Before the reckless, short-tempered surgeon Dr. Bruckner was able to continue his controversial neurological experiments, wherein he applied shock therapy on comatose patients, he wound up in a fiery head-on collision with a gasoline truck. Brought back to his own hospital, gravely wounded, he lies in a coma for seven years, until one New Year's Eve, when he suddenly awakens, ready to exact bloody vengeance fueled by his years' worth of pent-up rage. After massacring several hospital staff, Bruckner sets his sights on a young orderly named Peter, tracking him to a quiet suburban neighborhood. Blinded by cold bloodlust, anyone and everyone who crosses Bruckner's path soon meets a grisly demise, as Peter, his neighbor and her kid brother, must figure out how to survive the wrath of this deformed and demented doctor.
The feature-film debut of multi-talented Dutch director Dorna X. van Rouveroy (An Amsterdam Tale), INTENSIVE CARE is the first and only Dutch horror film directed by a woman to date. Inspired heavily by the style and structure of 80s horror, and specifically created for the export market, it would remain virtually unreleased in the English world despite becoming a hit in the Netherlands and Belgium, in part due to its casting of two Dutch teen idols, actor/TV presenter Nada van Nie and pop star Koen Wauters. Packed with dramatic, gory kills and classic slasher ambience, it features prolific veteran actor George Kennedy (Demonwarp) as Bruckner, as well as supporting roles played by Dolf de Vries (The 4th Man), Jules Croiset (Amsterdamned), and Dick van den Toorn (Pastorale 1943). Vinegar Syndrome Labs is eager to revive this rollicking Euro-chiller in a new, director-supervised restoration of its English-language Director's Cut.
directed by: Dorna X. van Rouveroy
starring: George Kennedy, Nada van Nie, Koen Wauters, Dolf de Vries, Jules Croiset, Dick van den Toorn
1991 / 76 min / 1.85:1 / English 5.1 Surround + 2.0 Stereo
Additional info:
Region A Blu-ray
Newly scanned and restored in 2K from its 35mm original negative and a 35mm print
Commentary track with film historians Yfke van Berckelaer and Bram Roza
"35 Years Later" (23 min) - an in-depth conversation with director Dorna X. van Rouveroy
Behind-the-scenes footage (9 min)
International trailer
Reversible sleeve artwork
English SDH subtitles