Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Autopsy Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf March 20, 2021

1975’s “Autopsy” is engineered to capture audience attention right away. The first 15 minutes of the movie offer strange visuals and gruesome events, with director Armando Crispino refusing to delay his vision for horror, commencing the endeavor with multiple suicides, vicious acts of sexual harassment/assault, and the procedural particulars of a morgue. Good luck finishing your popcorn with this initially brutal effort, which eventually settles down into a more palatable mystery, providing its most outrageous actions in the first reel.

Dr. Simona (Mimsy Farmer) is struggling with nightmarish visions while dealing with a violent outbreak of suicides in Rome, possibly triggered by solar activity. When a young woman is found dead on the beach, authorities suspect another self-termination, but her brother, Father Lenox (Barry Primus), disagrees, launching his own investigation into the crime, pulling Simona into the vicious odyssey.

“Autopsy” has that humdinger of an opening, soon settling into a detective story, through one that often detours into surreal encounters for Simona, who can’t shake the dead woman out of her head. The character has more to deal with than simple obsession, as “Autopsy” freely explores the obstacle course of sexual predators Simona must navigate on a daily business (including her own father), with Crispino offering his own fixation on groping and hostility, adding casual perversion to the feature’s to-do list, which also includes vague business concerning the power of sunspots. Mystery matters aren’t riveting, with the picture better off in freak-out mode, permitting the helmer to showcase his style, arranging set pieces and hostile encounters with enthusiasm.

Autopsy Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Autopsy" is sourced from a 2K scan of the 35mm original camera negative. Color is immediately striking, with period hues emerging with authority. Clothing is bright and inviting, and city tours retain a natural appearance. Some mild fluctuation is found in the last reel. Detail is strong with skin surfaces, with fine hairs and bodily harm crisply displayed. Exteriors retain dimension, and interiors present clear decoration, which includes graphic displays at times. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is heavy but film-like. Mild scratches and speckling are detected.

Autopsy Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix presents defined dialogue exchanges, with both English and Italian tracks provided. Dubbing is distinct and emotionality isn't too volatile, maintaining decent balance throughout the listening experience. Scoring is supportive, with satisfactory instrumentation, exploring some stranger sounds from composer Ennio Morricone.

Autopsy Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Intro (4:40, SD) is clip of director Armando Crispino discussing "Autopsy" at a screening appearance.

• "Editing & Rhythm" (11:42, SD) is a conversation between Francesco Crispino (Armando's son) and editor Daniele Alabiso. The conversation is limited to the titular topics, with Alabiso sharing his experience with Francesco during the production of "Commandos" and "Autopsy," with both pictures requiring different tonal approaches and timing requirements. Alabiso shares tidbits about the director's memory and his relationships with other members of the production team.

• "The Autopsy Papers" (9:54, HD) is an interview with Francesco Crispino, who shares early scripts and ideas from his father's film, "Autopsy," detailing the original plan for a trilogy of movies and initial concepts that were later explored in various drafts.

• "Black Hole Sun" (38:39, HD) returns to Francesco, who offers a biography for his father, exploring his early years, career choices, and film analysis.

• Alternate Italian Titles and End Credits (3:07, HD) are offered.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (3:44, HD) is included.

Autopsy Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Autopsy" doesn't sustain its craziness throughout the overlong run time, with the story taking a few breaks along the way to deal with unnecessary character business and, well, even more aggressive men. In fact, who really needs all the suicides when there's a fright film in Simona's daily life, trying to shut down openly lustful morgue attendants (who take their sexual frustrations out on dead bodies) and loved ones, barely making it through an encounter with the opposite sex without some form of condemnation or threat occurring. It's probably not the movie Crispino intended to make, but he's certainly exact in his depiction of intimidation.