Danger: Diabolik 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

Danger: Diabolik 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov July 26, 2025

Mario Bava's "Danger: Diabolik" (1968) arrives on 4K Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber. The supplemental features on the release include archival audio commentary by star John Phillip Law and critic Tim Lucas; archival audio commentary by critics Troy Howarth and Nathaniel Thompson; vintage documentary; music video; and trailers. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

Money does not buy happiness -- except when it does.

Mario Bava’s Danger: Diabolik truly is in a category of its own, and the strength of its visuals, which is undeniable, is just one of many reasons why. Another significant reason is its reimagining of the classic comic character as a spectacular cinematic anti-hero, impossible not to cheer for. The comics sell this character in an entirely different way. The hand-drawn version of him is utilized as a catalyst for pure, unquestionably attractive yet one-dimensional action, and it is a pop artifact whose appeal is limited. In Danger: Diabolik, the new anti-hero is the definition of cinematic cool, exuding confidence and machismo that make him attractive to a vastly larger and more diverse audience. Another significant reason is Bava and the new anti-hero’s ability to transform kitsch into pop art. This transformation is the major advantage Danger: Diabolik has over all other Eurospy films that emerged during the 1960s and 1970s -- it provides it with a distinct, flashy but marvelous style.

The narrative is just a container for situations and relationships that Bava utilizes to make the reimagination of the classic comic character effective. (This is why Danger: Diabolik has, according to some of its biggest critics, an odd episodic structure). In the best of these situations, Diabolik (John Phillip Law) steals a twenty-ton gold ingot, which he then transports to his secret lair with the assistance of his beautiful girlfriend, Eva Kant (Marisa Mell). Earlier, Diabolik also climbs a huge tower to steal an exquisite emerald necklace for his girlfriend’s birthday, fully aware that his greatest nemesis, Inspector Ginko (Michel Piccoli), has set a trap for him. Diabolik even clashes with a famous criminal boss (Adolfo Celi) who teams up with Inspector Ginko and kidnaps his girlfriend.

Bava directs with flair that genuinely dazzles. However, this flair is coupled with very smart art direction and editing choices, easily creating the impression that Danger: Diabolik was a dramatically bigger project. This is a very important detail to remember because Danger: Diabolik routinely produces breathtaking visuals that at the time could be found only in enormously expensive Hollywood films.

The finale prepares for a sequel, which, according to old reports, was a project producer Dino De Laurentiis was enthusiastic about. However, Bava and De Laurentiis had a complicated relationship, and the former, who was frequently frustrated with it, chose not to do the sequel. It is unfortunate because Danger: Diabolik was well received and a proper sequel, which Bava would have undoubtedly delivered, most likely would have inspired a third film. It is not an exaggeration to speculate that this trilogy would have been the ultimate blueprint for adult superhero films.

Bava’s director of photography was Antonio Rinaldi, with whom he shot his greatest films, including the equally impressive sci-fi thriller Planet of the Vampires.

The memorable soundtrack, which blends appropriately stylish jazz and psychedelic tunes, was created by the legendary maestro Ennio Morricone.

Danger: Diabolik 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Kino Lorber's release of Danger: Diabolik is a 4K Blu-ray/Blu-ray combo pack. The 4K Blu-ray is Region-Free. However, the Blu-ray is Region-A "locked".

Please note that some of the screencaptures included with this article are taken from the 4K Blu-ray and downscaled to 1080p. Therefore, they do not accurately reflect the quality of the 4K content on the 4K Blu-ray disc.

Screencaptures #1-30 are from the Blu-ray.
Screencaptures #34-39 are from the 4K Blu-ray.

I have several releases of Danger: Diabolik in my library. The Blu-ray releases are sourced from the same older master that emerged from Paramount's vaults some years ago. In America, the folks at Shout Factory accessed this master to produce their release of Danger: Diabolik in 2020.

The combo pack introduces an exclusive new 4K makeover of Danger: Diabolik on 4K Blu-ray and Blu-ray. In native 4K, the 4K makeover can be viewed with Dolby Vision and HDR grades. I chose to view it with Dolby Vision. Later, I spent time with its 1080p presentation on the Blu-ray.

The new presentation of Danger: Diabolik is the best and most convincing I have seen to date. It produces the type of lush and vibrant visuals that many of Mario Bava's films are known for. Also, these are healthy visuals with very strong organic qualities, which previous presentations of Danger: Diabolik did not have. However, the new 4K makeover is not flawless. Why? There are different areas of it where some visuals reveal surface imperfections. Virtually all of them are small and very easy to ignore. However, there is one spot with a major, slightly distracting bump. I am perfectly fine with it because the makeover is so satisfying, but a proper restoration would have addressed this issue and the rest of the cosmetic imperfections. You can see what the bump looks like here. It is caused by the damage in the upper area of the frame. Color reproduction and balance are convincing. In a few areas, primary blue could have been managed a tad better, but there are no troubling anomalies. On the contrary, saturation levels, balance, and stability are excellent. There are no traces of any problematic digital corrections. The Dolby Vision grade is effective. It handles darker areas very well. The bright outdoor footage looks very convincing, too. However, I sampled various areas of the 1080p presentation on the Blu-ray and the same material looked just as pleasing there. In summary, the combo pack brings a convincing, much-needed 4K makeover of a cult film that has never before looked as attractive as it should have on home video releases. My score is 4.25/5.00.

Danger: Diabolik 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are two standard audio tracks on this release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 and English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

The English track features original dubbing that is quite inconsistent. It can be somewhat uneven at times, a bit anemic, and even unnaturally thin. Unfortunately, all of these limitations are inherited. It is how the track was finalized when some years ago, and all other home video releases that have used it retain the same limitations. A good case can be made that Danger: Diabolik deserves a new Atmos mix -- Sony Pictures has done some very effective Atmos tracks for older films -- but the 2.0 track that is included on this release does not have any flaws. It sounds as it does because it replicates the native qualities of the English dub track.

Danger: Diabolik 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

4K BLU-RAY DISC

• Commentary One - this archival audio commentary was recorded by star John Phillip Law and is moderated by Tim Lucas. The bulk of the information shared in the commentary addresses the production of Danger: Diabolik and Mario Bava's directing style, the specific locations that were chosen by Bava to enhance the production value of his work, Ennio Morricone's soundtrack, and the quality of the action material.

• Commentary Two - this archival audio commentary was recorded by critics Troy Howarth and Nathaniel Thompson. The commentators share a lot of information about the conception and production of Danger: Diabolik, the film's visual style, the chemistry between its stars, how and why Danger: Diabolik is similar/disimilar to Barbarella, and the careers of various people that made the film.

BLU-RAY DISC

• Commentary One - this archival audio commentary was recorded by star John Phillip Law and is moderated by Tim Lucas. The bulk of the information shared in the commentary addresses the production of Danger: Diabolik and Mario Bava's directing style, the specific locations that were chosen by Bava to enhance the production value of his work, Ennio Morricone's soundtrack, and the quality of the action material.

• Commentary Two - this archival audio commentary was recorded by critics Troy Howarth and Nathaniel Thompson. The commentators share a lot of information about the conception and production of Danger: Diabolik, the film's visual style, the chemistry between its stars, how and why Danger: Diabolik is similar/disimilar to Barbarella, and the careers of various people that made the film.

• Danger: Diabolik - From Fumetti to Film - this archival program takes a closer look at the comic character that inspired Mario Bava to shoot Danger: Diabolik and the style of the cinematic anti-hero that John Phillip Law plays in it. Included in it are clips from interviews with writer/cartoonist Stephen Bissette, Law, Ennio Morricone, and producer Dino De Laurentiis, among others. In English and Italian, with optional English subtitles where necessary. (21 min).

• Music Video - presented here is Beastie Boys' music video "Body Movin". The video can be seen with an optional audio commentary by Beastie Boys' Adam Yauch. (7 min).

• Trailer One - presented here is a vintage trailer for Danger: Diabolik. In English, not subtitled. (3 min).

• Trailer Two - presented here is a vintage teaser trailer for Danger: Diabolik. In English, not subtitled. (2 min).

• Cover - a reversibel cover with vintage poster art for Danger: Diabolik.

Danger: Diabolik 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Had Mario Bava and producer Dino De Laurentiis figured out how to tolerate each other and make a second Diabolik film, they would have done a third too, and this trilogy would have been the ultimate blueprint for all superhero films. In addition to being a wildly entertaining visual stunner, Danger: Diabolik is a surprisingly versatile transgressor, which is why its pulpiness gives it such a mature, distinctive arty identity. It really is a great little film. Kino Lorber's combo pack introduces a fine new 4K makeover of it on 4K Blu-ray and Blu-ray. An individual Blu-ray release is available for purchase as well. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.