Hatchet for the Honeymoon

Hatchet for the Honeymoon," a vivid representation of Mario Bava’s lurid cinematic palette, particularly shines in its Blu-ray incarnation despite lacking a comprehensive frame-by-frame restoration, which its status as a second-tier giallo unfortunately does not warrant. The 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer takes advantage of its source material without succumbing to unnecessary digital clean-up, such as DNR or edge enhancement, preserving the film's authentic visual aesthetic. Minor signs of age, including specks, scratches, and the odd hair, are present but do not distract significantly from the viewing experience. The transfer benefits from slight color corrections, ensuring that colors remain accurate and vibrant enough, especially considering the film's era and genre. The remarkable use of Crayola-red for blood remains distinctively striking against the upgraded backdrop.

In terms of technical specifics, the Blu-ray presents "Hatchet for the Honeymoon" in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio. While the source print exhibits commendable preservation with minor aged-related wear and an overall satisfactory color palette that leans towards a warmer hue, it slightly detracts from the boldness of primaries and soft pastels alike. Flesh tones are affected by this shift, appearing more tan and orange than natural. Despite these color timing issues, the transfer delivers in terms of contrast and black levels, offering deep and mostly consistent blacks along with excellent shadow detail. This is integral for appreciating the film's visual depth and atmospheric settings.

The encoding does well to enhance clarity and detail compared to previous home video editions, presenting a discernible improvement in texture and fine detail in several scenes, although it stops short of achieving the sharpness expected of high-definition content. The video quality marks a notable improvement, enriching viewers' experience with more defined and detailed imagery, yet it also reveals its limitations with some scenes and close-ups lacking in sharpness. Overall, Kino’s transfer honors the film's original characteristics while providing a modest upgrade that fans will appreciate, maintaining a balance between authenticity and enhancement without venturing into overprocessed territory.

The audio presentation of "Hatchet for the Honeymoon" on Blu Ray leaves much to be desired, with its uncompressed Linear PCM 2.0 track suffering from numerous issues that detract from the viewing experience. Listeners will find themselves challenged by a variety of audio imperfections including splice pops, crackles, and low hisses that are frequently present throughout the film. Additionally, the high end occasionally clips, especially noticeable in the peaks of the score, leading to a sometimes muddled sound. While the English dubbed dialogue remains comprehensible, its cleanliness fluctuates, and the absence of subtitles may inconvenience some viewers. The dynamic range's tendency to clip and the minimal to non-existent low bass contribute further to a lack of auditory depth.

Furthermore, the audio inconsistencies extend to the dialogue reproduction, with volumes varying markedly between conversations, and ADR work and lip-sync issues proving distractingly poor. Background noise along with harsh hissing and pops are not only brash but can also reach ear-splitting levels in several sections. This results in an overall soundstage that feels uniformly flat, devoid of much-needed life or warmth, and ultimately leaves the lossless mix feeling significantly below par.

Despite these drawbacks, it's worth noting that the film’s score does provide moments of enjoyment with its ominous tones and the inclusion of a lively yé-yé-style dance song. However, these highlights do little to compensate for the overall disappointing audio performance. In essence, while faithful fans of "Hatchet for the Honeymoon" might appreciate the nostalgic charm of this release, those expecting a polished audio experience will likely find the presentation underwhelming.

The Blu-ray extra presentation of "Hatchet for the Honeymoon" offers a richly detailed exploration into the film's background and Mario Bava's directorial nuances, primarily through the lens of Tim Lucas, whose audio commentary stands out as a treasure trove of information. Lucas, known for his authoritative biography on Bava, delves deep into the production's lore, sharing fascinating bits about the cast, Bava's personal and professional life, and the film's place in his career. Complementing the commentary, the inclusion of high-definition trailers for "Hatchet for the Honeymoon" and four additional Bava classics provides a broader context of Bava's influential work in cinema, making this extra presentation a must-have for aficionados and newcomers to Italian horror alike.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Tim Lucas offers an insightful commentary on the film's production and Mario Bava's life.
• Trailers: High definition trailers for "Hatchet for the Honeymoon," "Black Sunday," "Baron Blood," "Lisa and the Devil," and "The House of Exorcism.

Mario Bava's "Hatchet for the Honeymoon" is a fascinating entry in the giallo genre that, while not reaching the violent crescendos of his more celebrated works, offers a peculiar blend of psychological suspense and horror, underscored by its unique narrative and stylistic choices. The film situates itself in the early '70s giallo tradition with its signature blend of murder, mystery, and macabre elegance, yet it diverges with a focus on the psychological unraveling of its protagonist, John Harrington, played with unsettling conviction by Stephen Forsyth. Harrington, a bridal dress designer with a dark secret, embodies the archetypal charming sociopath, presenting an outward veneer of success and normalcy while harboring a sinister obsession with death that is both eroticized and ritualistic.

The narrative unfolds with a cold open that sets the tone for the ensuing psychological exploration. The murder sequence, characterized by its dreamlike quality and suggestive violence, establishes Bava's directorial craft in creating tension through atmosphere rather than explicit gore. The film's strength lies in its ability to merge this suspenseful foundation with a why-dunnit storyline, delving into Harrington's troubled psyche and his disturbing justification for his crimes. His complex relationship with his overbearing wife, Mildred, who later haunts him as a specter, adds a layer of gothic intrigue to the plot, further blending elements of horror with a tragic character study.

Though "Hatchet for the Honeymoon" might not resonate with those expecting the visceral impact of Bava’s more gruesome offerings, it stands out for its peculiar synthesis of giallo tropes with a deeper psychological underpinning. The film’s cinematography, eerie soundtrack, and Forsyth’s compelling performance converge to create a disconcerting experience that lingers. While some may critique the film for its narrative shortcomings and over-reliance on Freudian clichés, its allure lies in its ability to subvert expectations and present a portrait of madness veiled behind the façade of societal norms and success. This makes it a worthy, if underrated, addition to Bava's oeuvre and the broader giallo canon.

Hatchet for the Honeymoon" might not stand at the pinnacle of Mario Bava's illustrious career, but it slices through the competition to prove itself more than just a footnote in his filmography. Serving as a gateway into Bava's unique vision of giallo horror for newcomers, the film dazzles with its mix of lurid terror and a whimsicle yet darkly amusing supernatural twist. For ardent followers of the genre and the director, this Blu-ray release from Kino Lorber is a welcome addition, mainly due to its scarcity on high-definition formats. The new transfer presents a significant visual improvement over past DVD releases, breathing new life into Bava's vibrant and macabre visuals, though it is accompanied by an audio quality that leaves room for improvement.

Performance-wise, Stephen Forsyth stands out with his portrayal of a disturbed killer, adding depth and complexity to the thrilling narrative. The film itself explores themes of madness and the supernatural with an engaging flair that keeps viewers hooked till the end. Unfortunately, the Blu-ray package does not come loaded with extras; it offers only an audio commentary track. However, this particular inclusion is notably informative, with Tim Lucas providing insights that will both educate and entertain fans and new viewers alike. The technical aspects show a mix of hits and misses, with a solid video upgrade slightly marred by less-than-stellar audio fidelity.

In conclusion, "Hatchet for the Honeymoon" on Blu-ray represents a mixed bag. While the film itself is an underrated gem in Mario Bava's repertoire, offering an intriguing blend of horror and mystery with commendable performances, the physical release could have benefitted from additional bonus content and an enhanced audio track. Nonetheless, for those devoted to the art of Italian horror or seeking to dive deeper into Bava's body of work, this Blu-ray is an essential, albeit slightly flawed, addition to their collection.