Danger: Diabolik 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

Danger: Diabolik 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov September 11, 2026

Mario Bava's "Danger: Diabolik" (1968) arrives on 4K Blu-ray courtesy of Imprint Films. The supplemental features on the release include archival audio commentary by star John Phillip Law and critic Tim Lucas; second archival audio commentary by Tim Lucas; new video essay by critic Kat Ellinger; vintage documentary; music video; and vintage trailer. In English or Italian, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

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 reimagining 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 

Imprint Films' release of Danger: Diabolik is a 4K Blu-ray/Blu-ray combo pack. The 4K Blu-ray and Blu-ray are both Region-Free.

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.

Screencaptures #1-20 are from the Blu-ray.
Screencaptures #27-37 are from the 4K Blu-ray.

The combo pack brings to Australia the recent 4K restoration of Danger: Diabolik, completed at Paramount Pictures. However, the 4K restoration is presented only on 4K Blu-ray. The Blu-ray included in the combo pack is sourced from the old master that was used to produce earlier releases of Danger: Diabolik.

The difference in quality between the native 4K and 1080p presentations of Danger: Diabolik is pretty dramatic. In native 4K, the 4K restoration can be viewed with Dolby Vision and HDR grades, and all of its visuals reveal substantially improved delineation, clarity, depth, and dynamic range. In many areas, there is simply plenty more to see. On top of this, color reproduction and balance are completely different -- not because the original values of the primaries and supporting nuances are altered or replaced, but because they are substantially healthier. I ran several quick comparisons between the native 4K and 1080p presentations in areas of Danger: Diabolik that I like, and the improved color scheme is breathtakingly superior in all of them. (For reference, these improvements are also present on the Blu-ray copy of the 4K restoration included in Kino Lorber's combo pack release of Danger: Diabolik). Also, on the native 4K presentation, a few tiny nicks and blemishes remain. However, the 1080p presentation produces seriously dated visuals with age-related imperfections galore. While revisiting the 4K restoration in native 4K and performing comparisons, I did not encounter any encoding anomalies to report in our review.

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

There are four standard audio tracks on this release: English: LPCM 2.0 (Original Mono), English: LPCM 2.0 (Alternate English), Italian: LPCM 2.0, and English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature. (These audio tracks are available on the 4K Blu-ray. The Blu-ray retains only the original English LPCM 2.0 track).

Kino Lorber's combo pack release of Danger: Diabolik has only two English tracks: 2.0 and 5.1. I think that they are great tracks. I would not recommend viewing the film with the Italian track. However, it is an original audio option, so purists may be impressed that it is included. I sampled the alternate English track in a few places, but it was difficult for me to tell what was substantially different. In a few places, the audio seemed tighter, not as wide as it is on the original track. However, I would describe the change as cosmetic, without any meaningful impact on the viewing experience.

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. The commentary was recorded in 2005.

• Commentary Two - this archival audio commentary was recorded by Tim Lucas. Again, there is plenty of interesting information about the conception and production of Danger: Diabolik, its visual style, cast, and Mario Bava and his directing methods and career. Some of the information is shared the earlier commentary Lucas recorded, noted above, but this is unavoidable. This updated audio commentary was recorded in 2020.

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. The commentary was recorded in 2005.

• Commentary Two - this archival audio commentary was recorded by Tim Lucas. Again, there is plenty of interesting information about the conception and production of Danger: Diabolik, its visual style, cast, and Mario Bava and his directing methods and career. Some of the information is shared the earlier commentary Lucas recorded, noted above, but this is unavoidable. This updated audio commentary was recorded in 2020.

• 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 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).

• Kat Ellinger - this exclusive new video essay was created by critic Kat Ellinger. In English, not subtitled. (27 min).

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

ADDITIONAL CONTENT

• Hardcover Booklet - an exclusive 60-page hardcover booklet featuring a brand new essay by Danger: Diabolik historian Leon Hunt, original production stills, and the original press kit.

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

If Mario Bava and producer Dino De Laurentiis had figured out how to tolerate each other and make a second Diabolik film, they would have made a third too, and this trilogy would have been the ultimate blueprint for all superhero films. Besides 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 truly is a great little film. Imprint Films' combo pack brings to Australia the recent 4K restoration of Danger: Diabolik. However, the 4K restoration can be viewed only on 4K Blu-ray. The Blu-ray in the combo pack retains the old presentation of the film. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.