6.1 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
Saint Simon, a deranged and manic painter, believes that he is the reincarnation of Vincent van Gogh. When his beautiful wife dies unexpectedly, Simon suffers an emotional breakdown and insists that his necrophiliac butler, Hermann, help remove her corpse from the cemetery and bring it back to his castle to help him retain his creativity; placing the body on display inside of a hidden crypt. Still struggling with his art, Simon soon meets a young woman named Sybille, who bears a striking resemblance to his late wife, and lures her back to the castle with the intention of making her into his new muse. Trapped inside, Sybille must find a way to escape the horrors taking place within the castle walls, as Simon has recently discovered that human blood may hold the key to unlocking his true creative potential.
Starring: John Phillip Law, Olinka Hardiman, Brigitte Christensen, Marco Di Stefano, Gordon MitchellHorror | 100% |
Foreign | 63% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.67:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.66:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)
Italian: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)
English, English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
Writer/director Sergio Bergonzelli attempts to go gothic with 1988’s “Blood Delirium,” and he has a peculiar way of reaching into nightmare realms. The first scene of the film follows a young woman who returns home from work, undresses and begins to prepare an evening meal for her boyfriend, as one does while nearly nude. She receives a message on an answering machine from her future self, warning that trouble is coming for her, leaving her in a state of confusion. Viewers too, and the picture somehow gets stranger than its opening moments, with Bergonzelli playing with supernatural elements and graphic violence to detail a descent into madness. “Blood Delirium” isn’t something to enjoy as a suspenseful clash of realities. Instead, it’s a hoot, going hog-wild with odd events and cinematic excesses, with the feature trying to overwhelm viewers with shock, hoping to generate a fear factor as Bergonzelli works through his fetishes.
The AVC encoded image (1.67:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Blood Delirium" is sourced from a 2K scan of the original camera negative. Touring castle interiors and showcasing plenty of skin surfaces, the viewing experiences retains compelling detail throughout, with excellent textures on facial particulars and costuming. Exteriors maintain deep distances. Color retains Italian countryside warmth and brighter primaries on displays of art. Blood reds are distinct. Gothic interiors are also stable, along with natural skin tones. Delineation is satisfactory, preserving shadowy events. Grain is fine and film-like. Source is in good condition, with mild wear and tear and some debris.
Two 2.0 DTS-HD MA tracks are offered, with English and Italian choices presented. Clarity is strong on both options, with the English mix offering mild sibilance issues, but nothing overwhelming. Scoring cues support with authority, offering decent instrumentation and emphasis during nightmare encounters. Sound effects are blunt but appreciable.
"Blood Delirium" plays with precognition and poltergeists, and there's more to Hermann's horror, as he's developed a certain appetite while dealing with dead bodies. There's so much ugliness and randomness, but Bergonzelli doesn't make a mean movie. The helmer seems genuinely invested in creating a gothic tale of fixation and frenzy, doing whatever he can to keep the picture compelling, even with lurid detours into horrifying actions. Characterization isn't prized and storytelling fades away, but "Blood Delirium" has a vibe and moments of enticing absurdity (Law goes full ham portraying a fried man), making it a decent selection for a "Bad Movie Night" viewing, especially for those capable of following a filmmaker's blunt vision for twisted behavior. Those interested in nude meal prep are also in for a treat.
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