Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		0.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.0

Blood and Black Lace 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman September 25, 2023

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.

As indicated above, Arrow has already released Blood and Black Lace on a number of occasions for both Region A and Region B, and those wanting plot summaries and technical analyses can refer to my Blood and Black Lace Blu-ray review of the Region A release and Svet Atanasov's Blood and Black Lace Blu-ray review of the 2015 Region B release.

Blood and Black Lace 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

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.

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.

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.

Blood and Black Lace 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

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.

Blood and Black Lace 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

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.

• Commentary by Tim Lucas is a typically exhaustive and well done piece by the Bava and giallo expert.


• Psycho Analysis (HD; 55:08) is an interesting examination of the film, and giallo generally, which features a generous assortment of interviews with the likes of Dario Argento and Lamberto Bava (Mario Bava's son).


• Hélène Cattet and Bruno Forzani (HD; 10:35) is a kind of casual joint interview with the creative forces behind Amer. Some find my interview with them (done at the time of the Blu-ray release of Amer) to be of some interest.


• Theatrical Trailer (HD; 3:24)


• Gender and Giallo (HD; 38:01) is an interesting piece by Michael Mackenzie where he separates the genre into "F-giallo" and "M-giallo" depending on the gender of the protagonist(s). This comes with a warning that it includes spoilers for countless gialli.


• Blood and Bava (HD; 11:21) is a panel discussion featuring Dario Argento, Lamberto Bava and Steve Dellacasa, from the 2014 Courmayeur Film Festival.


• The Sinister Image (HD; 56:25) is a two part appreciation of Cameron Mitchell hosted by David Del Valle.


• US Opening (HD; 1:56) is an alternate animated credits sequence done by Filmation for the film's American release.


• Image Galleries (HD)

  Posters

  
  

  Lobby Cards

  
  

  Stills

  
  

  US Pressbook

  
  

  German Pressbook

  
  

  Miscellaneous

Additionally, this is another very handsomely designed limited edition from Arrow with a reversible sleeve offering original and newly commissioned artwork by Ilan Sheady, a really nice 60 page perfect bound book featuring essays by Howard Hughes, Alan Jones, David Del Valle, Rachael Nisbet and Kat Ellinger, a fold out double sided poster and six double sided collector's postcards. Everything is housed in a nice slipbox which itself has a slipcover.

Blood and Black Lace 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

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.