‘Psychotronia Collection Vol. 2: Mondo Keyhole’ Blu-ray Review
Stars: Nick Moriarty, Adele Rein, Carol Baughman, Pluto Felix, Christopher Winters, Penelope Faith, Cathy Crowfoot | Written and Directed by Jack Hill
Jack Hill was an American filmmaker who is no doubt best known for his exploitation films. Probably his most popular and most well-known film would be 1974’s Foxy Brown. Quentin Tarantino even described him as “the Howard Hawks of exploitation filmmaking.” In 1966 he made his directorial debut in the sexploitation drama Mondo Keyhole.
A serial rapist relishes his attacks on women, but are they only fantasy, real though they may seem? A debauched classic of the ‘roughie’ genre, complete with S&M fantasies that probably won’t win any awards from ‘Ms Magazine.’ Jack Hill is the total auteur of this production, so put down your demitasse coffee cup, fasten your seatbelt, and expect the unexpected!
Next year Mondo Keyhole will celebrate its 60th anniversary. So, to get prepared for this epic anniversary, VCI Entertainment and MVD Visual are releasing a deluxe 2-disc set. Now exploitation film fans can have a newly restored version of this film on Blu-ray to add to their collection!
Jack Hill shot and edited this film. The angles he used in this film are not what we normally see in a film. But that is what made this film so unique. Though in all honesty, the script is lacking substance, and the film is a bit slow. But exploitation films are not made for a gripping story. Of course, exploitation films are not everyone’s cup of tea. But for those who enjoy this genre, this will be an interesting watch as it is Jack Hill’s first film.
Mondo Keyhole has been transferred to Blu-ray in 1080p and is presented in widescreen format. The audio track is an English audio PCM. There is also the option for English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing. This transfer is taken from a new restored 2k scan from the original uncut 35mm camera negative. Viewing this film on Blu-ray is nice, but to say it is pristine, no. In all reality, I wasn’t expecting much for this transfer as this is an exploitation film that is almost 60 years old. These films were low-budget films and not thought to have a life after it’s drive-in run. So, to look this good is somewhat of a miracle!
Special Features:
- 2025 Commentary track by Rob Kelly noted film historian, podcaster and artist.
- Archival Commentary by Jack Hill
- Photo and Poster Gallery
- Reversible Blu-ray Insert
- A bonus DVD disc is included
VCI Entertainment added the brand-new audio commentary, but didn’t forget to add the archival audio commentary by director Jack Hill. Two commentaries make for tons of information, which is always nice. I also love the reversible artwork.
Mondo Keyhole is not going to be a mainstream release. This is going to be strictly for Jack Hill enthusiasts or exploitation film fans. So, if your fandom fits in those categories well, you may want to give this deluxe Blu-ray/DVD a shot.
***½ 3.5/5
Mondo Keyhole is out now from VCI/MVD.
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