Danger: Diabolik Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		3.0
Audio		3.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		3.5

Danger: Diabolik Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf May 26, 2020

In the swinging sixties, Italian producers wanted in on the success of comic book properties brought to television and movies, but they ran into a fair share of trouble bringing “Danger: Diabolik” from the page to the screen. In a bind after dealing with production setbacks, Dino De Laurentiis pulled the effort out of a creative tailspin, passing the screen potential of the Italian comic series to director Mario Bava, who made it his personal mission to generate a stylish, strangely hostile take on the source material, finding ways to make the criminal the most enticing hero of 1968. Questions of right and wrong are blurred in “Danger: Diabolik,” but Bava’s work is crystal clear, delivering a wildly inventive display of filmmaking prowess, working all the angles to keep the endeavor visually interesting and the main character enjoyably corrupt.

Attempting to protect a large shipment of cash from criminal interests, Inspector Ginko (Michel Piccoli) is shocked when the loot is lifted by master crook, Diabolik (John Phillip Law), who delights in disrupting police activity as he steals from the rich to better his own life. Partnering with his girlfriend, Eva (Marisa Mell), Diabolik maintains a large underground hideout, always on the lookout for a new challenge when it comes to lawless pursuits and burglary. Learning about the appearance of the famed Aksand Necklace at a party held in a remote castle, Diabolik and Eva make their move to acquire the emerald prize. While Ginko stews in his losses, searching for a way to capture Diabolik and sent him to prison, villain Valmont (Adolfo Celi) makes his move to lure the criminal into the open, aiming to destroy his rival.

There isn’t a significant narrative arc to “Danger: Diabolik,” with the screenplay retaining the episodic nature of comic book releases, presenting three acts of criminal engagement, with the titular thief the connective tissue. He’s a cackling madman often clad in a skintight rubber bodysuit, using his vast fortune to fund additional troublemaking, including the introductory heist, plucking a fortune away from Ginko, who worked extra hard to prevent such a disaster. Instead of settling into a story, “Danger: Diabolik” enjoys the view, with Bava taking over as a master of style and economy, turning production nickels into dollars as he uses extreme lighting, low-tech special effects, and a few bursts of animation to bring the feature to life. The highlight of the endeavor arrives early, following Diabolik into his subterranean fortress, which is filled with walkways and rooms, including his tricked-out bedroom. And what better way to celebrate such a monetary victory than a lovemaking session with Eva on a spinning bed covered with cash. I mean, ick, for sure, but the imagery is memorable, joining many other scrappy, jazzy stretches of the movie.

Bava keeps “Danger: Diabolik” from “Batman”-level silliness, only going full camp with the crook’s use of “exhilarating gas” to make a mess of a political press conference, avoiding the chemical thanks to “anti-exhilarating gas” pills. The rest of the movie aims for more of a James Bond feel, pitting Diabolik against arrogant gangster Valmont, who enjoys dispatching problematic people out of his plane via a trap door. He’s a tough adversary, but Diabolik isn’t really the good guy. He takes on the system with mischief and explosives, but the laughing scoundrel is always out for himself, more interested in pleasing Eva with stacks of cash and the emeralds. Such defiance of formula keeps “Danger: Diabolik” interesting, with everyone repellant to a degree, making the superhero of the picture Bava, who works breathlessly to keep the endeavor rolling along with excitement and directorial ingenuity. His effort is matched by composer Ennio Morricone, who delivers an idiosyncratic score that often jumps out of nowhere and soars especially high when supporting Diabolik’s seductive and secretive appetites.

Danger: Diabolik Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

For its Blu-ray debut, "Danger: Diabolik" has not been gifted a fresh scan, keeping the AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation more functional than remarkable. Age brings softness, holding "Danger: Diabolik" back from a more hypnotic study of the production's obsession with textures. Costuming is appreciable but not distinct, offering a general idea of rubbery smoothness and feminine silkiness, with the same limitations found on skin surfaces, leaving a broad understanding of age and intensity. Colors should be the star of the show, and Bava's love of primaries helps to encourage the fantasy aspects of the production. Hues are muted, but broader visions break through, including the use of rainbow gas and the melting gold sequence. Skintones are acceptable. Delineation is adequate, without solidification. Grain is chunkier. Source is in decent condition, with wear and tear periodically encountered.

Danger: Diabolik Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Not built to wow listeners, the 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix only provides a basic understanding of screen elements. Dubbing largely dictates dialogue exchanges, which supply adequate intelligibility without true sharpness. The feature's iconic music is also on the restrained side, with limited power for scoring cues, while soundtrack selections deliver a bit more emphasis. Sound effects are blunt.

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

• Commentary #1 features film historians Troy Howarth and Nathaniel Thompson.

• Commentary #2 features actor John Phillip Law and film historian Tim Lucas.

• "From Fumetti to Film" (20:23, SD) is a 2005 appreciation featurette, with writer Stephen R. Bissette detailing his history in the comic book industry and the influence of underground comics. "Danger: Diabolik" is a personal favorite of Bissette's and he shares such adoration with other interviewees, including the late Adam Yauch of the Beastie Boys, Roman Coppola (director of "CQ"), and production participants John Phillip Law, Dino De Laurentiis, and Ennio Morricone. The tone here is reverence, with the personalities gathered sharing their adoration for the picture and its strong style, delving into the specifics of the time period and the ways of Italian comic book art in the 1960s. Mario Bava, director of "Danger: Diabolik," is analyzed, examining his career and technical achievements. And a character study of Diabolik is presented, with the sleek criminal who steals from the rich to fund his lifestyle now considered a terrorist. References to the feature included in the Beastie Boys video "Body Movin'" and Coppola's "CQ" are spotlighted.

• "Body Movin'" (6:38, SD) is a music video for the 1998 Beastie Boys song, with famed Swiss filmmaker Nathanial Hornblower paying tribute to the style and story of "Danger: Diabolik." Commentary from Adam Yauch is provided.

• A Teaser Trailer (1:05, HD) and a Theatrical Trailer (2:23, HD) are included.

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

"Danger: Diabolik" remains in the decade in which it was created, ordering up some psychedelic freak-out scenes, including a dizzying title sequence scored to a promising 007-like theme song. The picture isn't big on action or suspense, but Bava excels with enthusiasm for the creative challenge, using his talented actors while constructing a cinematic playground for them. Good and bad really isn't the point of "Danger: Diabolik" (which also inspired one of the best episodes of "Mystery Science Theater 3000," which is sadly not included on this disc), it's the ride that matters. Bava generates an immersive viewing experience with distinct inspiration, making time with a destructive lunatic a complete pleasure.