El Duce Tapes (Blu-ray Review)

Reviewed By Jason Lockard

To be a successful band you have to have a hook. Something that set you apart from the rest. Well, The Mentors were a shock rock band from the 1970s and 1990s. The lead singer was Eldon Hoke known as El Duce, and he called their music "Rape Rock".

In the early 90s, General Hospital co-star Ryan Sexton, who also happened to be an aspiring filmmaker had the idea to make a film. But not just any film oh no! He decided to take a VHS camcorder to clubs and apartments in Hollywood following El Duce and the Mentors documenting this shocking career and lifestyle of this group.

Now 30 years later the team behind The Nightmare and Room 237 and the editor of Leap of Faith: William Friedkin on The Exorcist uncover this dusty stockpile of long forgotten and unseen footage. Than they put together a video picture of the shocking, disgusting career of this shock rocker.

When you look at this film you see how much of a different world the 90s was. I'm not saying better! I'm not saying worse! I am just saying different. I'm not a fan of the Mentors music, but I will say this is an interesting look into the music of the shock rock band.

The documentary is produced from the original VHS tapes, thus the film is in 1.37:1 full frame, but it is a HD 1080p presentation. The picture has the retro look of analogue videotape, because it is. Complete with blue screens and tracking issues. The audio is 5.1 DTS-HD MA complete with a new score. Also included on the Blu-ray is English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing.

Arrow Video has loaded this release with a good chunk of bonus features. Take a look at what is included.

Brand new audio commentary with The El Duce Tapes crew

The Ryan Sexton Tapes 34-minute illustrated audio conversation between Ryan Sexton and producer Tim Kirk about the shooting of the original VHS footage

The Nilbog Tapes Video of the band recording the original score for the film

More El Duce Tapes A free-standing alternate assembly of unused material, sort of a sideways sequel

Tape 2: Hollywood Reservoir A piece of raw tape providing a peek behind the scenes of the process of shooting the footage and a candid document of El Duce and Ryan s rapport

El Duce Stories A humorous cut-up of a few of El Duce s famously long aimless stories into one completely incomprehensible and endless word salad

Return to Rape Rock Mountain A brand new interview with Steve Broy, aka Dr. Heathen Scum of The Mentors

Reality Check presents the all-female El Duce tribute band The Womentors

Reversible sleeve featuring newly commissioned artwork by John Pearson and reverse art by Benjamin Marra

This documentary is a interesting one, but in this day and age it will be offensive. The language and perverse dialogue of El Duce is bound to ruffle a lot of feathers. especially in the politically correct world we find ourselves now. But I think it is a type of film to learn from mistakes. After all "Those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it."

If you are a fan of punk rock or documentaries the deluxe Blu-ray of The El Duce Tapes from Arrow Video is going to be one you release you are going to add to your library. Head over to Amazon.com and get your copy today.



Out of 4 Film reels (4 being the best) Arrow Video's Blu-ray of The El Duce Tapes receives...