Blu-ray Review: The Human Centipede (The Complete Sequence)

Blu-ray Reviews, Reviews, Top Story

There’s so many gross horror films that have been released over the last few decades that it can be hard to tell them apart. How can the next Eli Roth make a film that will set it apart from the latest Eli Roth? How can they reach down and discover a concept so horrible that it won’t be treated as a fan fiction version of Saw? Not merely gross out an audience, but do it in such a twisted fashion that it becomes a sensation. Dutch director Tom Six did such an accomplishment when The Human Centipede (First Sequence) became the must see at numerous horror festivals. The Human Centipede (The Complete Sequence) brings together all three films so that fans can truly merge the experience together with unrated director’s cuts.

The Human Centipede (First_Sequence) has the classic set up for young American girls traveling across Europe on their own instead of taking be part of a tour group. Lindsay (Ashley C. Williams) and Jenny (Ashlynn Yennie) are cruising through Germany when their car gets a flat tire. They knock on the door of a nearby house and find a very helpful Dr Josef Heiter (Dieter Laser). He used to be a world famous surgeon who specialized in separating conjoined twins. After the ladies are drugged, they find about his diabolical plan. He wants to join them with a Japanese tourist to create the Human Centipede. He’s joining them mouth to butt so that only one person needs to eat. The trio do their best to escape, but what are the odds that a German doctor will be stopped from his demented obsession? The film delivers on the sick and twisted buzz that came from the early showings. This was not for the squeamish and could impress those already bored with Hostel. This wasn’t about a mere sadomasochist on the loose. This was doctor wanting to push medical science in a way that nobody demanded.

The movie became a late night film sensation and a cultural event. They even turned it into a South Park episode. It was only natural that they would make sequels since how many Saw films have been released? However Tom Six wasn’t just going to crank out further adventures of people being stitched together. He created a movie that serves as a reflection on how cinema can motivate a viewer to live the dream. The Human Centipede 2 (Full Sequence) focuses on superfan Martin (Laurence R. Harvey). He spends most of his time working at a parking deck watching the original film in the booth. He has figured out that the doctor’s dream is based on medically accurate work. He thinks he can go beyond just three people tied together. The rather gross roly poly Martin begins to collect subjects for his greatest dream. The movie was released in black and white, but the brutality might as well be Technicolor. This is a movie that defines the phrase “video nasty.” He works on his victims inside a warehouse. Since he’s not a medical professional, Martin improvises the doctor’s work with duct tape and a staple gun. There’s a meta moment when original Centipede girl Ashlynn Yennie gets lured to the warehouse to truly get stitched into the reality.

The Human Centipede 3 (Final Sequence) ends the series on a exploration of America’s penal system that merges a John Oliver segment with an episode of Oz. This is a fine piece of over the top prison action that’s normally acquainted with a women in prison movie. The movie breaks conventions by having the previous stars return in all new roles. Bill Boss (Dieter Laser) is a bald prison warden who is freaking out that he’s not quite making the numbers desired by the state. His weaselly accounting Dwight Butler (Laurence R. Harvey) has a brilliant idea on how to reduce violent outbreaks, the food budget and boosting rehabilitation numbers. He wants to link all the prisoners together in a Human Centipede. Bill Boss loves the films, but can they possibly work? After a bad visit from the governor (Star 80‘s Eric Roberts), Boss needs to do something radical to save his job. Luckily there’s no empathy between the warden and his prisoners that include tattooed Robert LaSardo (Nip/Tuck) and Tommy “Tiny” Lister (The President in The Fifth Element). They bring in director Tom Six to get reassured that the Human Centipede procedure is based on medical fact. How will the governor react to seeing that all the prisoners are peaceful in the yard since they’re all connected head to butt? The third installment is a sadistic satire that will probably influence prison reform for a few presidential candidates that are irony impaired. The film does claim it is medically accurate.

The Human Centipede trilogy is an amazing cinematic experience. Tom Six could have easily cranked out three films that seem the same. Instead he used the second to explore fan obsessiveness and the third to point out the danger of seeing fictional films as documentaries. Yet all three films don’t sacrifice their ability to be gruesome gross out marathons. Six truly found the way to go one step beyond The Island of Dr. Moreau.

The video for all films is 1.85:1 anamorphic. The HD transfer gives such detail that you can perform the surgery at home. The audio is 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio for those who haven’t attached the surround sound to the TV. The subtitles are in English and Spanish.

Audio Commentaries featuring Tom Six are featured on all the movies. Six is a good natured guy who enjoys what he created.

The Human Centipede (First Sequence) Unrated Director’s Cut:

The Ladies of the Human Centipedes (47:44) interviews Ashley C. Williams, Ashlynn Yennie, Maddi Black, and Kandace Caine. How did they get linked together? They seem cool knowing they will always be remembered for this moment.

Behind-the-Scenes footage (8:40) is video from the shoot.

Deleted Scene (1:31) is the doctor dancing to his surgical success.

Interview with director Tom Six (5:08) explains where the idea came from. He swears a real-life surgeon made the movie medical accurate.

Casting Tapes (1:58) takes us back to a time when the actresses weren’t that connected.

Foley Session (4:41) is fun with meat and poultry to get the right sounds in the film.

Alternate Poster Gallery (1:26) is other joining views.

Theatrical Trailer (2:22) reminds us why you should always be part of a package tour.

The Human Centipede 2 (Full Sequence) Unrated Director’s Cut:

The Color Version of the film really ups the gross factor.

Laurence Harvey’s audition tape (5:56) is shocking at how nice he seems. What an actor.

Interview with director Tom Six (12:34) seems taken on the set of Part 3 judging by the cowboy hat. He explains why he went with the super fan concept. He also found it easier to find actors wanting to be part of the Human Centipede after the first film came out.

Tour of the Warehouse Set (9:15) is a visit with Ashlynn Yennie. She exposed the fake butts!

Foley Session (3:06) reminds you that those sick noises came from somewhere. There’s meat being stabbed to capture one element of the film.

Deleted Scene (0:23) involves a dog left in a car.

Making of the Poster (2:17) has a cameraman create his own centipede for still shots.

Alternate Poster Gallery (2:15) includes a few amazing views that could have lured you out to the cineplex.

Theatrical Trailer (2:08) sets audiences up for the ultimate obsessed fan.

Teaser (0:52) promises more of what made you squirm the first time.

Promo (2:08) was to get people to rent the movie On Demand. Tom Six pumps up Martin as one sick guy.

The Human Centipede 3 (Final Sequence) Unrated Director’s Cut:

The Making of The Human Centipede 3 featurette (26:05) takes us onto the prison set for the final installment with familiar faces. Bree Olsen seems happy showing things off. Probably nothing as shocking as her time with Charlie Sheen.

Deleted Scenes (1:45) is more time with Eric Roberts. There’s even an iPad joke which ties it to the South Park episode. Tom Six also has a touching scene with a co-star.

Alternate Ending (4:01) makes it all a dream. But what is the reality?

Still Gallery (5:27) is the views from the production.

Teaser Trailer (1:14) comes with a warning. “The Taste Will Never Leave Your Mouth” is a great slogan.

Theatrical Trailer (2:05) makes this seem gentle when compared to other techniques used in prisons.

The Human Centipede (The Complete Sequence) is a monument to how far a sick idea can go in cinema.

Scream Factory presents The Human Centipede (The Complete Sequence). Directed by: Tom Six. Screenplay by: Tom Six. Starring: Dieter Laser, Laurence R. Harvey, Robert LaSardo, Tommy “Tiny” Lister and Eric Roberts. Rated: Unrated. Boxset Contents: 3 movies on 3 Blu-rays. Released: October 27, 2015.

Joe Corey is the writer and director of "Danger! Health Films" currently streaming on Night Flight and Amazon Prime. He's the author of "The Seven Secrets of Great Walmart People Greeters." This is the last how to get a job book you'll ever need. He was Associate Producer of the documentary "Moving Midway." He's worked as local crew on several reality shows including Candid Camera, American's Most Wanted, Extreme Makeover Home Edition and ESPN's Gaters. He's been featured on The Today Show and CBS's 48 Hours. Dom DeLuise once said, "Joe, you look like an axe murderer." He was in charge of research and programming at the Moving Image Archive.