The Mad Butcher (1971) from Tuna
The Mad Butcher (1971) is an Italian dark comedy that was picked up by Harry Novak for US distribution and originally titled Meat is Meat. Victor Buono starred  in the title role, and made the film. 
As the film opens, he is released from a mental hospital with a certificate proclaiming his sanity, and returns to his beloved butcher shop ("I am the best butcher in Vienna") and his not so beloved wife. It isn't long before he figures out a way to get the wife to stop nagging, and to get a cheap source of meat for his Vienna Sausages. His brother-in-law, and the hooker he brings home are also in the way, and as easily disposed of. (We see the hooker topless). 

NUDITY REPORT
see the main commentary
 His neighbor, played by Karen Field, is fond of undressing in front of a window with no shades. A reporter starts dating her, she is kicked out of the house she is a servant in, and the butcher invites her in. He, of course, tries to get amorous, and we see her breasts several times, and her buns.

DVD info from Amazon.

no widescreen

see notes to the right
The film is reminiscent of films like Eating Raoul, and is as good. The DVD transfer from Something Weird is another triumph by them, and there are loads of special features and Easter Eggs. C+ 

The Critics Vote

  • no articles online

The People Vote ...

  • With their votes ... IMDB summary: IMDb voters score it 5.0 
IMDb guideline: 7.5 usually indicates a level of excellence, about like three and a half stars from the critics. 6.0 usually indicates lukewarm watchability, about like two and a half stars from the critics. The fives are generally not worthwhile unless they are really your kind of material, about like two stars from the critics. Films under five are generally awful even if you like that kind of film, equivalent to about one and a half stars from the critics - or less, depending on just how far below five the rating is.

My own guideline: A means the movie is so good it will appeal to you even if you hate the genre. B means the movie is not good enough to win you over if you hate the genre, but is good enough to do so if you have an open mind about this type of film. C means it will only appeal to genre addicts, and has no crossover appeal. D means you'll hate it even if you like the genre. E means that you'll hate it even if you love the genre. F means that the film is not only unappealing across-the-board, but technically inept as well.

Based on this description, this film is a C+.

Return to the Movie House home page