6.6 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
The plot revolves around a series of murders taking place in a New England home - a home which happens to be hiding a particularly gruesome secret within its basement walls.
Starring: Catriona MacColl, Paolo Malco, Ania Pieroni, Giovanni Frezza, Silvia CollatinaHorror | 100% |
Foreign | 31% |
Supernatural | 14% |
Video codec: HEVC / H.265
Video resolution: 4K (2160p)
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.35:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English: DTS-HD Master Audio Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)
Italian: DTS-HD Master Audio Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)
English, English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
4K Ultra HD
Region B (A, C untested)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 0.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 5.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Fans of physical Blu-ray and/or 4K UHD media often have to navigate a rather roiling sea of changing licensing agreements in various regions, and in that regard The House by the Cemetery is certainly no exception. Region A consumers were treated to both a 4K UHD and 1080 release by Blue Underground back in 2020, which provided the basis for both of these two new releases (i.e., 4K UHD and 1080) from Arrow, but Blue Underground evidently re- released their 1080 version in 2022, and what I suspect was an older transfer was included in Blue Underground's 2015 The Lucio Fulci Collection release. Reaching even further back into the dim mists of Region A time, Blue Underground brought out what seems to be its first 1080 release way back in 2011. If Blue Underground has been the "go to" label for this film on this side of the pond, Region B has been well served by Arrow itself, which has been bringing out 1080 releases of the film since 2012, according to our database. As usual, though, with these new versions Arrow has sweetened the pot (plot? -- i.e., grave) by offering a beautifully packaged release that includes the supplements from the many Blue Underground releases, along with newly curated items. About the only "downside" some may have with this release is that the 4K UHD version does not include the Dolby Atmos track that was offered on Blue Underground's release.
Note: Screenshots are sourced from Arrow's standalone 1080 release of the film. This package does not include a 1080 disc, hence the absence of a 2K video
score above.
The House by the Cemetery is presented in 4K UHD courtesy of Arrow Video with an HEVC / H.265 encoded 2160p transfer in 2.35:1.
Arrow
includes
the same insert booklet in both its 1080 and 4K UHD releases, which offers the following information on the restoration:
The House by the Cemetery / Quella villa accanto al cimitero is presented in its original aspect ratio of 2.35:1 and is presented in HDR10 and Dolby Vision on the 4K Ultra HD release. The English audio is presented in its original mono and a 5.1 surround remix. The Italian audio is presented in its original mono.This is another fascinating example of what a 4K UHD presentation can offer, though it may surprise some fans. I actually found the HDR and/or Dolby Vision grades to be just a tad cooler than I probably would have preferred, something that's especially noticeable in the opening vignette as well as some of the later outdoor material in particular. There's a kind of chilly wintry ambience in this version that isn't quite as noticeable in Arrow's 1080 version, and very slight hints of blue or even teal can attend some scenes. There are some very appealing upticks in fine detail in particular in this version, and HDR also helps to at least marginally illuminate some of the shadow detail in the many scary cellar sequences. The 4K UHD version probably only ups the "squirm factor" in some of the more brutal special effects, notably some of the effluent that spills out of Dr. Freudstein in the film's chaotic climax. Regular readers of my reviews know I'm not always a big fan of grain resolution in some 4K UHD presentations, but I was rather pleasantly surprised by the overall tightness of the grain field here.
The new 4K restoration was produced by Blue Underground. The original 35mm camera negative was scanned, graded in HDR10 and restored in 4K resolution at Augustus Color, Rome, Italy. Dolby Vision HDR colour grading and additional restoration were completed at Illuminate Hollywood, Studio City, CA, USA.
Audio restoration of the English soundtracks was completed at Post Haste Digital/Deluxe Media, Los Angeles, CA, USA. Audio restoration of the Italian soundtrack was completed at Bad Princess Productions, London.
The House by the Cemetery features DTS-HD Master Audio Mono tracks in either English or Italian, duplicating the film's original theatrical exhibition, as well as a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 reimagining in English. Both mono tracks offer good reproduction of the film's often gruesome sound effects, while offering secure renderings of score and dialogue as well. The 5.1 track definitely opens things up, especially in isolated effects moments like when Norman drops a tape into a furnace chute, as well as some of the mayhem that ensues in the cellar, but it's really a rather restrained surround repurposing, which I for one like. Optional English subtitles are available.
- Commentary by Troy Howarth
- Commentary by Catriona MacColl and Calum Waddell
- Commentary by Silvia Collatina and Mike Baronas
- Introduction by Giovanni Frezza (HD; 00:18)
- Back to the Cellar (HD; 15:08) is an interview with Giovanni Frezza.
- Cemetery Woman (HD; 29:21) is an interview with Catriona MacColl.
- Wax Mask: Finishing the Final Fulci (HD; 8:25) is an interview with filmmaker and special makeup effects artist Sergio Stivaletti. Subtitled in English.
- Freudstein's Follies (HD; 10:17) is an interview with special effects artist Giannetto De Rossi. Subtitled in English.
- Ladies of Italian Horror (HD; 24:05) features interviews with Stefania Casini, Barbara Magnolfi and Silvia Collatina.
- The House by the Cemetery Q & A (HD; 44:07) is culled from a 2011 panel at HorrorHound in Indianapolis.
- International Theatrical Trailer (HD; 3:22)
- US Theatrical Trailer (HD; 1:49)
- TV Spot (HD; 00:33)
- Poster and Stills Gallery 1 (HD)
- Poster and Stills Gallery 2 (HD)
Fans of Fulci probably know at least a little of what to expect with this often very bloody enterprise, but aside and apart from any on screen violence, the film has an undeniably evocative mood and some fun performances (detractors of then little Giovanni Frezza will get a kick out of some of the interviews with the adult actor, who reminds people he was dubbed). Arrow provides another release with secure technical merits and some really outstanding supplements. Recommended.
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