Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		4.0

The Killer Is One of Thirteen Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf June 24, 2020

1973’s “The Killer is One of 13” has more in common with Agatha Christie than a true Euro ripper about a gloved killer. It’s an extraordinarily patient production, with the screenplay locked in exposition and confrontation mode for a whopping 63 minutes of screen time before the first murder occurs. The wait for mayhem is actually the most shocking element of the picture, which provides more of a theatrical-style viewing experience, watching capable actors devour the motivations they’ve been assigned, offering hearty performances for a feature that promises horror, but doesn’t make immediate plans to showcase genre highlights. “The Killer is One of 13” is not a movie for viewers who require their genre offerings to be relentless. Director Javier Aguirre takes the long way to bloodshed in this sluggish endeavor.

Lisa (Patty Shepard) is throwing a party, inviting people who knew her late husband, who died under strange circumstances two years ago. Promising a fun weekend, Lisa quickly shuts down any merriment, intending to use the gathering to suss out the person responsible for her spouse’s death. At first annoyed by the accusation, the gathered strangers are soon unable to leave the property, turning on one another as a masked killer starts killing off the visitors one-by-one.

There’s a decent hook to “The Killer is One of 13,” watching Lisa welcome irritable types and smooth talkers before accusing them of a heinous crime. Unfortunately, with such a massive cast, there’s a lot of characterization that requires attention, working through various individuals and couples to get a sense of temperaments. Suspicion extends to the staff as well, with Paul Naschy popping up a small role as a butler, offer time to be sexual and powerful in a feature that doesn’t prioritize such matters. What begins as basic exposition becomes a lengthy overview of personalities, with Aguirre putting the film into park while trying to juggle all these suspects. The performances are lively (Shepard is especially charged as the angry widow), but “The Killer is One of 13” doesn’t reach out and grab the audience, preferring to meander through relationship woes and bedroom gamesmanship.

The Killer Is One of Thirteen Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Listed as "Newly scanned and restored in 2K from its 35mm original negative," "The Killer is One of 13" delivers a highly textured and bright viewing experience for a largely conversational endeavor. The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation does especially well with color, offering a lush palette that confidently refreshes all period primaries emerging from costuming and personal style, including red hair. Decoration is vivid, surveying rooms filled with yellow furniture, while the opening dinner scene features pink candles burning in every shot. Eye color pops, along with greenery. Detail is sensational, offering fibrous outfits that move from heavier formalwear to lighter, silkier eveningwear. Tight leather gloves and gore zones are also defined, even identifying makeup limitations. Facial surfaces are exact, surveying different ages and offerings of facial hair. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is fine and film-like. Source has some wear and tear, encountering mild judder, occasional hairs, and damaged frames.

The Killer Is One of Thirteen Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix encounters an early surge in volume, with the main titles coming in hot, but balance is soon restored. The track isn't built for precision, offering a basic assortment of dubbed performances, finding dialogue exchanges acceptable, with a few minor sibilance issues. Scoring, which slips in and out of the movie randomly, is acceptable, with decent instrumentation. Sound effects are basic.

The Killer Is One of Thirteen Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film historian Kat Ellinger.

• Promotional Image Gallery (1:15) collects poster art and lobby cards.

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

The Killer Is One of Thirteen Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Again, there's a 63-minute-long wait before the killer gets to work, and once the villain arrives, "The Killer is One of 13" gets something going with stabbings, a bludgeoning, and even a garroting. Violence doesn't solve all the movie's problems, but at least the last act is livelier, playing into giallo expectations with some sense of style and aggression. It just takes an eternity to get there, keeping "The Killer is One of 13" extremely tame when it comes to suspense.