Death Laid an Egg Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.5

Death Laid an Egg Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov September 15, 2018

Giulio Questi's "Death Laid an Egg" a.k.a. "La morte ha fatto l'uovo" (1968) arrives on Blu-eay courtesy of Nucleus Films. The supplemental features on the disc include vintage promotional materials for the film; archival interview with the director; new audio commentary with critics Alan Jones and Kim Newman; new program with soundtrack collector Lovely Jon; and more. In English or Italian, with optional English subtitles for the main feature. Region-B "locked".

The fetishist

I am unsure if Giulio Questi ‘s Death Laid an Egg is a genuine giallo. It has appeared on a lot of lists that attempt to rank these types of genre films, but I am not convinced that it belongs there. It is a much bigger film with a lot of lofty targets that delivers the type of uncompromising social dissection that Elio Petri’s best films do.

The great Jean-Louis Trintignant plays a young professional named Marco who is on the executive board of a big poultry company whose bioengineers are on the verge of completing a cutting-edge project that could deliver the perfect chicken -- a low-maintenance rapidly growing mutant that will save the company millions and guarantee the elimination of its competitors. From afar Marco appears fully committed to his job and personally involved with the project so when he offers an opinion it is always considered by his colleagues with great respect. Marco also has an impeccable style which further enhances his image as a serious professional.

But Marco is actually a twisted chameleon who has mastered the art of deception. Instead of analyzing data or developing new ideas that could help the company grow, his mind can’t seem to stop inventing nasty sexual games that later on he carefully recreates in a cozy hotel room that he has been renting for years. Of course there is also another player, a female, whose services Marco typically contracts in the hotel’s bar. Sometimes the games are really strange and painful, but those who have spent time in Marco’s company never complain. He always pays them well – really, really well.

For a long time Marco is in full control of his double life and his beautiful wife, Anna (Gina Lollobrigida), is convinced that their marriage is as healthy as it could be. But when he falls for Anna’s young assistant, Gabrielle (Ewa Aulin), and begins fantasizing about a future where the two no longer have to hide their feelings, he slips and nearly reveals his true identity. Marco then sets out not only to regain control of his life, but ensure that it is never ever jeopardized by accidental errors.

The techniques that Questi and Petri use to reveal the hypocrisy of different groups of privileged people are very similar. The function of the chameleon that Trintignant plays in this film is basically identical to the one that Gian Maria Volonte’s creep has in Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion, with the only difference being that Petri’s film eventually becomes so unhinged that it practically evolves into a nihilist’s wet dream. Questi chooses to remain respectful and inserts all of the hard hits as meaningful elements of a slightly perverted crime thriller. (Hence, the reason why Death Laid an Egg can be found on some giallo lists).

The film is very carefully constructed to ensure proper progression of two entirely different stories. The first is about the chameleon and his maneuvers as he is forced out of his comfort zone, while the second is about the total lack of moral standards in different echelons of society. Pay close attention to the game that is set up at the big party and the quick exchanges between the players and especially the urgent business meeting where the usefulness of the mutants is discussed as they are both brilliant litmus tests.

Bruno Maderna’s soundtrack is one of the most unusual ever composed for a film of this nature. It blends strange atonal themes and completely unpredictable rhythmic configurations that remind of Arnold Schoenberg’s work.

*This release features two versions of the film: a newly restored and reconstructed Director's Cut which incorporates previously unseen footage and is approximately 104 minutes long, and a restored Giallo Edit which is approximately 91 minutes long.

Death Laid an Egg Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Giulio Questi's Death Laid an Egg arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Nucleus Films.

I viewed the longer reconstructed Director's Cut, but both versions that are included on this release are sourced from a brand new 2K remaster. Obviously, when compared to Cult Epics' recent release this release offers a vastly superior technical presentation because it uses proper high-definition content. Indeed, excluding some minor density fluctuations the film now has a very stable and pleasing organic appearance. It is perhaps marginally softer than it should be, but there are still plenty of fine nuances and strong clarity. On a larger screen the images also maintain proper fluidity, so the flatness and blocky patterns from the first release are completely eliminated. The color grading is very convincing. The primaries are stable and healthy, while the nuances are within correct parameters. (This means that you do not have to worry about wild LUT settings like the ones that frequently appear on remasters that emerge from L'immagine Ritrovata). There are no traces of sharpening adjustments or other problematic digital tinkering. Image stability is very good. There are no cuts, damage marks, burn marks, specks. warped or torn frames to report in out review. All in all, this is a proper and strong organic presentation of the film that should make its fans quite happy. My score is 4.25/5.00. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

Death Laid an Egg Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are two standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 2.0 and Italian LPCM 2.0. Optional English subtitles are provided for the Italian track. Also, there are optional English subtitles for the inserts in the longer Director's Cut.

The inclusion of the international English track is a major bonus. Obviously the overdubbing has its share of familiar limitations -- such as the monotonous dynamic level that is interrupted only when the music reemerges -- but I actually prefer this track. On the other hand, the audio has been cleaned up really well and as a result there are no age-related imperfections that could affect your viewing experience. Well done.

Death Laid an Egg Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Giallo Version - a restored presentation of the shorter Giallo Edit of the film. (1080p).

• Discovering Questi - in this new video program, James Blackford (British Film Institute/Redemption Films) explains what made him a huge fan of Giulio Questi's work and discusses the director's life and unique cinematic style. There are specific comments about Death Laid an Egg and its characters as well. The program was produced by Marc Morris and directed by Jake West for Nucleus Films. In English, not subtitled. (20 min).

• Sonic Explorations - in this new video program, soundtrack collector Lovely Jon discusses Bruno Maderna's soundtrack for Death Laid an Egg, its very unusual harmonic structure, and the recording of the music (with some excellent revelations). The program was produced by Marc Morris and directed by Jake West for Nucleus Films. In English, not subtitled. (24 min).

• Questi Interview - in this archival video interview, director Giulio Questi discusses the Italian film business during the late '60s/early '70s, the history of Death Laid an Egg, its forced editing, the freedom to explore, shooting himself in films, etc. The interview was conducted by Michele Faggi and Antonio Bruschini. In Italian, with imposed English subtitles. (13 min).

• BBFC Film Cuts - a collection of complete scenes that were targeted by the censors at the BBFC when Death Laid an Egg was released in the UK under the title A Curious Way to Love. In English. (8 min).

• Bruschini Review - presented here is a filmed video review of Death Laid an Egg by Antonio Bruschini. In Italian, with imposed English subtitles. (6 min).

• Promotional Gallery - a large gallery with vintage promotional materials for Death Laid an Egg from around the world. With sound. (7 min).

• Home Video Gallery - a large gallery with cover art from various releases of Death Laid an Egg gathered from different markets around the world. With sound. (2 min).

• European Trash Cinema - a reprint of a vintage issue of the fanzine European Trash Cinema dedicated to Death Laid an Egg. With sound. (2 min).

• English Credits - English, unrestored, credits for the film. With sound. (3 min).

• German Credits - German, unrestored, credits for the film. With sound. (2 min).

• English Trailer - remastered English trailer for Death Laid an Egg. In English, not subtitled. (4 min).

• Italian Trailer - remastered Italian trailer for Death Laid an Egg. In Italian, with optional English subtitles. (4 min).

• About the Restoration - text-format description about the work that was done to bring the two versions of Death Laid an Egg to Blu-ray.

• Audio Commentary - in this new audio commentary, critics Alan Jones and Kim Newman discuss in great detail the narrative construction and style of Death Laid an Egg, its use of music, and its placement in the annals of Italian genre cinema.

Death Laid an Egg Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Marc Morris and his crew at Nucleus Films delivered exactly what they promised over a year ago -- a definitive home video release of Giulio Questi's cult film Death Laid an Egg. I viewed the restored and reconstructed longer Director's Cut, with the English audio track, earlier tonight and was very pleased with the presentation. I also really liked the new featurette with soundtrack collector Lovely Jon that was produced for this release. It is so easy to tell that the whole thing was a labor of love. Last but not least, kudos to all the people that supported this project and made it possible. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.