Arrow Films 

Six models. Six victims for a crazed masked killer.

It’s hard to overestimate the influence that Mario Bava’s stunning 1964 thriller Blood and Black Lace has had on the gialli and slasher movies that followed in its wake, so what a treat it is to enjoy it in such a beautiful transfer, newly restored and uncut from the original camera negative.

The vibrant Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible) image just radiates with colour, the gaudy colours of Bava’s palette have never looked richer. Scenes are bathed in vibrant greens and reds, this disc essentially serving as a testcard for your TV’s colour range.

Starting with stylised opening titles with the main characters standing frozen in tableaux, we follow a series of murders at the Christian haute couture house. There’s a masked killer in raincoat and hat, lurking in the woods and committing brutal acts. There’s a convoluted plot, unlikely murderer, backstabbing (literal and figurative) and a groovy score by Carlo Rustichelli. In short, it’s the perfect giallo.

2018’s Blu-ray release by Arrow was already an excellent disc, and this new 4K ports over the existing commentary by Tim Lucas, excellent hour-long documentary Psycho Analysis, an appreciation by Hélène Cattet & Bruno Forzani, a visual essay Gender and Giallo, a panel discussion on Mario Bava, a TV episode about Cameron Mitchell, a trailer and alternative US opening titles, sourced from Joe Dante’s private print. The Limited edition includes a book of new writing, foldout poster and six double-sided collector’s postcards.

Verdict: Bava’s classic horror thriller just got more colourful and pops right off your screen. 10/10

Nick Joy

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