Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.0
Overall		4.0

Murder Mansion Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf March 20, 2021

Why introduce individual characters when they can all join the picture at the same time? That’s the general vibe of 1972’s “Murder Mansion,” which is an Agatha Christie-esque take on the dangers of suspicious people staying inside a spooky dwelling that’s also home to a murderer. Director Francisco Lara Polop isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel with “Murder Mansion,” which offers a routine set-up of evil events and a slow-burn fear factor. The helmer tries to win audiences over with some sense of style, fighting the inherent inertia of the production with a few effective suspense sequences.

A thick fog has ruined the travel plans for a collection of acquaintances and strangers, who are drawn to a nearby mansion that’s home to Martha (Evelyn Stewart). Offered a place to stay, the community of nervous types are soon exposed to evils of the night, with lovers Fred (Andres Resino) and Laura (Lisa Leonardi) trying to uncover the mystery of the house as they discover more of its secrets.

“Murder Mansion” has a funny way of presenting characters to the viewer. Instead of taking the time to establish bits of personality and motivation, the production basically just brings together everyone at once. A road chase sequence opens “Murder Mansion,” but after that offering of excitement, the material settles into a mystery concerning the house and its threatening ways, with a group of people forced to live with one another for the night, including Elsa (Analia Gade), who’s in possession of an inherited fortune while dealing with her estranged spouse, Ernest (Alberto Dalbes). Suspicions are soon launched, ghostly happenings occur, and a heavy fog is present to give what’s partially a haunted house movie some gothic atmosphere.

Murder Mansion Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Listed as "Newly scanned and restored in 4K from its 35mm original negative," "Murder Mansion" arrives on Blu-ray with an AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation. Detail is strong throughout the viewing experience, permitting a look at mansion interiors, surveying decorative additions including textured wall art. Skin surfaces are exact, highlighting facial hair and signs of age. Costuming remains fibrous, enjoying period fashion with polyester outfits and leather jackets. Colors are appreciable, providing vivid primaries, with particularly deep reds. Skintones are natural. Delineation is satisfactory. Source is in good condition, with some mild speckling.

Murder Mansion Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are three audio mixes to choose from on the "Murder Mansion" disc, including English 2.0 DTS-HD MA and Italian 1.0 DTS-HD MA tracks. The default is a Spanish 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix, and it handles with reasonable authority. Dialogue exchanges are intelligible, clarifying dramatic emphasis and group activity. Scoring handles with more heft, adding appealing suspense support with decent instrumentation. Music for the end credits offers an enjoyable bass thump. Sound effects are clean.

Murder Mansion Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "Lady of the Mansion" (19:58, HD) is an interview with actress Ida Galli, who recounts her casting story for "Murder Mansion." Talk of director Francisco Lara Polop is included, with Galli discussing his professional process. Co-stars are assessed and shooting locations are fondly remembered, with production occurring in Spain. The interviewee shares only happy thoughts about the making of "Murder Mansion," fighting through a hazy memory of the shoot to detail her top scenes, plan for characterization, makeup efforts, and time spent with cinematographer Guglielmo Mancori, who was determined to light Galli perfectly. Some discussion of other jobs is included, and Galli offers her hopes for a rediscovery of the picture with this Blu-ray release.

• A Theatrical Trailer has not been included on this release.

Murder Mansion Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Murder Mansion" has the foundation for genre fun, but the feature isn't adventurous, primarily focused on a slow pace and hazily defined characters. Polop gets to some liveliness in the third act, and stabs at cinematic style are present to keep things interesting, but it takes a long time to get anywhere in "Murder Mansion," which could use a more aggressive approach with well-known and deeply beloved genre elements.