I finally got around to scanning through Retromedia's DVD of "THE RED HEADED CORPSE" and it's an edited print of the film. The old VHS from Private Screenings (under the title "SWEET SPIRITS") runs app. 86 minutes. The DVD version runs 78 minutes and it even has longer opening credits than the VHS print.

I haven't done a side-by-side analysis, but I immeditaely remembered a scene with two of the hippies near the beginning of the film running and frolicking (some nudity) in the woods. That scene is completely missing on the DVD. I'm sure there are other scenes missing as that sequence only lasted a couple of minutes. I didn't notice anything on the DVD version that wasn't in the vhs so it appears the DVD is simply edited and not an alternate cut.

I know it's a minor euro-trash film and Retromedia is not usually known for quality or restoration of any kind, but it's still disappointing that it's cut because I enjoy the film and Erika Blanc is fun in it. The print on the DVD is also riddled with heavy scratches and the colors are muted. The SWEET SPIRITS tape looks a lot better.

I was just reading about this on another forum and remembered I wanted to check it out. so this is interesting. My local video store still has tons of those Private Screening tapes, but I never knew what that alternate title was, so I can now go grab that to check it out. thanks!

Thanks for the info, Jeff. The print of SATANIK on this triple feature disc runs a couple minutes shorter than an older VHS tape I have from Sinister Cinema. The disc cuts out most of a song played by a rock band in a night club, in the latter half of the movie. My guess is there was a problem licensing the song.

On the plus side, this disc eliminates the "chirping" sounds from the beginning of FACELESS MONSTER, which was an issue on Retromedia's single release of that title.

I think some of the difference in the running times between the two versions of RED HEADED CORPSE is due to the PAL source (I haven't seen the Retromedia version but I've heard its a French source).

Ya, they fixed that awful chirping thing on FACELESS MONSTER, thank goodness, and that movie alone makes this disc definitely worth picking up. The other two movies are simply gravy.

I just caught up with SWEET SPIRITS, and it appears to have been edited with a lawnmower. Blunt, crude spices with loud audio pops abound. I could not tell if the trouble I have following the plot was the directors fault, or a result of a badly cobbled together English dubbed print.
It is one confusing movie and at teh end I was not clear on a major character's fate....btu Erica Blanc looks fab throughout and certainly made it worth my time. I am curious about the other version though, and wonder if it's any more coherent?

Thanks for the info, John. I no longer have the SWEET SPIRITS tape and I don't recall the pops and edits. That said, the DVD print only runs 78 miniutes and is still clearly missing footage that is on the longer SWEET SPRITS tape (such as the hippie scene). It's possible they are simply alternate cuts or they are just both edited prints. If you do get a chance to see the DVD, it would be interesting what differences you may see as it would be fresher in your mind. Thanks.

Its been a while since I looked at the SWEET SPIRITS version but I know there is at least one reel out of order. When Granger hears a motorcycle outside his studio, he opens the door to run out and we cut to Venantini in the police inspector's office. About 10 minutes later, we cut back to Granger coming outside and finding the hippies in the woods.