Arabella: Black Angel Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		2.5
Overall		4.0

Arabella: Black Angel Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf February 27, 2022

Cuckolding takes a dark turn in 1989’s “Arabella Black Angel,” which turns the secret desires of a married couple experiencing renewed vigor in their relationship into a grisly murder mystery. However, the spooky ways of a killer out to collect fresh victims is largely of secondary importance to director Stelvio Massi, who’s mostly here to create a softcore erotic thriller, keeping his main character mostly unclothed as the story attempts to find some clarity as it unfolds. “Arabella Black Angel” is sleazy stuff, but that’s the primary appeal of the endeavor, which isn’t too concerned with creating as puzzle for viewers to solve.

Arabella (Tini Cansino) is married to writer Francesco (Francesco Casale), who was rendered physically disabled after his wife performed oral sex on him while they drove away from their wedding ceremony. He’s sexually frustrated, soon discovering that Arabella is working on her own pleasure, hooking up with random men at night. When she’s sexually assaulted at one of these clubs, Arabella ends up killing her assailant in front of Francesco, who’s turned on by the experience, encouraging his spouse to continue meeting lovers, using the experience to inspire a new book. Shadowing Arabella is a mysterious killer, who isn’t so kind to these men, triggering attention from Inspector (Valentina Visconti), who’s dealing with her own problems.

Arabella: Black Angel Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.33:1 aspect ratio) presentation is sourced from a 2K scan of the original 35mm camera negative. "Arabella Black Angel" isn't drenched in style, but the production pays attention to color throughout, with deep reds on outfits, and more varied hues captured on decorative additions. Greenery is distinct. Skintones are natural. Detail is excellent, with skin particulars especially clear, exploring elements of age and erotic encounters. Distances remain dimensional. Costuming preserves sheerness and smoothness. Delineation is idea. Grain is fine and film-like. Source is in satisfactory condition, with a few noticeable points of damage.

Arabella: Black Angel Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 1.0 DTS-HD MA mix delivers a basic understanding of onscreen elements. Dialogue exchanges are preserved with comfortable emotionality. Scoring cues are clear with adequate electronic identification, including some snappier pop songs. Also included is a 2.0 Dolby Digital English-dubbed track.

Arabella: Black Angel Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Audio Essay features film historian Alexandra Heller-Nicholas.

• Alternate English Titles (3:44, HD) are provided.

• A Theatrical Trailer has not been included on this release.

Arabella: Black Angel Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

There isn't much to "Arabella Black Angel," which alternates between the eponymous character's sexual experiences and Inspector's investigation, which throttles the pacing of the effort. Massi can't manage the tone of the feature, but he's perfectly okay with delivering a sense of insanity, playing up the weirdness of the premise and the shock value of its violence. "Arabella Black Angel" is primarily out to titillate with lengthy scenes of rubbing and grinding, and it's not successful as a whodunit, but the oddness of it all wins out in the end, making for a semi-fascinating study of Italian tastes during the age of the erotic thriller.