Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.0

Mystère Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf February 2, 2025

Carole Bouquet received a major career boost after appearing in 1981’s “For Your Eyes Only,” joining the James Bond franchise during its Roger Moore heyday. She became part of film history, but, as with so many “Bond Women,” chasing that professional high isn’t easy. She returns to screens in 1983’s “Mystere” (a.k.a. “Dagger Eyes”), which is kinda, sorta a 007-like cinematic experience from director Carlo Vanzina, who looks to the thrills of secret assassins, chases, and brief globetrotting to bring this tale to life. And it almost works, at least for the first hour, which focuses on Bouquet’s screen presence and evildoing, making for a decently nasty thriller. Once Vanzina tries to take the feature elsewhere in the final act, all the intense staring from Bouquet can’t keep the movie from basically falling apart.

Mystere (Caroline Bouquet) is a prostitute working the streets of Rome, maintaining an air of elegance as she deals with various customers who aren’t always interested in her glamour. Joining Pamela (Janet Agren) for an hour with slovenly Reinhardt (Peter Berling), Mystere takes care of business while her colleague lifts a cigarette lighter from the client, slipping it into Mystere’s purse. Unaware of what she’s carrying, trouble comes for Mystere when Reinhardt ends up murdered by a mystery man armed with a bladed cane. Recognizing the trouble she’s in, Mystere finds help from Inspector Colt (Philip Coccioletti), who reveals the lighter is carrying photos that expose the culprit behind a recent political assassination, putting the pair in harm’s way as the killer focuses on eliminating them.

“Mystere” is oddly structured, opening with a prologue that details the central assassination and Reinhardt’s photography skills, quickly snapping away as a political leader is killed in public, even managing to capture the identity of the killer. These photos are put into play, and the film starts to track the days, though why this is necessary isn’t clarified. Instead, we watch Mystere come into view, presenting herself as a high-class sex worker dominating Roman streets, displaying her exceptional beauty. Parts of her life are explored, including interactions with pimp Mink (Gabriele Tinti) and a friendship with Pamela, whose act of theft puts her friend in hot water with those looking to destroy incriminating negatives hidden in a cigarette lighter.

There’s movement to “Mystere” in its early going, following the main character as she deals with customers, using her ways with practiced flattery to disarm almost anyone she encounters. Vanzina clearly loves the casting, concentrating on Bouquet’s appearance, and the development of trouble is interesting, putting a shadowy figure with a specialized cane on the hunt to find her. Murder sequences aren’t especially flashy (especially for giallo entertainment), but some suspense is developed, and chases start arriving, following the hunt on rooftops and a subway station. Someone is out to kill Mystere, who finds assistance from Colt, though he’s no prince, but the first hour develops a mild sense of viewer engagement, sold with a touch of early-‘80s style.

Mystère Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation is listed as "newly scanned and restored in 4K from its 35mm original camera negative." Color is striking throughout the viewing experience, delivering sharp primaries on makeup additions, including blazing red lips and fingernails. Period fashion is also distinct, along with hair color and skin tones. Cooler urban tours are preserved. Detail is strong, doing especially well with ample skin particulars. Costuming is fibrous, exploring evening wear and crisper suits. Interiors retain depth, examining various living spaces, and decorative additions are open for inspection. Exteriors are deep. Delineation is satisfactory, maintaining shadow play. Grain is fine and film-like. Source is in good condition, with a few blips of damage.

Mystère Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix secures clean dialogue exchanges, with dubbed performances remaining intelligible throughout the listening events. Scoring is active, supporting with clear instrumentation and dramatic emphasis. Sound effects are appreciable.

Mystère Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film historians Eugenio Ercolani, Nathaniel Thompson, and Troy Howarth.

• "Two Brothers for a Mystere" (24:51, HD) is an interview with writer Enrico Vanzina, who takes viewers back to the 1980s, when he joined brother Carlo on a string of filmmaking successes that boosted their industry visibility. Creating a company to help steer their careers, the men embarked on the production of "Mystere," which was partially inspired by 1981's "Diva." The casting of Carole Bouquet is assessed, brought on to the project due to her physical beauty, which was of primary concern to Carlo, and the star fed into a family love of the James Bond films, as the actress was fresh off her role in "For Your Eyes Only." Other casting achievements are noted, bringing in a wide range of talent for the English- language endeavor. Music by Armando Trovajoli is also celebrated. The conversation turns to Enrico's father, Stefano Vanzina, who provided his sons with an education on the ways of moviemaking, shaping their interests in crime stories, and career highlights alongside Carlo are noted.

• "An American in Rome" (19:58, HD) is an interview with actor Greg Snegoff, identifying hismelf as a third-generation thespian, charting the career of his grandfather and father, who made his way around Hollywood after World War II. In the 1970s, Snegoff accepted advice to relocate to Rome, tempted by employment in dubbing, building his voicework resume. The interviewee presents memories from his time on the set of "Mystere," describing star Carole Bouquet as "cold and aloof," also sharing thoughts on additional co-stars. Career adventures are tracked, including days spent on 1984's "She" (described here as "not a well-planned movie") and dubbing efforts provided on "Yor: The Hunter from the Future," detailing star Reb Brown's severe acting limitations.

• "The House of Mystere" (19:23, HD) is an interview with production designer Paola Comencini, who got her start as a volunteer on Billy Wilder's "Avanti," receiving a chance to work alongside a beloved filmmaker. Knowing producer Carlos Vanzina since she was very young, Comencini reflects on their friendship and their shared experience as the children of moviemakers, as her father was Luigi Comencini. Talk of "Mystere" is offered (she describes the picture as not "not perfect, but it was a good effort"), identifying the visual style of the feature, inspired by American magazines. The interviewee jumps all over the place at times, reflecting on career achievements and trials (sharing that moviemaking is a "madhouse"), and she explores the relationship between Carlos and Enrico Vanzina, who were trying to move away from comedies with "Mystere."

• Alternate Italian Titles (6:22, HD) are offered.

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

Mystère Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The identity of the killer is revealed halfway through "Mystere," which graduates to a game of intimidation and double-crosses. This development isn't welcome, transforming the endeavor from a passably lurid movie to a more conventional effort, and one that loses steam as it goes, getting caught up in weak plotting and limp sequences of danger. It all leads to an abrupt conclusion set in Hong Kong, playing like a production that didn't actually have an ending, making one up on the spot. "Mystere" doesn't possess a knockout punch, but initial danger and personal encounters manage to hold attention, giving the feature enough of a charge to cover its unfortunate decline.