听 Widely regarded as the first stalk'n'slash movie, "Blood and Black Lace" has been subjected to UK video releases so lousy as to render it unwatchable. To see this remarkable film emerge and captivate on a new transfer to DVD is something special. VCI Entertainment is to be congratulated for this remarkable Region 1 disc.
Some of you may well remember various budget outings for this film on videotape, usually bearing a cover with soft porn images of women not even in the film! Cut by the censors and sourced from a print used as a doormat, this was a sorry treatment for such a movie. The new DVD is, in comparison, nearly flawless. Clear and bright, Bava's 'Giallo' proves that suspense could be shot in vivid Technicolor, and thanks to this disc, you can now see why.
The 2.0 mono sound mix is fine and an improvement on any that have gone before it.
Some very special features have been put together for this DVD. Tim Lucas provides a commentary thick with anecdotes and background information, and also included on the disc are two interviews. The first is with Cameron Mitchell, who is unstinting in his praise for Bava. He describes Bava's many technical tricks, including using a child's wagon for the impressive dolly shots through the fashion house. Given that Mitchell worked with such talents as Kazan and Bergman, his opinion is very valuable.
Equally in agreement is fellow star Mary Arden, who despite never having been paid, is in no doubt as to the importance of the film that she appeared in. All these testimonies along with the extra treats on this disc should provide a fascinating education for both Bava fans and the yet-to-be-converted.
NB: the release date above refers to the Region 1 disc.
Chapters: 15
Region: 1
Ratio: 1.66:1
Sound: Dolby Digital 2.0 (Mono)
Extra Features: Scene selection, audio commentary by Tim Lucas, isolated music score, three trailers, two bonus Bava trailers, Cameron Mitchell interview, Mary Dawne Arden interview, original US opening title sequence, original French opening title sequence, photo gallery, cast and crew biographies and filmographies, animated main menu, multiple languages, subtitles.
