Devil Hunter

Severin have clearly put a lot of work into this DVD, not least in sourcing a longer version than any previously extant. While the low-budget nature of the film is obviously something that cannot be overcome, it's a delight to see another Franco film in a presentation that actually allows you to appreciate what he was trying to do rather than putting aesthetic obstacles in the way. Perhaps this isn't sufficient to make Devil Hunter a recommendation to those with more mainstream tastes or a low tolerance for 'bad' cinema, but as a disc 'by fans for fans' it is exemplary.

By way of extras the disc features a new, on-camera interview with Franco, running 16 minutes. He indicates his relative lack of enthusiasm for the cannibal film, such that it was something Eurocine approached him to make rather than the other way around, and the subtle differences between a monster which sometimes happens to eat people and the cannibal.

Long-time followers of the director will be interested to hear about his methods of working with non-actors, which suggest a vague affinity with Robert Bresson's more famous use of models; the details about the real identity of actress Britt Nichols; analysis of the work of Massimo Dallamano – a better director of photography than a director, but one who knew his limitations; memories of the hype around Ruggero Deodato's notorious Cannibal Holocaust – and various other nuggets.