Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		4.5
Overall		2.5

The Devil's Honey 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman May 20, 2024

Severin Films released The Devil's Honey on 1080 disc several years ago, and is now returning to the well (and/or honey pot) for a 4K UHD upgrade. Severin ups the allure ante for Lucio Fulci fans in particular by also offering a newly discovered audio interview with the director as one of the two new supplements appended to bonus features ported over from the 1080 release. Both the 1080 and 4K UHD versions are sourced from a new 4K scan of the original camera negative.

For my thoughts on the film and Severin's first 1080 release, those interested can head over to my The Devil's Honey Blu-ray review.

The Devil's Honey 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Note: Screenshots are sourced off the 1080 disc included with this release.

The Devil's Honey is presented in 4K UHD courtesy of Severin Films with an HEVC / H.265 2160p transfer in 1.85:1. A 1080 disc of the feature (and supplements) is also included, with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.85:1. The back cover of this release states the presentation is "now scanned in 4K from the original negative". Both the 1080 and 4K UHD presentations are rather interesting when compared to Severin's older 1080 release. Both of these new versions are better suffused and at times quite a bit darker (compare screenshot 3 in this review with screenshot 4 in my older review for just one good example). At times color timing shows noticeable differences, with this new version being a bit less yellow than the older one, but at other times I'd argue the color timing is very similar. Another similarity to Severin's older version is the extremely thick, mottled grain field, especially in some of the recording studio material, but also scattered pretty liberally throughout the rest of the presentation. Grain can recede in the most brightly lit outdoor moments and even some of the better lit interior moments, but it is thick and often clumpy to the point of almost looking like macroblocking at times, and for that reason alone, my hunch is some may prefer the new 1080 resolution to the 2160, since all of the chunkiness (which is often accompanied by yellow and/or blue chroma effects) is only increased in 4K UHD. Both versions still show some damage, including at least one long lasting purple-blue scratch running the length of the frame a bit right of center (see screenshot 4). I frankly wouldn't argue that HDR adds a huge difference to the 4K UHD presentation, though some of the summery yellow tones in the latter half of the film may be a bit more buttery. One way or the other, suffusion on both versions is noticeably improved from the older 1080 version. My 1080 score for this new version is 4.25.

The Devil's Honey 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

This release offers DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono tracks in either Italian and English, both of which sound identical to my ears with the LPCM 2.0 Mono offerings on Severin's first 1080 release. Both tracks show clear signs of having been post dubbed, as tends to be the case with many Italian features. The Italian track has notably higher amplitude and an at least somewhat clearer high end than the somewhat muffled sounding English language track. The English language voice work is pretty inartful. There's passing but never overly problematic age related wear and tear, including clear pops and cracks as both tracks begin, along with what almost sounds like a bit of tape wobble during some of the sax drenched music. Other cues show just slight distortion, something that's perhaps a bit more noticeable on the Italian track since it's louder and has clearer highs. Dialogue also resonates more clearly on the Italian language track. Optional English subtitles are available.

The Devil's Honey 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

4K UHD Disc

• Trailer (HD; 2:46)

1080 Disc ports over the previously released supplements, with two new additions identified below with an asterisk (*):

• Sax, Lies and Videotape* (HD; 14:36) is an interview with actress Blanca Marsillach.


• Archival Audio Interview with Director Lucio Fulci by Michele Romagnoli* (HD; 6:28) plays to old style tape reels revolving intercut (no pun intended) with scenes from the film. Subtitled in English.


• The Devil's Halsey: An Interview with Actor Brett Halsey (HD; 17:26)


• Wild Flower: An Interview with Actress Corinne Clery (HD; 12:13)


• Producing Honey: An Interview with Producer Vincenzo Salviani (HD; 13:22)


• The Devil's Sax: An Interview with Composer Claudio Natili (HD; 9:51)


• Stephen Thrower on The Devil's Honey (HD; 21:43) has some really good background on Fulci's career at this juncture as well as some of the "borrowing" Fulci may have done from another film he wrote, La Gabbia (also known as Collector's Item).


• Fulci's Honey: An Audio Essay by Troy Howarth (HD; 16:55) actually plays out to a largely relevant series of images, and covers a bit of the same ground as the Thrower piece while also offering other assessments of the film at hand.


• Alternate Opening (HD; 2:33)


• Trailer (HD; 2:40)

Packaging features a slipbox.

The Devil's Honey 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

If you're a Fulci fan, you may have some idea of what you're in for with regard to The Devil's Honey, but this intentionally provocative film may be stronger on shock value than it is on anything overly analytical or "meaningful" (despite an attempt at a little poetic philosophy as the film comes to a close). Both video and audio encounter passing hurdles, but generally speaking this new transfer at least shows some better saturation, even if grain can still be incredibly thick and some damage has still escaped the restoration gauntlet. The supplementary package is outstanding, which may add to the allure for anyone who may be considering making a purchase.