7.5 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Isabella, a young model is murdered by a mysterious masked figure at a boarding house run by Max Morlacchi and his lover Countess Cristiana Como. When Isabella's boyfriend is suspected of the killing, her diary, which apparently has some incriminating evidence linking her to the killer, dissapears, the masked killer begins killing off all the models in and around the house to find the diary...
Starring: Cameron Mitchell, Eva Bartok, Thomas Reiner, Ariana Gorini, Dante DiPaoloHorror | 100% |
Foreign | 66% |
Mystery | 18% |
Thriller | Insignificant |
Video codec: HEVC / H.265
Video resolution: 4K (2160p)
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: LPCM Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)
Italian: LPCM Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)
English, English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
4K Ultra HD
Slipcover in original pressing
Region B (A, C untested)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 0.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 5.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Arrow is revisiting Blood and Black Lace, in both 1080 and 4K UHD formats after having released the film for both Region A and Region B in some rather nice 1080 editions several years ago. The biggest change in this new transfer is the aspect ratio (1.85:1 here vs. 1.67:1 previously), as well as a somewhat different looking palette. Arrow has included almost all of the previously released supplements, and upped the ante vis a vis packaging with another beautifully designed limited edition that offers a bunch of non disc swag.
Note: Screenshots are sourced off of Arrow's separate standalone 1080 release (i.e., no 1080 disc is included in this package).
Blood and Black Lace is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Arrow Video with an HEVC / H.265 encoded 2160p transfer in 1.85:1. Arrow's
insert
booklet contains the following information on the restoration:
Blood and Black Lace (Sei donne per l'assassino) is presented in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio with Italian and English mono sound and has been exclusively restored for this release by Arrow Films.Both Svet and I addressed the curious aspect ratio discrepancy in Arrow's first release, but whatever the reasons were for that issue, they've been corrected here. This new 4K scan not only offers a slightly different framing, as can be seen by comparing screenshots between the many reviews, but while this mimics Arrow's new 1080 release's slightly darker look, HDR and/or Dolby Vision really do some interesting things with the palette, to the point that I suspect some viewers more used to the almost overblown hues in both Arrow's old and new 1080 version(s) may actually prefer those to this 4K UHD outing. Things are surprisingly cooled down in this version and some of the reds in particular assume a somewhat more crimson or "rust" tone (if you get both versions Arrow has released, pay attention to things like the fashion house sign in the early scenes for just one example of this tendency). That said, some of the more lurid reds and blues in particular really pop beautifully in this version. Detail levels enjoy a noticeable if subtle uptick, especially in some of the extreme close-ups, where things like facial pores are virtually palpable now. Regular readers of my reviews may know that I don't always react well to how grain resolves in 4K UHD offerings, but I have to say things are commendably "tight" here for the most part, though occasionally grain can assume a slightly chunky, yellowish quality. HDR and/or Dolby Vision also arguably offer a bit more shadow detail than Arrow's new 1080 version, but I'd frankly say not by a huge amount.
The original 35mm camera negative was scanned and restored in 4K resolution at L'Immagine Ritrovata, Bologna. The film was graded in SDR, HDR10 and Dolby Vision at Silver Salt Restoration, London.
The soundtracks were sourced from the optical sound negatives. The Italian mono soundtrack was remastered at L'Immagine Ritrovata. The English mono soundtrack was remastered by Bad Princess Productions.
All materials sourced for this restoration were made available by Movietime.
I had slightly diminished Svet's score for the audio when I reviewed the Region A release, but it sounds to me like some further work was done on the LPCM Mono tracks (in Italian and English) for this release, so that at least some of the distortion noticed in the prior releases has been ameliorated if not outright eliminated, so I'm re-upping things for this release. If you toggle between the two options, you can clearly hear that the Italian track is a bit louder and probably slightly clearer and brighter in the upper registers, something that may make the strident trumpet cues actually a bit brash for some ears. Otherwise, though, both tracks provide secure accounts of dialogue, effects and score. Optional English subtitles are available.
Arrow ports over almost all of the on disc supplements from their prior release (eliminating the Yellow short, perhaps for licensing reasons), while adding a bunch of image galleries that weren't present on the first releases.
- Posters
- Lobby Cards
- Stills
- US Pressbook
- German Pressbook
- Miscellaneous
Blood and Black Lace is one of those films that is sui generis, despite the fact that it obviously influenced scores of film which followed in its wake. Arrow has served fans of the film quite well by revisiting it for this new release, but some may want to check out Arrow's simultaneous 1080 version, since my hunch is the HDR/Dolby Vision grading on this release may surprise some viewers. One way or the other, technical merits are solid and as usual with Arrow releases, both on disc supplements and non disc swag are exceptional. Highly recommended.
Sei donne per l'assassino
1964
Sei donne per l'assassino | Limited Edition
1964
Sei donne per l'assassino
1964
Sei donne per l'assassino | Limited Edition
1964
Sei donne per l'assassino | Arte Originale | Limited Edition
1964
Sei donne per l'assassino | Special Edition
1964
Sei donne per l'assassino | Special Edition
1964
L'uccello dalle piume di cristallo
1970
Profondo rosso | Remastered
1975
Special Edition
1982
Reazione a catena / Twitch of the Death Nerve
1971
Il gatto a nove code | Limited Edition
1971
1980
La morte cammina con i tacchi alti
1971
I corpi presentano tracce di violenza carnale
1973
Cosa avete fatto a Solange?
1972
La ragazza che sapeva troppo / Evil Eye
1963
Sette orchidee macchiate di rosso / The Italian Collection #59
1972
La bestia uccide a sangue freddo / Slaughter Hotel | The Italian Collection #32
1971
1977
Special Edition
1985
Mil gritos tiene la noche
1982
Non si sevizia un paperino
1972
Slasher Classics Collection #35
1976
Una farfalla con le ali insanguinate
1971
4 mosche di velluto grigio | 40th Anniversary Edition
1971
Le foto di Gioia / The Italian Collection #29
1987