6.5 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Michael is a successful actor, but he has a scandal in his past: at a tender age he knifed his father to death. He and his girlfriend Deborah go to his mother's for the weekend, and are joined by the director and others from a recent film project, who are given a rather cool reception by the superstitious housekeeper Oliver. Soon rude things begin happening to some of the guests, and Michael fears a repeat of his nightmare past is in progress.
Starring: Stefano Patrizi, Martine Brochard, Henri Garcin, Laura Gemser, John RichardsonHorror | 100% |
Foreign | 57% |
Mystery | 17% |
Thriller | 2% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Italian: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
Italian version 97 min. (English version 92 min)
English
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 3.0 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
It’s not every day that one comes into contact with a movie that opens with a philosophical quote before it showcases slashings, stabbings, demonic worship, breast fondling, spider and bat attacks, and a homage to the Michelangelo painting “Pieta.” 1981’s “Murder Obsession” (also known as “Murder Syndrome”) is a film packed with oddity and horror ambition, and while it doesn’t provide a sustained display of terror, this gory mystery has enough salacious details and viciousness to keep the average giallo fan invested in the proceedings. Of course, it could be stranger, more alert, and erotically charged, yet “Murder Obsession” carries itself confidently, weaving in and out of dreamscapes to provide the viewer with a few handfuls of evildoing and suspicion. Plus, the feature offers the rare opportunity to view a scene where a Herve Villechaize-sized spider fondles the legs of a screaming woman, which is almost worth the purchase price alone.
The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) looks fresh, bringing new life to a cult item. Colors are confident and vivid, with generous reds to help accentuate the bloodshed and interior décor of the setting. Outdoor hues also carry a natural quality, with forest greens making an impression. Skintones are accurate, retaining a human feel for unnatural situations of survival. Fine details are available for study, with a slight softness to the image that never impedes textures emerging from costumes and set design. Facial close-ups are also open for inspection, assisting emotional reactions and make-up particulars. There's a minor amount of ghosting detected, while edge delineation is satisfactory, with blacks communicative, only solidifying on rare occasion. Grain is comfortable, lending the viewing experience a cinematic feel.
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix does its best to contain the inconsistent sonic landscape of this motion picture. Scoring is especially assertive, with loud orchestral movement to signify revelations and terror, ramping up harshly on the listener. Dialogue exchanges are also hit with varying volume levels, though most of the listening experience is comfortable, with only a few tinny peaks that cause discomfort due to the inherent thinness of the original track. Hiss and pops are present but never intrusive. The introduction of a pulsing heartbeat carries some bass to fill out the terror, but the track is primarily skeletal without much verve beyond the basics. Considering the obscurity of the title, what's corralled here is acceptable, just be aware of the colossal surges in sound.
"Murder Obsession" doesn't quite possess the style or sophistication (save for the finale's loaded Michelangelo reference) of the genre's greatest achievements, but it's a satisfying cinematic meal of death, supported by an infatuation with demonic control and sacrifice. Sure, the picture can be very silly, hitting limitations in budget and special effects imagination, but it's never dragged completely underwater by absurdity, instead keeping itself freshly intimidating and moderately mysterious. It's a muscular effort from Freda, in what would become is last official feature as a filmmaker. When one ends a career with a movie spotlighting giant spiders and chainsaw attacks, it's clear it has been a very blessed, colorful occupation.
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1975
Reazione a catena
1971
Sei donne per l'assassino
1964
Standard Edition
1982
L'uccello dalle piume di cristallo
1970
Tutti i colori del buio
1972
1986
2010
La notte che Evelyn uscě dalla tomba
1971
Non ho sonno | Standard Edition
2001
1973
Quella villa accanto al cimitero
1981
Night of the Dark Full Moon / Death House
1972
Limited Edition to 3000 - SOLD OUT
1972
Scre4m
2011
La Residencia / The Boarding School
1969
Standard Edition
1985
2015
Director's Cut
1963
Special Edition | La morte cammina con i tacchi alti
1971