Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		2.0
Overall		3.5

Prozzie Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov January 13, 2017

Ulli Lommel's "Prozzie" (1983) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors 88 Films. The supplemental features on the disc a brand new video interview with cinematographer David Sperling; new video interview with director Ulli Lommel; and original trailers. The release also arrives with a leaflet featuring Dr. Calum Waddell's essay "Double Jeopardy". In English, without optional English subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

Like her mother

A little girl observes the brutal murder of her mother, a prostitute who works at home, but remains silent in the dark. When the camera comes closer to her face and looks straight into her eyes, one begins to wonder if she fully understands what has just taken place in the other room.

Some years later the girl has become a young woman who has married a guy with some serious anger issues. They frequently argue and he insists that he can take care of her and their financial troubles. But as time passes by they continue to drift apart, and when eventually he realizes that she does not trust him anymore, he hurts her. It is around this time that the girl notices some prostitutes waiting to be picked up near the London Bridge and decides that she could do the same to make a few extra bucks on the side. Shortly after, she kills a loner after her dead mother’s voice pops up in her head and insists that she ends his misery. Later on, during one of her regular trips to the bridge, she meets an American architect and the two begin a strange relationship -- they become attracted to each other but it is neither love nor sex that gradually strengthens their bond. Eventually the angry husband becomes suspicious, and when he discovers that she is having an affair he confronts her lover at the bridge.

She relocates to America, hoping that she can forget about the horrors of her past and begin a new life. For a while her plan works as intended, but then her life once again begins to spiral out of control.

There are segments of Ulli Lommel’s film Prozzie that work really well. Take for example the short prologue in which the prostitute is murdered by her kinky client. Immediately after she gets on top of him, one senses that something horrific is about to happen because the camera moves and observes their sexual game in a very specific way. Later on, the camera also very effectively follows the girl while she dresses up to go to the dark alley near the bridge where the prostitutes wait for clients. This type of material seems perfect for a psycho-sexual thriller that would fit somewhere between Brian De Palma’s Body Double and perhaps Stephan Elliott’s Eye of the Beholder. Instead of expanding what seems to be working so well, however, the film frequently switches gears and begins searching for a social reason that justifies the violence and decay like some of Ken Loach’s films typically do. (And it is not that difficult to figure out that poverty is the key reason). These shifts are not disappointing, but at times it feels like they are done simply because Lommel’s budget for the film was a lot smaller than it should have been. The end product is interesting, but it is not the straightforward genre piece that it is touted to be. (The Blu-ray release is part of 88 Films’ Slahsher Classics Collection). Indeed, the main reason why Prozzie actually pulls off some genuine surprises is the fact that it rather easily crosses genre lines and in the process builds up its own atmosphere.

In the United Kingdom, Prozzie has also been promoted under the alternative titles Olivia and Double Jeopardy. The film, which has been recently remastered, is presented fully uncut here.

Prozzie Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.87:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Ulli Lommel's Prozzie arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of 88 Films.

The release is sourced from a new HD transfer, but I do not know what type of source was used to produce it. If I had to guess, I would say that it is a secondary source of some sort. I doubt it was an interpositive because there are a few areas where density drops to a level that suggests an element that is perhaps another generation or two away from it. Regardless, during select close-ups depth ranges from decent to good, and some of the outdoor footage also boasts good clarity. However, there are some traces of aging, with color saturation in particular reveling that overall balance should be better. Some grain and noise management work must have been done, but for the most part the film retains a fairly pleasing organic appearance. Sharpness, depth, and fluidity could be much better. There are no traces of problematic sharpening adjustments. Also, there are no large damage marks, cuts, and debris, but a few tiny flecks remains. My score is 3.25/5.00. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your player regardless of your geographical location).

Prozzie Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are not parodied for the main feature.

There are no serious technical anomalies to report in our review. However, from time to time it feels like the dialog could be better rounded and fluidity in general could be improved. Dynamic movement is rather limited, but it is also true that the film does not have an active sound design. There are no pops, audio dropouts, or distortions to report.

Prozzie Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Cocaine Cowboys, Boogeymen & Prozzies - in this new video interview, cinematographer David Sperling recalls his early work on The Bogey Man and consequently on Prozzie (with some very interesting technical comments about the film stock that was used and the softer look of the film). In English, not subtitled. (24 min).

• Ulli Lommel on Prozzie - in this new video interview, director Ulli Lommel recalls how he shot Prozzie and explains in great detail why it is one of his favorite films. In English, not subtitled. (5 min).

• Trailer Reel - a collection of trailers for other 88 Films releases.

• Cover Art - reversible cover.

• Leaflet - featuring Dr. Calum Waddell's essay "Double Jeopardy".

Prozzie Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

I think that Prozzie would have been a lot more effective if it had a stronger psychedelic atmosphere as it seems like the 80's vibe that runs through it was perfect for it, but its rather awkward mood shifts are also quite interesting. I think that it will be received better by folks that like wacky low-budget films from the era, rather than those who have a soft spot for sleazy slasher gems. Prozzie has been remastered and looks good in high-definition. RECOMMENDED.