This Blu-ray/DVD combo release is currently available from VCI Entertainment.
Italian filmmaker Mario Bava may not be familiar to every reader, but his influence on horror cinema cannot be underestimated. A cinematographer turned director, his work includes the classics Black Sunday (1960), Black Sabbath (1963), Planet of the Vampires (1965) and the spy film Danger: Diabolik (1968) among many others. This week, VCI have released an excellent Blu-ray/DVD combo pack of another iconic feature in his oeuvre, Blood and Black Lace (1964). This picture is among the first “giallo” thrillers that would ultimately inspire the later works of Dario Argento (Suspiria) and countless others.
The film is a graphic murder/mystery featuring a gloved, masked killer slaughtering women at a large Couture House in Rome. The designer fashion label is managed by Max Morlan (Cameron Mitchell) and run by his girlfriend, Christina Como (Eva Bartok). After the brutal slaying of a model on the property, the victim’s diary is discovered by Nicole (Arianna Gorini) and is quickly stolen by Peggy (Mary Arden). As the police investigate and rumor spreads, it appears that everyone at the fashion label has something to hide. It isn’t long before beautiful bodies start piling up.
No one is going to praise the movie for its acting chops or relatable characters. Frankly, there aren’t very many likable persons. However, it is the first of its kind in other ways. The movie features stunning, colorful imagery from beginning to end. Bava emphasizes cinematic style here and provides it in droves. Everything from the elaborate costumes (including the sinister killer decked out in a black trench-coat and nylon mask) to the striking use of bold colors like red, purple and blue are incredible to witness. They’re so strong that some of the hues almost approach neon.
There are also remarkable camera set-ups, with some great low angles shooting up at characters and creating a foreboding and surreal atmosphere. This release presents the European cut of the film, which is roughly four or five minutes longer than the US edition and includes the murders in detail. While all of the killings are flashy, exaggerated and in some respects surreal, there is certainly more violence on display here than in the majority of films from its era. Some of the deaths, including a nasty furnace-related burn and another involving a spiked club are both unsettling and memorable.
As mentioned, the persons involves in the mayhem aren’t all that interesting (the police investigators could have been just as effectively played by planks of wood), but the movie itself is consistently gorgeous to witness. And when all is revealed in the final act, the remaining performers deliver some effective drama as motivations are explained. The climax, while dramatically exaggerated, is effective and adds a level of tension and pathos to the proceedings, making one wish that the actors could have emoted like this earlier.
Still, the movie most definitely a “giallo” classic and one that really set the tone for the work that would follow in Italy over the next two-plus decades. The image quality on the Blu-ray is equally remarkable, arriving with a new 2018 2K restoration of the film from its original elements. Viewers will note that the feature maintains a filmic look with grain, yet it’s impressively sharp and the colors really burst through the screen. This is a great-looking disc that will literally pop the eyes of viewers wide open.
The extras are interesting as well. The truncated US cut of the film is not included in this edition (which is fine since there isn’t any good reason to watch it after seeing the original European cut) but the release includes a comparison that shows scenes that were cut for the North American release. Essentially, all of the violence was significantly shortened.
The disc also includes some music tracks featuring the melodic score and a photo gallery. Also included as a bonus are the interesting US credits, which are totally different than in the European version. While the American cut features titles over a series of skulls and mannequins, the full version is actually much better, featuring the cast in beautifully lit, dramatic poses that really help establish the tone. It makes for a great comparison.
Finally, this disc includes two commentary tracks. One comes from Kat Ellinger, and is a really enjoyable and informative track. Instead of listing other credits of the cast and crew, much of it is devoted to themes as well as how the movie helped inspire other movies of its kind. The details explained really help beginners get a sense of Italian film and its history. She makes some interesting comments about Bava’s attempts to break free from realism, his use of color (this was essentially the first color “giallo” film) and the tendency of Italian filmmakers in this era to be critical of the wealthy and aristocratic (helping explain why the central, privileged characters here are less than empathetic).
The second track features film historian David Del Valle and director/writer C. Courtney Joyner (who penned the genre flicks From a Whisper to a Scream, Class of 1999, Puppet Master III, Trancers III). They’re huge fans and mix their personal experiences of first watching the film along with other details. Of course, they are also taken with the photography and try to go into more detail about the tracking shots and various camera tricks used. There is definitely some information repeated here, but they’re both fun to listen to.
Overall, this is a sharp and flamboyant Blu-ray that really helps new viewers see and understand how important Blood and Black Lace is for the genre of horror and suspense. Of course, this film wasn’t the end of director Mario Bava’s influence. One of his later films, A Bay of Blood (1971) was essentially the proto-slasher film, bearing great similarity to the later US production, Friday the 13th (1980). Horror fans with a taste for Italian cinema will definitely enjoy this release.