DEATH CURSE OF TARTU/STING OF DEATH: Another Something Weird Video release

[Chris K.]

Two William Grefe sci-fi/horror classics DEATH CURSE OF TARTU (1967) and STING OF DEATH (1966) have been released on Something Weird Video DVD. The results are good and worth a look at.

DEATH CURSE OF TARTU: A group of college students go into the deep part of the Florida Everglades to study the areas of old indian grounds. But, they just happen to wake up Tartu, a rotted indian corpse medicine man who is able to tun himself into a shark, snake, alligator, or even his young self and knocks off each of the students. Considered long lost, DEATH CURSE OF TARTU was restored from a 35mm print (the only one available) and picture quality looks good. The audio commentary of William Grefe with interviewer Frank Henenlotter is a laugh riot as they both joke about the film and supply info on it as well.

STING OF DEATH: A wacko scientist turns himself into a jellyfish monster, threatens some scientists and kills off a couple of partygoers. And why? Becasue he is in love with the professor's daughter! STING OF DEATH waslong lost for years and never sold to television, but SWV unearthed the missing film. DEATH CURSE OF TARTU looks good through a 35mm print, but STING OF DEATH looks better since it was taken from the 35mm negative! The Grefe and Henenlotter commentary is priceless. Both love the film to death!

A collection of William Grefe trailers, short subject MIAMI OR BUST, and footage from LOVE GODESS OF BLOOD ISLAND are the extras for the day. I was disappointed by the fact that the back of the clamshell cover says their is a collection of Exploitation Art and Radio Spots, yet it's not on the disk! SWV first mistake, and hopefully their last.

Questions or comments?

[Flangepart]

Dang, i was young when i saw Death Curse of Tartu. I'm so old!(sob). Yeah, Matnees down town at the old Southern Theater. Now there was a place for B-movies! (Sigh). Oh well. Sounds like some prime Velveeta, Chris K.!

[StatCat]

Just bought this dvd today just judging by the cover and synopsis alone. They look like pretty fun trashy movies that I would enjoy.

[Swamp Thing]

What are peoples opinion on these? I always get told about them when looking for b-grade movies.

[lester1/2jr]

whoah statcat flangepart. this is an old ass thread. These movies are cool but the real selling point is the commentary tracks. I am not a big commentary track guy but these are really cool. it's the director talking about ultra low budget filmaking in the everglades. really wild.  sting of death is the better movie.

[StatCat]

wow I was surprised to see my name here, I figured this was a new thread. 2001, doesn't seem that long ago since I bought the dvd. I was into some way out stuff even at 16 

I like the movies though, they have a real campy 60s bright color feel, especially sting of death.