Blood and Black Lace Blu-ray Review

Arrow Video's Blu-ray presentation of Mario Bava's "Blood and Black Lace" boasts a meticulously restored video transfer, rendering the film with remarkable clarity and vibrancy. The film has undergone a 2K restoration, scanned from the original camera negative, which culminates in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio image encoded with AVC. The presentation is notable for its spectacular color fidelity, showcasing an expansive Technicolor palette. Primary colors are vivid and banding-free, while secondary hues blend seamlessly, delivering a mesmerizing visual experience. Black levels demonstrate commendable depth, while contrast remains consistently smooth, enhancing the three-dimensional quality of the image. Although one outdoor daytime sequence exhibits minor flickering and image drop-off, this appears source-related and minimally detracts from the overall excellence of the transfer.

Another key aspect of this transfer is the retention of a natural, film-like quality. There is no evidence of digital manipulation such as artificial sharpening or DNR. Grain structure is fine and embedded organically within the picture, preserving the film's authentic texture. The restoration process has effectively addressed instances of dirt and debris, resulting in a clean and robust visual presentation. While the chosen 1.67:1 aspect ratio appears contentious, potentially excluding crucial visual information from some scenes, this decision does not significantly impact the high overall image stability and detail level. For instance, intricate details ranging from facial expressions to set designs and props are rendered with striking clarity.

Incorporating feedback regarding image composition, a dual-ratio presentation—offering both 1.66:1 and 1.85:1—might cater more faithfully to Bava's original vision. However, despite potential framing discrepancies, Arrow Video's version provides an engrossing viewing experience marked by dynamic visual opulence and consistent technical finesse.

The Blu-ray release of "Blood and Black Lace" features two uncompressed PCM mono tracks in English and Italian, both delivered in 48kHz, 24-bit, which offer optional English subtitles for the Italian version. The audio presentation is remarkably clean; noticeable pops, hiss, and crackle have been skillfully diminished or removed. The English track offers crisp and clear dialogue, albeit with occasional lip-sync issues inherent to overdubbing practices of the time. Most notably, there is a slight solitary dropout. Despite the vintage mono limitations, the audio boasts substantial depth and detail, enhancing the film's immersive experience.

Sound elements such as the opening storm with its creaking sign, wind sounds, and the authentic rendering of car alarms and burning evidence contribute significantly to the atmospheric quality of the audio. During tense moments, clattering objects and muffled gunshots provide a convincing spatial effect within the mono mix. However, some effects like mistimed slaps could not escape their original source’s limitations. Carlo Rustichelli's orchestration shines through with clarity and detail, his crime-jazz score featuring soaring saxophone and brass sections that elevates the overall mood. The occasional buzz detected on both tracks, particularly during the more intense score segments, is a minor drawback but does not substantially detract from the viewing experience.

Both tracks maintain consistent quality, though the Italian version appears slightly better balanced without dropouts. Comparatively, the flickering buzz is less intrusive on the Italian track when juxtaposed against Carlo Rustichelli's music, adding to its subtle superiority. Overall, these audio tracks for "Blood and Black Lace" are lively and atmospheric, contributing an engaging auditory experience to match Bava's visually decadent film.

Arrow’s Blu-ray release of "Blood and Black Lace" is a treasure trove of extras that thoroughly enrich the seminal giallo experience. Highlighting the disc is a new commentary by Tim Lucas, a feature-length documentary titled "Psycho Analysis" surveying the origins and impact of the giallo genre, and Michael Mackenzie’s insightful video essay "Gender and Giallo". Complementary features include a panel discussion with Dario Argento and Lamberto Bava, an appreciation from filmmakers Hélène Cattet & Bruno Forzani, and the stylish neo-noir short film "Yellow". Additionally, fans are treated to two episodes of "The Sinister Image" featuring Cameron Mitchell, an alternative US opening sequence, and pertinent trailers. Each piece not only enhances understanding but celebrates the film's vivid legacy, making this Blu-ray a compelling must-have.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Tim Lucas provides insights and trivia.
• Psycho Analysis: Documentary on the giallo genre.
• Gender and Giallo: Michael Mackenzie's video essay.
• Blood and Bava: Panel discussion at Courmayeur Film Festival.
• Helene Cattet & Bruno Forzani: Filmmakers' appreciation of Bava's work.
• Yellow (2012): Short neo-noir film.
• The Sinister Image - Part One: TV episode on Cameron Mitchell.
• The Sinister Image - Part Two: Continuation of Cameron Mitchell's discussion.
• U.S. Opening: Alternative credit sequence.
• Trailer: Original Italian trailer for Blood and Black Lace.

Mario Bava’s "Blood and Black Lace" (1964), also known as "Sei donne per l'assassino," is a seminal work in the Giallo genre, setting a benchmark for its flamboyant direction, atmospheric visuals, and the relentless presence of a mysterious masked killer targeting models in a luxurious Italian fashion house. The narrative, centered around elaborate murders and the quest to uncover the killer’s identity through a victim’s diary, is fundamentally simplistic yet filled with stylistic bravura. Bava bathes the film in Technicolor opulence and a neo-gothic sensibility, making each murder as visually sumptuous as it is brutal. The intricate use of lighting and photography lends the film a surreal quality that influenced a generation of filmmakers, particularly in crafting visually arresting thrillers.

Key elements characteristic of the Giallo genre are present in abundance, from the set-piece murders and sinister black gloves to the labyrinthine plot and misogynistic undertones. Bava’s orchestration of these components elevates what could be a straightforward slasher into a hyper-stylized cinematic experience, showcasing excellent work from cinematographer Ubaldo Terzano. Despite being produced on a modest budget, the film’s visuals surpass many later works with significantly larger resources. The chilling soundtrack by Carlo Rustichelli enhances the atmospheric tension, creating an almost palpable sense of dread throughout.

The film offers dual language tracks — English and Italian — with optional English subtitles, noting that the existing English dub differs from the original recordings. Despite the plot revealing the killer's identity before the climax, the engaging narrative and stylistic choices maintain tension until the credits roll. "Blood and Black Lace" is more than just a thriller; it’s a vivid masterclass in atmospheric filmmaking, proving Bava's ingenuity and cementing its place as a foundational piece of Giallo cinema.

Arrow Video's Blu-ray release of Mario Bava's "Blood and Black Lace" showcases a visually arresting 2K restoration that expertly highlights the film's baroque sets, flamboyant Technicolor, and inventive cinematography. This film, foundational to the Giallo genre, marries a whodunit with a body count formula, creating a veritable blueprint for future stalk-and-slash films. The restoration brings vivid new life to the hallucinogenic lighting schemes — redolent with noirish shadows and lurid hues — which set the stage for elaborate murder sequences that remain both tension-filled and grotesquely captivating.

Featuring noteworthy performances, Cameron Mitchell stands out along with Eva Bartok, who balances poise with vulnerability. Carlo Rustichelli’s lush score, transitioning from jazzy interludes to chilling serenades, underpins the macabre atmosphere. Arrow Video adds significant value with their excellent AV quality and well-curated supplemental features, including an illuminating segment with Cameron Mitchell. However, some criticism arises regarding the film's framing choices, proposing that multiple aspect ratios might have accommodated the varied ways it was originally presented during its theatrical run in 1964.

In summation, "Blood and Black Lace" remains a compulsory addition to any Giallo aficionado's collection, particularly in this brilliantly restored edition. Despite critiques on some aspects of presentation and a somewhat dated police procedural subplot, the Arrow Video release provides a gloriously enhanced visual experience and insightful extras that solidify its status as an essential piece of genre cinema history. This reissue not only celebrates Bava's iconic contribution to horror but also preserves its aesthetic and narrative brilliance for contemporary audiences.