This “Limited Edition” Blu-ray is currently available from Radiance Films.
While “Giallo” films were quite popular in Italy during the 1970s, there were plenty of other genres gaining attention at the local box office. Those who know their Italian history will be aware that a great deal of political unrest occurred during this era and many movies reflected these changes. In fact, there was even a name for them, called “Cinema Civile” pictures. Slap the Monster on Page One is a unique hybrid that definitely serves as the latter, but also contains a violent and mysterious murder as part of the plot.
Radiance Films is now giving the picture a Blu-ray upgrade. Using a 4K picture restoration from the original camera negative under the supervision of the director, the movie looks about as good as it possibly can. It’s an older title that incorporates actual newsreel footage into its narrative, but presents a nice, clean image. It certainly looks much better here than it ever has before.
The story follows chief editor Giancarlo Bizanti (Gian Maria Volonte) and his staff at a right-wing, fascist newspaper called Il Giornale. Right from the get-go, viewers see nasty (and real) speeches from the era by extremist politicians, as well as students rebelling in the streets. Boss Bizanti puts his own right-wing spin on current events, empowering terrible people in the process and softening any horrific acts that those he promotes might be committing. When the body of a young woman is found raped and murdered, the paper jumps in, calling for the death of the attacker. Reporters Roveda (Fabio Garriba) and Lauri (Jaxques Herlin) investigate the crime, but Bizanti insists they point the finger at a left-wing student who is innocent of the slaying. Naturallly, even though evidence points to senator Mario Boni (Corrado Solari), the public seem ready to lynch the young man.
It’s certainly a tense and disturbing title that shows just how volatile the political situation was during this time in Italy. As mentioned, there is footage of a fascist politician in the movie who later became a high ranking official in the government. Everything about the feature connects with the current situation in the US as well. Admittedly, some of the paper’s enemies are less-than-angelic too, but it’s clear who the nastiest people are. Those who watch the film will clearly see how media forces can twist the truth and manipulate the public into believing false claims.
The movie also uses a great deal of impressive long takes as the investigation unfolds. But while it is a narrative with some elaborately staged shots, the film maintains a gritty, almost documentary-like feeling. The details behind the murder do fit to a degree with a “Giallo” picture, but it isn’t as exaggerated. The events are not depicted in an over-the-top manner that you might expect to see in typical murder/mystery from the period and region. This realistic tone makes the events feel unsettling and the film is generally effective at showing how nasty waves of extremism can overtake a region.
As mentioned, the picture is strong. There is some natural grain in the image here and there, but it isn’t distracting. Most shots are generally clear and the long takes are impressively staged. I enjoyed the many shots of conversations with papers being printed in the background and discussions within the newspaper office and publishing area.
The extras are also helpful in detailing what was going on behind-the-scenes. There is an interview with director Marco Bellocchio, who stepped in to helm the feature at the last minute after star Volonte and the original filmmaker severed ties. Bellocchio is an entertaining interview. He speaks very loudly, almost yelling at times as he describes the complicated shoot. The filmmaker didn’t write the picture and initially almost appears to be distancing himself from the finished product, yet eventually comes around to admiring his part in it. He notes that he did his best to add some of his leftist ideals and viewpoints into the screenplay. The filmmaker talks about his other projects and is interesting to listen to.
There is also a discussion with a film critic and Italian movie expert who goes into the history of the era and adds more information to the real influences behind this movie. Viewers will definitely learn more about right-wing papers, as well as the actual newsreel footage and who the persons captured were, as well as the public response to the film (which wasn’t exceptional at the time of release, but has now grown as the years have passed).
Filmmaker and movie historian Alex Cox (Repo Man, Sid and Nancy, Walker) also discusses the title and shares his thoughts. He admits to having issues with the film, stating that the reveal to the murder isn’t anything surprising given its stance, but also notes elements of the story that do work and are intriguing.
And, as always, a nice booklet is included with writing on the movie. It all comes in a case featuring a reversible cover.Those curious about Italian politics or the current nastiness going around will see plenty of parallels in Slap the Monster on Page One. The movie isn’t perfect, but it does effectively display sinister acts being committed by influential individuals whose motivations are wealth and power that is tied to the success of one particular political faction. The disc also comes with some enlightening and illuminating extras that will please anyone interested in the story. This is another solid release from Radiance Films.