[Susan Foreman]

'Santo vs. Doctor Death' (1973) - Blu-ray available from Vinegar Syndrome direct - $24.84

"Famed Mexican wrestler and secret agent, Santo "The Silver Mask," is back in action! This time, Santo is sent to Madrid not only for a big wrestling event, but also to investigate an international case involving counterfeit art. Shortly after arriving in Madrid, Santo is partnered with an Interpol Agent named Paul (aka. "Agent 9004") and the two are quickly greeted by a number of trigger-happy assassins sent to keep them from uncovering the truth behind the art forgeries. However, the case becomes even more complicated when Santo and Paul learn that beautiful models have been going missing and that it all may be linked to an art restorationist named Dr. Mann. Santo and Paul are sent to assist seductive Special Agent Susan who is sent undercover as a model to infiltrate Dr. Mann's castle. The three soon uncover Dr. Mann's elaborate plot to use the models as test subjects in a macabre experiment to perfect his art restoration process.

SANTO VS. DOCTOR DEATH has been hailed by many (including Santo himself) as not only one of the best Santo films, but one of the best of the "Lucha libre" genre that was popular during the 60s and 70s. One of the few Mexican-Spanish co-productions in the Santo filmography, this entry benefits not only from a slicker production but also from tightly choreographed fight scenes lead by director Rafael Romero Marchent (Sartana Kills Them All) and the addition of Euro actors Mirta Miller (Count Dracula's Great Love), Helga Liné (My Dear Killer), and Carlos Romero Marchent (Cut-Throats Nine) give this film more of a Eurocentric vibe than many of the other offerings in the Santo series. Vinegar Syndrome Archive is proud to present our first Santo film, scanned and restored in 2K from its 35mm original camera negative and for the first time since its initial release, presented in its intended widescreen aspect ratio."

Special features and specs:

• Region Free Blu-ray
• Newly scanned & restored in 2K from its 35mm original camera negative
• Presented in both its original Spanish language soundtrack and optional English language dub soundtrack
• Brand new video essay by film historian Orlando Jimenez
• Original theatrical trailer (Spanish and English)
• Alternate English title sequence
• Promotional image gallery
• Reversible cover artwork
• English SDH subtitles
• 97 min
• 1.85:1
• Spanish & English Mono