6.4 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
When model Barbara Hallen disappears in France, her father's private detective traces her steps to a private plastic surgery clinic run by Dr.Flamand.
Starring: Brigitte Lahaie, Helmut Berger, Telly Savalas, Christopher Mitchum, Florence GuérinHorror | 100% |
Foreign | 52% |
Thriller | Insignificant |
Video codec: HEVC / H.265
Video resolution: 4K (2160p)
Aspect ratio: 1.67:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.66:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
French: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
4K Ultra HD
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 5.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
In one of several excellent supplements included with this release, a typically ebullient Kim Newman guides viewers through a perhaps surprising
number of films which feature demented plastic surgeons disfiguring various people, albeit in some cases for supposedly noble reasons. There are
most definitely not honorable intentions afoot in The
Raven*, one of the earliest films Newman cites, and one which proffered Bela Lugosi on a mission to remake Boris Karloff's face, though in
what might be considered the "flip side" of the famous pronouncement at the head of The Six Million Dollar Man's episodes, to make him "worse than he was". Things are
perhaps a bit more ambiguous with regard to Faceless, a film whose English language title is kind of disparaged in another
supplement featuring Stephen Thrower, but whose original title Predators of the Night might indicate that one way or the other there are
foul doings aplenty in the film.
*Note that the link points to a UK Blu-ray, since that's the release I reviewed.
Note: Screenshots are sourced from the 1080 disc.
Faceless is presented in 4K UHD courtesy of Severin Films with a 2160p transfer in 1.67:1. There's not a ton of technical information
available on this release, other than a generic pronouncement on the back cover stating "now scanned for the first time in 4K from the original
negative". This is another generally impressive 4K release from Severin, one which preserves an organic appearance while also offering noticeable
upticks in detail levels from the already nicely rendered 1080 version. This is another 4K effort from Severin where I felt that 4K UHD presentation was
actually a bit cooler overall despite HDR, and there's a somewhat more gray or gray-blue look here at times, though that said a lot of the presentation
has a kind of florid, pinkish flush which isn't quite as evident in the 1080 version. Grain is quite heavy, and in fact can look a bit clumpy and yellow,
especially in darker scenes (keep your eyes peeled on the background walls of Ingrid's bedroom for some clear examples of this). There is some minor
damage that can be spotted, as in the introductory scene with Mozer, where occasional specks and scratches are visible. My score is 4.25.
Faceless features DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 audio options in either English or French, and in toggling between them, I really didn't notice any huge differences in terms of general amplitude or mixing choices. The film has an insanely memorable theme song which will plant an ear worm in many, especially if they spend time on the supplements, where it serves as opening and closing credits music. Dialogue, score and effects are presented without any problems. Optional English subtitles are available.
4K UHD Disc
Faceless is just flat out goofy a lot of the time, and with a cast that kind of has to be seen to be believed (and maybe not even then), this has the expected amount of Franco-esque titillation combined with occasional bursts of Grand Guignol weirdness and the occasional immolation of an eyeball (not to mention the removal of an occasional face). Severin provides a release with generally solid technical merits and some outstanding supplements. For the brave of heart or those already properly indoctrinated into the world of Jess Franco, Recommended.
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1973
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