Zombie Holocaust / Dr. Butcher M.D. (1980)
Running time: 89 mins.
Directed by: Marino Girolami. Produced by: Gianfranco Couyoumdjian, Fabrizio De Angelis.
Cast: Ian McCulloch, Alexandra Delli Colli, Sherry Buchanan, Peter O’Neal, Donald O’Brien, Dakar

Marino Girolami’s directon is workmanlike at best. Fausto Zuccoli’s photography bland, with most scenes merely filmed in master shot, and a sloppy zoom here and there. The asian extras playing cannibals and natives are among the most unconvincing this side of CANNIBAL TERROR. Yet the film is not without its charm and forgiving viewers will have their fun with it.

Curiously, in the French-language dub of ZOMBIE HOLOCAUST the villainous Dr Obrero (played by veteran Donal O’Brian) is actually called Dr O’Brian. While not very well done, the French dub unintentionally adds some enjoyment to the viewing, especially for those who already know the (also rather poor) English dub by heart. And what’s with the line “he’s got Schweizer’s disease” in the French dub “he’s a disciple of Dr. Schweizer”, which makes more sense actually.

Ultimately, ZOMBIE HOLOCAUST is more fun to read about and discuss than to actually watch. The staging is primitive, plot derivative and gore scenes are unconvincing and filmed without much competence. Ripping off ZOMBIE to the point of directly recycling bits of footage from Fulci’s hit film and yet low on zombie action, ZOMBIE HOLOCAUST is a tawdry affair.

Reviewed by Alex Bakshaev on 22 March 2020