Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		0.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		5.0

Dressed to Kill 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov November 2, 2022

Brian De Palma's "Dressed to Kill" (1980) arrives on 4K Blu-ray/Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber. The supplemental features on the release include exclusive new program with Nancy Allen; exclusive new program with Keith Gordon; exclusive new program with associate producer and production manager Fred C. Caruso; new audio commentary by critic and author Maitland McDonagh; various archival cast and crew interviews; vintage promotional materials; and a lot more. In English, with optional English subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

Kate Miller (Angie Dickinson, Rio Bravo, Ocean's 11) is a frustrated New York housewife who has strange fantasies. In the film’s opening sequence she is raped by an unknown man while showering. She screams but her husband can’t hear her, even though he is also in the bathroom, slowly shaving his face. Sometime after that Kate makes love to him - and pretends that she likes it.

When Kate sees Dr. Elliott (Michael Caine, Pulp), she confesses to him that her sex life is hugely disappointing. She wants more but does not know how to tell her husband. When Dr. Elliott encourages her to be brave and talk to him, she asks if he ever wanted to make love to her.

Not long after her session with Dr. Elliott, Kate visits the Museum of Modern Art. While taking notes, an attractive man (Ken Baker) sits next to her. She drops her glove, he picks it up, and later on the two make love in a taxicab while the driver watches. They finish what they have started in his apartment. Before she leaves, Kate discovers that the man has a venereal disease. In the building’s elevator, a blond woman wearing dark sunglasses cuts her throat with a razor. The murder is witnessed by Liz (Nancy Allen, Blow Out, 1941), a beautiful prostitute, who has been entertaining a client from Cleveland.

In the days that follow, Liz is questioned by detective Marino (Dennis Franz, Body Double) who warns her that she is his prime suspect and in a couple of days will end up behind bars – unless she helps him track down the blond woman with the dark sunglasses. Liz is also approached by Kate’s son, Peter (Keith Gordon, The Legend of Billie Jean), who has been working on an exciting new device for the city’s upcoming science championship.

Hitchcock’s influence can easily be felt but the film most definitely has an identity of its own. Its attitude towards sex, in particular, gives it an edge that no other mainstream American film from the early ‘80s has.

Brian De Palma’s direction is flawless. The film flows, never stumbling or overwhelming with an attitude. There is sleaze and there is gore but they are perfectly mixed, effectively adding to the tense atmosphere not detracting from it. Each sequence is expertly shot – the camera moves and the manner in which shadow, light, and color are utilized ought to be studied by aspiring young directors.

De Palma’s script is also first-class. Virtually all of the exchanges between the actors are full of incredibly sharp lines. When they remain silent, the camera carefully studies their faces or spends time observing objects that would reveal what the viewer needs to know about them. There is absolutely no fluff.

The film has many stars, but Dickinson impresses the most. What she manages to accomplish for the short period of time she is in front of the camera is quite remarkable. The museum sequence, in particular, where she follows the man is truly amongst the best of its kind. Allen and Caine are also outstanding in their respective roles. Franz, still looking very young and slim, is absolutely hilarious as the cocky detective.

Dressed to Kill was lensed by cinematographer Ralf D. Bode (John Badham’s Saturday Night Fever, Jack Fisk’s Violets are Blue...). The film’s soundtrack was created by long-time De Palma collaborator Pino Donaggio (Carrie, Blow Out, Body Double).

Dressed to Kill 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Kino Lorber's release of Dressed to Kill is a 4K Blu-ray/Blu-ray combo pack. However, the main feature is available only on the 4K Blu-ray disc. The Blu-ray disc has various exclusive new and archival bonus features.

Please note that all screencaptures that appear with this article are taken from the 4K Blu-ray and are downscaled to 1080p. Therefore, they do not accurately reflect the quality of the 4K content on the 4K Blu-ray disc, including the actual color values of this content.

In 2015, Criterion released Dressed to Kill on Blu-ray after the film was restored in 4K under the supervision of Brian De Palma. You can see our listing and review of this release here. This 4K Blu-ray release is sourced from a new 4K master graded with Dolby Vision and HDR.

I viewed the entire film with Dolby Vision. I did check a few areas with HDR, but did not spend enough time performing direct comparisons with the 1080p presentation from the previous Blu-ray release. So, all comments below are related to my viewing experience with Dolby Vision on the 4K Blu-ray release.

On my system, the entire film looked really, really good in native 4K. I think that the Dolby Vision grade is neither too gentle nor too aggressive. It gives the visuals a nicely balanced appearance that I think is respectable of the native qualities of the original cinematography. Obviously, it would have been great if Mr. De Palma had endorsed the Dolby Vision/HDR grade, but I personally was not unhappy with it because I did not feel that my viewing experience with the film on 4K Blu-ray was any different than the one I have had with the Blu-ray. In native 4K, delineation, clarity, and depth are quite impressive. However, I must note that the various native density fluctuations remain very noticeable in 4K as well. Is this surprising? No, because this is how the film was lensed, but I wanted to specifically point out that the higher resolution, which always produces tighter visuals, does not affect these density fluctuations (see screencapture #1). Fluidity is excellent, but in 1080p it is equally impressive. Image stability is outstanding. There are no traces of problematic digital corrections. I thought that the color balance was extremely similar to the one you will see in 1080p. The Dolby Vision grade does expand some supporting nuances and as a result some visuals acquire a slightly richer appearance, but I cannot write that there are dramatic shifts in color temperature. I think that the superior management of some shadows/shadow nuances in native 4K does more to make the visuals more attractive and ultimately more convincing. On the other hand, in native 4K highlights are practically identical to the ones you will see in 1080p. (The subway footage, in particular, looks equally good in native 4K and 1080p). I assume that folks with larger screens and trained eyes will rightfully conclude that in native 4K the dynamic range of the visuals is better, but this is hardly surprising. All in all, I think that this 4K Blu-ray release offers a very solid and convincing organic presentation of Dressed to Kill. (Note: The release is Region-Free).

Dressed to Kill 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are two standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 and English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. Optional English subtitles are provided for the main feature. When turned on, they appear inside the image frame.

I viewed the entire film with the English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track. I thought that the audio was very healthy. Clarity, sharpness, and balance were excellent. Dynamic intensity was great too, though the native limitations of the original soundtrack are quite obvious at times. Pino Donaggio's suspenseful score sounded great.

Dressed to Kill 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

4K BLU-RAY DISC

• Commentary - this exclusive new audio commentary was recorded by critic and author Maitland McDonagh. The commentator discusses the controversy that surrounded Dressed to Kill in the past and the obvious connection between Brian De Palma and Alfred Hitchcock, the manner in which violence defines the film, the construction of the narrative and some specific editing choices, the personalities and appearances of the stars, etc.

BLU-RAY DISC

• Commentary - this exclusive new audio commentary was recorded by critic and author Maitland McDonagh. The commentator discusses the controversy that surrounded Dressed to Kill in the past and the obvious connection between Brian De Palma and Alfred Hitchcock, the manner in which violence defines the film, the personality and appearance of the stars, etc.

• Strictly Business - in this exclusive new program, actress Nancy Allen recalls how she approached her character in Dressed to Kill, how this character was finalized (hair, clothes, lingerie), the shooting of the difficult subway scene, what it was like to work with Brian De Palma, etc. In English, not subtitled. (18 min).

• Killer Frames - in this exclusive new program, associate producer and production manager Fred C. Caruso discusses his background in music/music education, his work as a production manager on The Godfather, and involvement with Dressed to Kill. There are some interesting comments about Brian De Palma's working methods as well. In English, not subtitled. (9 min).

• An Imitation of Life - in this exclusive new program, actor Keith Gordon recalls how he auditioned for his part in Dressed to Kill and what it was like to work with Brian De Palma during the production process. In English, not subtitled. (9 min).

• Dressed in Purple - in this archival interview, Nancy Allen talks about her work on Dressed to Kill and discusses her relationship with Brian De Palma. The interview was conducted by Robert Fischer for Fiction Factory in 2012 and initially appeared on Carlotta Films' release of Dressed to Kill. In English, not subtitled. (24 min).

• Dressed in White - in this archival interview, Angie Dickinson discusses in great detail her contribution to Brian De Palma's Dressed to Kill. The interview was conducted by Robert Fischer for Fiction Factory in 2012 and initially appeared on Carlotta Films' release of Dressed to Kill. In English, not subtitled. (30 min).

• Lessons in Filmmaking - in this archival interview, Keith Gordon explains how Dressed to Kill influenced his career and discusses the film's unique qualities. The interview was conducted by Robert Fischer for Fiction Factory in 2012 and initially appeared on Carlotta Films' release of Dressed to Kill. In English, not subtitled. (31 min).

• Symphony of Fear - in this archival interview, producer George Litto recalls his first encounter with Brian De Palma and discusses their professional relationship during the years, as well the production history of Dressed to Kill.The interview was conducted by Robert Fischer for Fiction Factory in 2012 and initially appeared on Carlotta Films' release of Dressed to Kill. In English, not subtitled. (18 min).

• The Making of "Dressed to Kill" - in this archival documentary, Brian de Palma, Angie Dickinson and Keith Gordon, and producer George Litto recall their work on Dressed to Kill. There is terrific information here about some of the key sequences in the film, how and where they were shot, what were some of the technical challenges that had to be overcome, etc. The documentary was produced in 2001. In English, not subtitled. (44 min).
  
  1. Beginnings
  2. Casting
  3. Visual complexity
  4. Cop talk
  5. Call girl character
  6. The key to horror
  7. A charmed experience

• Slashing "Dressed to Kill" - in this archival featurette, Brian De Palma, Nancy Allen, Keith Gordon, Angie Dickinson, editor Jerry Greenberg, and producer George Litto discuss the controversy that once surrounded the rating of Dressed to Kill. Also included are clips highlighting some of the differences between the R-rated and Unrated versions of the film. The featurette was produced in 2001. In English, not subtitled. (10 min).

• Version Comparison - this archival featurette compares the various visual and audio differences between the R-rated theatrical cut, the director's preferred unrated version, and the television version of Dressed to Kill. The featurette was produced in 2001. In English, not subtitled. (6 min).

• An Appreciation by Keith Gordon - in this archival video featurette, Keith Gordon discusses the visual composition of various sequences from Dressed to Kill. The featurette was produced in 2001. In English, not subtitled. (7 min).

• Audio Interview with Michael Caine - in this archival audio interview, Michael Caine explains why Dressed to Kill is a "suspense thriller" and discusses Brian De Palma's style. The interview was conducted in 1980. In English, not subtitled. (5 min).

• Audio Interview with Angie Dickinson - in this archival audio interview, Angie Dickinson quickly addresses her contribution to Dressed to Kill without spoiling it. The interview was conducted in 1980. In English, not subtitled. (4 min).

• Audio Interview with Nancy Allen - in this archival audio interview, Nancy Allen discusses the look and personality of the classic call girl, violence in cinema and in Dressed to Kill, and her preparation for the character she played in the film. There are some very interesting comments about the seduction scene between her character and Michael Caine's. The interview was conducted in 1980. In English, not subtitled. (15 min).

• Promotional Materials -
  
  1. Original theatrical trailer
  2. Original teaser trailer
  3. TV spots
  4. Radio spots

• Cover - reversible cover with vintage poster art.

Dressed to Kill 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

This 4K Blu-ray/Blu-ray combo release of Brian De Palma's Dressed to Kill is extremely easy to recommend. It offers a lovely presentation of the film in native 4K and an outstanding selection of exclusive new and archival bonus features. If you decide to pick it up for your library, please keep in mind that the film is offered only on the 4K Blu-ray disc, so you will need a 4K Blu-ray player to view it. The Blu-ray disc has only the bonus features. Both discs are Region-Free. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.