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 November 5, 2020

Giulio Questi's "Death Laid an Egg" a.k.a. "La morte ha fatto l'uovo" (1968) arrives on Blu-eay courtesy of Cult Epics. The supplemental features on the disc include vintage trailers for the film; archival interview with the director; new audio commentary by critics Troy Howarth and Nathaniel Thompson; short film; and more. In English or Italian, with optional English subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

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 and delivers the type of uncompromising social dissection 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 Version 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, Death Laid an Egg arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Cult Epics.

The release features two versions of the film: a restored and reconstructed Director's Cut which incorporates previously unseen footage and is approximately 104 minutes long, and a restored Giallo Version which is approximately 91 minutes long. Both are sourced from the 2K master that British label Nucleus Films introduced a couple of years ago. (You can see our listing and review of the Region-B release here). The only minor difference that I was able to spot is in the gamma settings. On this release they are slightly elevated, though I am unsure if they are incorrectly set because the actual difference is so small that it is very difficult to recognize even if you compare both releases at the same time. So, the film looks very healthy, and even though the visuals are slightly softer than I would have liked them to be overall sharpness, clarity, and depth still range from good to very good. Density could be improved, but even on a larger screen it remains pleasing. The color scheme is convincing. However, some minor fluctuations in terms of saturation are noticeable. (The most obvious ones are during the reconstructed material). There are no traces of problematic digital corrections. My score is 4.25/5.00. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your player regardless of your geographical location).

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 main feature.

I revisited the film with the English track, which in my opinion is preferable. Clarity and stability are good. However, some unevenness can be spotted. However, given the nature of the presentation -- a reconstruction which uses different type of footage -- it is unavoidable. Also, if you choose to view the Director's Cut, you need to keep in mind that there are small portions of reconstructed material that utilizes the Italian audio with optional English subtitles. (Your player will switch them on automatically). There are no distracting age-related imperfections to report.

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

• International Version - presented here is the shorter International Version of Death Laid an Egg. In English, with optional English subtitles. (91 min, 1080p).

• Commentary - critics Troy Howarth and Nathaniel Thompson deconstruct Death Laid and Egg and have a lot of very interesting things to say about its unusual stylistic identity, Bruno Maderna's strange avant-garde soundtrack, Giulio Questi's body of work, Jean-Louis Trintignant's involvement with the film and his career, the censoring of the film, the evolution of the giallo genre, etc. It is a predictably excellent commentary.

• Trailer One - remastered English trailer for Death Laid an Egg. In English, not subtitled. (4 min, 1080p).

• Trailer Two - remastered English trailer for Death Laid an Egg. In Italian, with optional English subtitles. (4 min, 1080p).

• Doctor Schizo and Mister Phrenic - director Giulio Questi directed this short film in 2002. It is one big and quite hilarious giallo spoof. In Italian, with optional English subtitles. (15 min, 1080p).

• Giulio Questi: The Outsider - 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, 1080p).

• Review by Antonio Bruschini - presented here is a filmed video review of Death Laid an Egg by critic Antonio Bruschini. In Italian, with imposed English subtitles. (6 min, 1080p).

• Cover - a reversible cover.

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

This release of Death Laid an Egg is extremely easy to recommended. It brings to the U.S. the restored and reconstructed longer Director's Cut of the film which initially appeared on Blu-ray in the United Kingdom. Also, it has a predictably excellent exclusive new audio commentary from critics Troy Howarth and Nathaniel Thompson. If you like the film, you must add the release to your collection. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.