Rating summary

Movie		2.0
Video		3.0
Audio		2.5
Extras		2.0
Overall		3.0

Crimson Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf May 30, 2016

1973’s “Crimson” offers dim-bulb criminals, shoot-outs, sex, police chases, mad scientists, and a human head transplant, and yet, somehow, the production makes the macabre and the absurd feel like punishment. Frightfully dull work from director Juan Fortuny, “Crimson” has a strange way of ignoring the possibilities of its premise, using copious amounts of exposition and vague depictions of sleaze to slowly put viewers to sleep. Handed a chance to make a weirdo thriller that touches on medical impossibility, and Fortuny chooses to make a crime picture that’s so inert, it’s a wonder why the story even bothers with such an outlandish plot to begin with.

Misfortune visits a team of crooks when one of their own is shot in the head by the police, requiring an extended stay in the country and the services of a curious scientist skilled at swapping human heads. It’s not rocket science, with other features taking on similar ideas, making “Crimson” feel like a throwback to a horror picture from the 1950s. And yet, Fortuny doesn’t lean into the bigness of the idea, preferring to use absurdity only to motivate a game of underworld chess, watching participants struggle with outside attention and gangland interaction while a familiar face, sewn to a fresh body, begins to experience all the uncontrollable impulses the surgical combination triggers.

“Crimson” is presented with two cuts on the Blu-ray: the English Version (89:31) and the French Version (98:17), the latter including extensive softcore (and hilariously awkward) sex scenes to help bring out more of an exploitation vibe from the effort.

Crimson Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.67:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Crimson" is listed as "Mastered in HD from the original 35mm film elements," helping to bring this obscure movie to Blu-ray. The results are mixed at best, only periodically hitting an HD groove where the visual impact of the effort can be viewed, allowing for passable detail with period looks and ghoulish developments, while colors look slightly faded, but remain appealing. Poor processing to brighten dark scenes tends to break down blacks, and artifacting is present, with noisy bursts erupting from time to time. Source isn't in top shape, showcasing skipped and slipping frames, while scratches and speckling are common. I'm sure this is the best "Crimson" has ever looked on home video, making the achievements of this disc easy to appreciate.

Crimson Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 Dolby Digital sound mix is basic and dulled due to age. While intelligibility isn't ruined, clarity isn't welcome, leaving dialogue exchanges muddy. Scoring is loud and intrusive, without precision. Hiss and pops carry throughout the listening experience.

Crimson Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film historian Richard Harland Smith (on the English Version only).

• A Theatrical Trailer has not been included.

Crimson Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Maybe admirers of Euro chillers are the only audience for "Crimson," which grows more frustrating to watch as the production refuses to do anything exciting with the story. There's attention to nude women, paranoid crooks, and random dance sequences, but the plot never comes alive, refusing to pay off what should be an easy lay-up in terms of B-movie highlights.