6.7 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Hans arrives in a town near Amsterdam to write a story on the reclusive sculptor, Professor Val, who lives on an island in the old mill house the locals call the Mill of the Stone Women. Hans meets the professor's beautiful and seductive daughter, and begins feeling passion for her despite his true love for Lisa Lotta. Slowly he becomes aware of the nefarious experiments being conducted by Val and his furtive assistant Dr. Boles, and local women continue to disappear...
Starring: Pierre Brice, Wolfgang Preiss, Scilla Gabel, Dany CarrelHorror | 100% |
Foreign | 89% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.66:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.66:1
English: LPCM Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)
Italian: LPCM Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)
French: LPCM Mono
English, English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
Region A, B (locked)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 5.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
One of the kind of interesting trivia tidbits that Tim Lucas discloses in his commentary track included on this disc as a bonus feature is some history behind the post World War II Italian film industry, specifically with regard to horror films. Perhaps understandably after the real life horrors of a global calamity like what was experienced from approximately 1939 to 1945, Italian filmmakers weren't especially excited about crafting cinematic horrors, at least of the gothic variety, and in that regard, some of the era's biggest hits in that general idiom were imports. Among these Lucas overtly mentions House of Wax 3D, and it's not hard to see that film's influence on at least some presentational aspects of Mill of the Stone Women. That said, Lucas, in a comment which may provoke a raised eyebrow or two, actually feels that Carl Theodor Dreyer's legendary 1932 Vampyr is Mill of the Stone Women's clearest antecedent. That perceived linkage may admittedly be due more to mood and a few passing presentational aspects than it is to actual plot dynamics, but it may help to alert viewers to the fact that Mill of the Stone Women, while a "trailblazer" in a way in that it was the first "serious" horror film shot in color in Italy (this again according to Lucas), it was perhaps crafted with a sense of its place in an already longstanding tradition, something that in fact another supplement on this disc, a visual essay by Kat Ellinger, at least alludes to.
Mill of the Stone Women is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Arrow Video with AVC encoded 1080p transfers in 1.66:1. Arrow's insert booklet contains the following information on the restoration:
Mill of the Stone Women / Il mulino delle donne di pietra is presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.66:1 with Italian, English and French mono sound and was restored by Arrow Films.This is a pretty substantial upgrade across the board from other home entertainment versions of this film that I've personally seen. Detail levels are measurably improved, with some of the spooky textures on the dummies more apparent, and with fine detail on things like the luxe fabrics on costumes and upholstery more vivid and precise looking. The palette is generally beautifully suffused, but if there are any niggling complaints from curmudgeons (ahem), it may be due to a slightly yellowish quality that pervades things, though kind of interestingly the French version, for example, looked a bit warmer than the two "main" versions on Disc One in that regard. There really aren't any other huge differences between the versions in terms of video quality (screenshot 17 is from the French version, and screenshot 18 is from the US version, which can be compared to screenshot 4 from the Italian/Export version(s), for those wanting an example of the similarities), other than some understandable quality variations in the title sequences (the French version is pretty shoddy looking, with quite a few scratches). Grain looks naturally and encounters no compression issues.
The original 35mm negative was scanned and restored in 2K resolution at L'Immagine Ritrovata, Bologna. Additional 35mm intermediary elements were scanned and restored in 2K for the opening titles in the English export version.
The film was confirmed [sic?--one assumes they meant "conformed"] and graded at R3Store Studios, London. The separate French and US versions were subsequently conformed at Arrow Films, using a combination of the original 35mm negative and additional scanned material supplied by Subkultur Entertainment via LSP Medien.
The mono mixes were remastered from the original sound negatives at L'Immagine Ritrovata. The audio synch will appear slightly loose against the picture, due to the fact that the dialogue was recorded entirely in post production, as per the production standards of the period.
All original materials supplied for this restoration were made available by Intramovies.
All of the languages in the various versions on this two disc set are offered via LPCM Mono tracks. There are some subtle differences which audiophiles will probably hear, including slight variations in mix and especially penetration of higher frequencies (e.g., the Export version sounds a bit "mellower" in the upper register than the Italian version). Otherwise, though, fidelity is pretty consistent across the tracks, with dialogue (and in the case of the US version, narration and/or voiceover) and the interesting score by Carlo Innocenzi rendered cleanly and clearly. There's some very slight background hiss evident during some of the quieter moments. Optional English subtitles are available.
Disc One
- UK "Drops of Blood" Titles (HD; 1:30)
- German Titles (HD; 2:43)
- US Theatrical Trailer (HD; 2:02)
- German Theatrical Trailer (HD; 3:19)
- Posters
(HD)
- Stills and Lobby Cards (HD)
- German Pressbook (HD)
- US Pressbook (HD)
If Tim Lucas suggests that viewers revisit Vampyr after having watched this film, some others may also suggest viewers listen to Lucas' commentary after having watched this film, as it provides a really nice assortment of data points and background information on what the back cover of this release touts as "one of the foundational titles of Italian horror". There are some plot elements here which are probably not adequately explored or developed, but the film has a palpably spooky mood and its style is remarkable. Technical merits are solid, and as usual Arrow has provided a really nice supply of bonus features, along with impressive packaging. Recommended.
El jorobado de la Morgue
1973
I vampiri
1957
Misterios de Ultratumba / Indicator Series
1959
Temnye vody
1993
呪いの館 血を吸う眼 / Noroi no yakata: Chi o suu me
1971
幽霊屋敷の恐怖 血を吸う人形 / Chi o suu ningyô
1970
L'orribile segreto del Dr. Hichcock / Slipcover in Original Pressing
1962
1963
The Mask of Satan / La maschera del demonio | The Mario Bava Collection
1960
La perversa caricia de Satán
1976
AIP Cut | 60th Anniversary
1963
Revenge in the House of Usher / El hundimiento de la casa Usher
1983
The Butcher of Binbrook / Graveyard of Horror / El descuartizador de Binbrook
1971
La novia ensangrentada
1972
À Meia-Noite Levarei Sua Alma
1964
Delirio di sangue / Slipcover in Original Pressing
1988
Operazione paura
1966
Limited Edition | Indicator Series
1979
Lisa and the Devil / Lisa e il Diavolo
1975
I lunghi capelli della morte
1964