Sleepless 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		5.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.0

Sleepless 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

2001’s “Sleepless” is a sign of life in the career of director Dario Argento. Struggling throughout the 1990s to recapture his creative mojo, Argento found something interesting in a giallo that played with scenes of vicious violence and the waning memory of a detective reconnecting with the biggest case of his career after decades away from the clues. Argento seems to understand the stakes of the picture, attempting to use his 1975 shocker “Deep Red” as an influence over the production, even recruiting Goblin to score the endeavor. As with most releases from the helmer, “Sleepless” is odd and a bit unwieldy, but Argento finds inspiration in the material, handling murder sequences with skill. He also has help from star Max von Sydow, who brings a lot of presence and commitment to the effort, helping to boost some dramatic urgency as the tale works around offerings of graphic violence.

Sleepless 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Screencaps are taken from the Blu-ray.

"Sleepless" was previously issued on Blu-ray in 2020 by Scorpion Releasing, and the label provided an appealing transfer of the film at the time. Vinegar Syndrome returns to the title with a new UHD release, listed as "Presented in Dolby Vision HDR and newly scanned and restored from its 35mm original camera negative." The new offering of "Sleepless" brings the viewing experience up a notch, providing rich hues throughout the movie, doing particularly well with primaries, including deep reds for blood and makeup, and cool blue lighting. Warmer looks at living spaces are preserved, along with distinct greens on Turin locations and a pet bird. Detail is excellent, sharper than Scorpion, getting into the pores on actors are skin particulars are preserved. Fine hairs and fibrous costuming is appreciable as well. Interiors maintain clarity on decorative additions, and exteriors are deep. Blacks are strong, securing shadowy events and evening activity. Highlights are tasteful. Grain is fine and film-like. Source is in good condition.

Sleepless 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Audio options include English and Italian 5.1 DTS-HD MA tracks. The English mix was previously marked on the Scorpion disc as flawed, with a moment in the picture (around the 75 minute mark) briefly slipping out of sync. This issue carries over to the Vinegar Syndrome release, which is also tripped up at this moment. The rest of the track appears to be in working order, handling dialogue exchanges with appealing clarity, exploring dubbed performances and von Sydow's natural voice, which feels very organic to the listening experience. The tracks are mostly similar, handling a circular sense of music, exploring moods and intensity with crisp instrumentation. Sound effects also play with some movement in the surrounds, and atmospherics are appreciable. Low-end isn't challenged.

Sleepless 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film historians Troy Howarth and Nathaniel Thompson.

• "Still Awake" (15:15, HD) is an interview with actress Chiara Caselli, who had some familiarity with director Dario Argento when she was hired to make "Sleepless" with a "master of cinema." Dealing with a case of conjunctivitis, Caselli answers questions about the making of the movie while freely admitting she doesn't like the interview process. The harp played an important part in two of her performances, requiring the actress to handle lessons while having little musical ability. Time in Turin is recalled, along with days spent with co-star Max von Sydow, and a love affair blossomed with actor Stefano Dionsi, helping with on-screen chemistry. Technical challenges are also identified, handling Argento's general disinterest in acting and special effects work.

• "The One Who Saw" (9:36, HD) is an interview with actor Stefano Dionsi, who initially refused a part in a Dario Argento film due to violent content, eventually winning a larger role in "Sleepless." The Turin shoot is recalled, with Dionsi offering his honest opinion about the city, and he offers great respect for co-star Max von Sydow. Thoughts on Argento's on-set presence are provided, and the interviewee analyzes the challenge of shooting "Sleepless" in English, which wasn't a natural fit for the supporting cast.

• "Behind the Smile" (16:59, HD) is an interview with actor Roberto Zibetti, who grew up in Turin, understanding director Dario Argento's presence as young man. Advised during his initial meeting with Argento to consult a therapist before shooting began, Zibetti delves into the psychology of his character and he celebrates his co-stars, recognizing his time with some acting greats. Memories of Argento are supplied, including the helmer's hands at work with bloody effects, and technical credits are praised.

• "The Invisible Work" (25:09, HD) is an interview with editor Anna Napoli, who went from working with Asia Argento to her father, Dario Argento, brought on to help with "Sleepless," impressing the director with her work. The interviewee offers a surprising revelation about Argento: the man hates violence, often turning his eyes away from gory events in the editing room. She also explores his misogyny and jealousy, as she was officially nominated for an Italian award for her labor on "Sleepless," which turned into a hit film, only to learn Argento suddenly wasn't interested in collaborating again for "The Card Player," removing her from the project.

• "One Last Score" (21:39, HD) is an interview with composer Claudio Simonetti, who was excited to reunite with his Goblin bandmates to work on "Sleepless," only to run into artistic differences that forced the group to work separately on the project. The interviewee supplies Goblin history and his time on director Dario Argento's previous productions, scoring some of the biggest successes of his career. Simonetti also discusses his contributions to "Sleepless" and analyzes instrumentation used to score the feature.

• "Bloodwork" (19:54, HD) is an interview with special FX artist Sergio Stivaletti, who first heard about "Sleepless," understanding it was meant to be a return to director Dario Argento's "Deep Red" years. Joining the crew, Stivaletti was in charge of many visual elements in the production, exploring his labor and creative intent, and even highlighting mistakes, as one severed head effect required some digital enhancement when Argento criticized the craftsmanship.

• "He Never Sleeps" (18:30, HD) is an interview with co-writer/director Dario Argento, who describes the state of his career in 2000, making a return to giallo entertainment after time away from his "specialty." An explanation for the title is offered, pulled from Son of Sam writings, and Argento explores his collaboration on the screenplay, enjoying his days cooking up a crime story. Turin locations are highlighted, with the filmmaker eager to display the city's inherent beauty and hidden suburbia. An overview of the opening sequence is provided (short BTS footage is included), with Argento hoping to begin "Sleepless" with a proper bang. Casting achievements are highlighted, and the interviewee goes into his special relationship with Max Von Sydow, who enjoyed his time on-set so much, he personally pitched a sequel. Style choices are examined, including the "carpet kill," and the dangers of production are recalled during a scene where a woman is drowned. Argento closes with an assessment of "Sleepless" (he doesn't seem too thrilled with the effort), his return to the music of Goblin, and his thematic intent with the work, reviving an obsession with the puzzling ways of memories.

• "Don't Go to Sleep" (17:05, HD) is a conversation with actor Paolo Maria Scalondro, who was hired at the last minute for "Sleepless." The interviewee describes his process to create a character and his impressions of director Dario Argento's on-set behavior, admitting the helmer has quite a temper when actors aren't listening to him. Co-stars are assessed, and love is shared for Max Von Sydow, who became a friend. Scalondro shares his impressions of Turin and his bodily response to night shooting, Crew interactions are offered, along with technical challenges for his climatic scene. Scalondro also recalls the movie's critical reception, and provides his own reaction to "Sleepless," admitting the picture doesn't have much to offer after its opening sequence.

• "The Cop and the Parrot" (11:10, HD) sits down with co-writer Franco Ferrini, who recounts his time working with director Dario Argento, finding inspiration for "Sleepless" in mystery books. Ferrini shares his knowledge of Argento's influences and identifies contributions from writer Carlo Lucarelli, who added some police procedure to the endeavor. Analysis of the opening scene is shared, and thespian additions from Max Von Sydow are revealed, with the legendary actor putting thought into his character's world of solitude and pet ownership.

• "Blood on the Tracks" (15:47, HD) focuses on production designer Antonello Geleng, who discusses technical challenges on "Sleepless," and the production's use of Turin. Geleng offers an assessment of Dario Argento and his own collaborations with the director, ultimately admitting he doesn't even really like horror movies to begin with.

• "Killed Three Times" (12:32, HD) sits down with actor Gabriele Lavia, who details his long history with director Dario Argento, dating back to a supporting role in "Deep Red." Some excellent timing also won him a part in "Inferno," with "Sleepless" his third collaboration with the helmer, gifting him time with Max Von Sydow. Lavia closes with an appreciation for cinema.

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

Sleepless 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

In a career that went from consistent imagination and almost unreal control over mood to scattered moments of functionality, "Sleepless" is arguably the last good film Argento has crafted. He's on his feet in the feature, orchestrating a few cracking suspense set pieces and overseeing some twisted visuals involving the destruction of victims at the hand of a mysterious killer. It's not always a thrilling sit, but the picture is mostly alert and ready to get ugly in the name of crime-solving, doing well with its assortment of red herrings, suspects, and star Max von Sydow, who's often asked to share scenes with a bird, and he makes it all feel incredibly natural.