Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Deep Red Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov January 5, 2011

Dario Argento's "Profondo Rosso" a.k.a. "Deep Red" (1975) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Arrow Films. The supplemental features included with this release are: short introduction by composer Claudio Simonetti; audio commentary with Danish filmmaker and Dario Argento expert Thomas Rostock; conversation with actress Daria Nicolodi; conversation with composer Claudio Simonetti; theatrical trailers; and more. Also included with this release are: 4-Panel reversible sleeve with original and newly commissioned artwork, exclusive double-sided poster; and illustrated collector's booklet containing an essay by Alan Jones. In Italian or English, with optional English subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

One dead lizard

A British jazz pianist, Marc Daly (David Hemmings, Blow-Up, Lola), living in Rome witnesses the brutal murder of a famous psychic (Macha Meril, Belle de jour, Vagabond). Shortly after, he becomes haunted by a nagging feeling that he might have seen something important that he can’t remember but could possibly lead the police to the killer. Encouraged by one of his best friends, Carlo (Gabriele Lavia, Scandalous Gilda), he begins his own investigation.

Marc is eventually joined in his efforts by a beautiful reporter, Gianna Brezzi (Daria Nicolodi, Phenomena), who is just as determined to find the psychic’s killer as she is to get in bed with him. Giordani (Glauco Mauri, L'ospite), a psychology professor who was once close friends with the victim, also joins the investigation and offers to help.

The more time Marc spends studying the case, however, the more confused he becomes. Eventually, a lucky break reveals to him that the murder of the psychic was likely motivated by the killer’s desire to conceal a different, much older crime. He begins digging up various old secrets and the killer goes berserk.

Arguably Italian director Dario Argento’s best film, Profondo rosso requires multiple viewings to fully grasp all of its intricate details. It is quite a chaotic film, resembling a vivid surreal dream, often making very little sense but producing images that are indeed impossible to forget.

The plot is fractured into various small episodes, some good, some not so good. The good ones typically culminate with outbursts of shocking but occasionally also borderline cartoonish violence. They are also marked by the nagging presence of Argento’s trademark spine-chilling atmosphere (which is in fact what makes all of his films so fascinating to behold). The bad ones are characterized by the presence of pointless conversations or various weak attempts at satirizing repression.

The most exciting protagonist in Profondo Rosso is Argento’s camera. There are various scenes where its unusual moves produce awkward viewing angles and unnatural transitions that give the film quite the edge. A few are so bold that they could actually induce claustrophobic reactions. Elsewhere in the film one feels as if one is placed in the camera or, as I assume Argento intended, inside the killer’s head, thus literally viewing the action through the killer's eyes.

As it is the case with practically all of Argento’s films, the music has a very important role. Legendary Italian group Goblin’s soundtrack is deeply atmospheric, at times notably unsettling and dark, complementing exceptionally well Argento’s unique cinematic style.

Note: British distributors Arrow Films’ Blu-ray release of Profondo Rosso contains the film’s Theatrical Cut, which us approximately 105 minutes long, and the Director’s Cut, which is approximately 127 minutes long.

Deep Red Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.35:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Dario Argento's Profondo Rosso arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Arrow Films. Please note that Disc 1 contains the Director's Cut, while Disc 2 contains the International Theatrical Cut of the film.

Even though Arrow Films' high-definition transfer of the Director's Cut of Profondo Rosso is somewhat inconsistent, I am very pleased with it. Generally speaking, it represents a substantial upgrade in quality in practically every key area we typically address in our reviews -- fine object detail, clarity, contrast levels, and color reproduction. Those of you who have digital projectors will be pleased to know that there are various stability improvements as well.

Most of the fluctuations noted above are in regard to color reproduction and grain retention (there is light built-in scanner noise). While viewing Profondo Rosso I noticed numerous mild color pulsations that pop up here and there, as well as minor traces of noise corrections that have been applied to random scenes. Neither the former nor the latter, however, affect the overall integrity of the presentation. On the contrary, the color reproduction is very good, and grain, though occasionally mixed with mild noise, is also present throughout the entire film.

There are a few frame transition issues, mostly during the final third of the film, but they appear to have been inherited. What is more important here is the fact that a lot of the background flicker and macroblocking from the R1 DVD release of Profondo Rosso have been rather effectively addressed. Finally, I noticed a few small warps, as well as tiny flecks, and even a couple of scratches popping up here and there, but considering the type of limitations various DVD releases of Profondo Rosso have conveyed during the years, the quality improvements are indeed very impressive. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray disc. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your player regardless of your geographical location. For the record, there is no problematic PAL or 1080/50i content preceding the disc's main menu Please note that screenshots 1-10 are from the Director's Cut of Profondo Rosso, while screenshots 11-19 are from the International Theatrical Cut).

Deep Red Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are four audio tracks on this Blu-ray release: Italian DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, Italian Dolby Digital 2.0, English Dolby Digital 2.0 (on Disc 1) and English Dolby Digital 2.0 (on Disc 2). For the record, Arrow Films have provided optional English subtitles for both the Director's Cut and the International Theatrical Cut of Profondo Rosso. When turned on, they appear inside the image frame.

The Italian DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is excellent. The bass is surprisingly potent, the rear channels very intelligently used, and the high-frequencies not overdone. There is a wonderful range of nuanced dynamics as well, giving Goblin's outstanding soundtrack quite a boost. The dialog is stable, clean, and relatively easy to follow (the dubs included).

The English Dolby Digital 2.0 isn't terribly disappointing but it isn't overly impressive either. The dialog is fairly easy to follow, but the dynamic intensity from the terrific Italian DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is completely gone.

Deep Red Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Note: All of the supplemental features included on the two Blu-ray discs are perfectly playable on North American PS3s and SAs.

Disc 1 - Director's Cut

• Introduction - a few words by composer Claudio Simonetti from the legendary Italian band Goblin. In English, not subtitled. (1 min, 1080p).

• Commentary - a very good, very informative audio commentary with Danish filmmaker and Dario Argento expert Thomas Rostock, who discusses Profondo Rosso, its unique narrative and characters, production history, the various locations seen throughout the film, the Italian director's legacy, etc. In English, not subtitled.

• U.S. Theatrical Trailer - in English, not subtitled. (3 min, 1080p).

• Italian Trailer - Music only. (2 min, 1080p).

• Lady in Red - Daria Nicolodi Remembers Profondo Rosso - the Italian recalls her work on Profondo Rosso and relationship with Dario Argento during and after the shooting of the film. In Italian and English, with imposed English subtitles where needed. (21 min, 1080p).

• Music to Murder For! - Claudio Simonetti on Deep Red - the Italian composer discusses his relationship with Dario Argento, the history of Goblin, how the soundtrack for Profondo Rosso came to exist, etc. In English, not subtitled. (16 min, 1080p).

• Rosso Recollections - Dario Argento's Deep Genius - in this featurette, the legendary Italian director explains how Profondo Rosso came to exist, and discusses the film's characters, his family, the films he liked while growing up, etc. In Italian, with imposed English subtitles. (14 min, 1080p).

Disc 2 - International Theatrical Cut

• Rosso From Celluloid to Shop - a fascinating tour of the Profondo Rosso shop in Rome with long-time Argento collaborator Luigi Cozzi. In Italian and English, with imposed English subtitles where necessary. (15 min, 1080p).

• Poster- an exclusive double-sided Profondo Rosso poster.

• Sleeve- 4-Panel reversible sleeve with original and newly commissioned artwork.

• Booklet- an illustrated collector's booklet containing Alan Jones' essay "Dario Argento's Deep Red" (Mr. Jones is the author of "Profondo Argento").

Deep Red Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

I am very pleased with this stylish package. Yes, there are certain minor limitations with the technical presentation, the overwhelming majority of which I believe are inherited, but Dario Argento's Profondo Rosso has never looked this good before. I really hope that in the future Arrow Films will also manage to bring some classic Italian comedies and dramas to Blu-ray. Having some of Dino Risi, Mario Monicelli, Elio Petri, Mauro Bolognini, or Salvatore Samperi's films on Blu-ray will be special. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.