreme genre fare, but that’s the beauty of cinema’s diversity; there’s something for everyone.
88 Films have presented SS Experiment Love Camp in a new 4K transfer (2160p, 1.85:1) and a Blu-ray version (1080p, 1.66:1). Audio options include English 2.0 LPCM Stereo with optional SDH subtitles and Italian 2.0 LPCM Mono with newly translated English subtitles. This isn’t a recycled print either – it’s a brand-new 4K remaster sourced from the original negatives. As expected, 88 Films has delivered another superb restoration: colours are vivid, the image sharp and clean, and the audio crisp. And since this is a “super deluxe” edition, the release also comes packed with bonus features, a real treat for fans of vintage exploitation cinema.
Special Features:
- Slipcase with art by Joel Robinson
- Booklet with notes from Tim Murray and Rachael Nisbet
- Audio Commentary by Italian Cinema Experts Eugenio Ercolani and Nanni Cobretti
- Sadistically Yours, Sergio G. – An Interview with Director Sergio Garrone
- Sadist Sound – An Interview with Music Historian Pierpaolo De Sanctis
- The Alibiso Dynasty – An Interview with Editor Eugenio Alabiso
- Framing Exploitation – An Interview with Cinematographer Maurizio Centini
- Italian Opening and Closing titles
- Original Trailer
One thing I’ve always admired about 88 Films is their commitment to preserving and celebrating cult and fringe cinema. They consistently give lesser-known, controversial titles the same premium treatment as mainstream classics. SS Experiment Love Camp might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but fans of this particular subgenre will be thrilled with the care and quality that’s gone into this release.
The restoration is stunning, and the packaging is equally impressive — the box art gleams with metallic silver lettering, making it as eye-catching as it is audacious. It’s a striking presentation for a film as notorious as this one, and for collectors of exploitation cinema, this 4K/Blu-ray edition from 88 Films is a must-have. Simply put, you won’t find a better or more lovingly produced version of SS Experiment Love Camp anywhere else.
***** 5/5
SS Experiment Love Camp is available now on 4k UHD from Amazon.
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