Las ratas no duermen de noche Blu-ray Review

The Blu-Ray presentation of "Las ratas no duermen de noche" showcases the film in an AVC encoded image with a 1.67:1 aspect ratio. Mastered from the original 35mm film elements, the resultant video quality is mixed. While there are sporadic moments where the high-definition detail and ghoulish period aesthetics stand out, the overall visual impact suffers from inconsistent processing. Colors appear slightly faded but remain appealing, although occasional artifacting and noisy bursts disrupt the visual experience. Dark scenes, in particular, exhibit poor processing, with blacks breaking down and introducing an unwelcome level of artifacting.

Despite retaining fine film grain, the transfer fails to deliver the sharp clarity expected from a modern Blu-Ray release. The original film's soft focus results in murky details; set design, makeup, and facial features often lack crispness. Compounding this are the erratic color calibrations—the colors shift unpredictably from clean and balanced to overly bright or excessively dark and washed out. These inconsistencies appear integral to the original film elements rather than issues introduced during the HD transfer process. Moreover, the source material showcases numerous defects such as skipped frames, scratches, and speckling. While these shortcomings might dampen the overall viewing experience, it's important to recognize that this is probably the best representation the film has achieved on home video to date.

The audio presentation of "Las ratas no duermen de noche" on Blu Ray is rendered in a 2.0 Dolby Digital mix that, unfortunately, shows its age prominently. The mix is consistently marred by noticeable hiss and pops throughout, which detracts significantly from the listening experience. While these audio artifacts are present in both the English and original French language tracks, the dialogue remains intelligible yet suffers from a distinct lack of clarity. The voices exhibit an artificial, tinny quality, as if recorded separately from the original footage. This results in a somewhat disconnected and inorganic listening experience.

In addition to the issues with dialogue, the overall sound mix does not fare much better. Scoring is excessively loud and intrusive, failing to blend harmoniously with the other elements of the soundtrack. The music's tinny rendition can overpower dialogue and sound effects, disrupting the balance necessary for an immersive experience. Despite the absence of serious audio dropouts, which is a minor positive note, the overall result is an audio mix that functions on a rudimentary level but lacks finesse and precision.

Both language tracks provide a basic listening experience without significant dropouts, but they are far from impressive. The rough edges of age-related degradation and the overly jaunty scoring make it apparent that the Dolby Digital 2.0 mix struggles to elevate "Las ratas no duermen de noche" to new auditory heights on Blu Ray. While serviceable, it ultimately falls short of delivering a polished and refined audio experience deserving of a high-definition release.

The Blu-ray extras for "Las ratas no duermen de noche" offer a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of the film and its contextual background, making it an invaluable addition for enthusiasts and film historians. The audio commentary by Richard Harland Smith stands out for its thorough and insightful dissection of the English version of the film. Smith offers a wealth of information about the production process, key players, and broader historical aspects of the movie, ensuring that listeners gain a deeper understanding of the film's nuances. Notably, the disc is missing a theatrical trailer, which is often a staple in Blu-ray extras.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary by Film Historian Richard Harland Smith: Detailed analysis of the English version, rich in production insights and historical context.

Juan Fortuny's 1973 Eurocult thriller "Crimson," also known as "The Man With The Severed Head," presents a fascinating yet ultimately flawed exploration of genre conventions. The film centers around a botched heist led by Jack Surnett (Paul Naschy), who, after being critically wounded, becomes the subject of a head transplantation experiment conducted by a mad scientist. The premise teems with potential, promising an engaging blend of crime thriller and horror elements. However, the execution falls short. Instead of embracing the outlandishness, Fortuny opts for a slow-moving narrative bogged down by excessive exposition and underworld politics, leaving the audience yearning for more robust and dynamic storytelling.

The film is provided in two distinct cuts on this Blu-ray release: the grittier 89-minute English version and the 98-minute French version that includes incongruent softcore sex scenes. Each version tries to cater to different tastes, yet neither fully succeeds. The English cut maintains a focus on the mad scientist’s operation and its fallout, presenting a leaner but still flawed storyline. Conversely, the French cut’s additional scenes awkwardly oscillate between desired edginess and unintended comedy, complete with jarring edits that hinder continuity. This dichotomy hampers the overall coherence, with neither version fully capitalizing on its gruesome potential nor its promised exploitation thrills.

Overall, while "Crimson" may appeal to aficionados of Eurocult cinema and Paul Naschy's body of work, it struggles to find a consistent tone or deliver the thrills associated with its sensational premise. The film’s inability to seamlessly merge its dual narratives of a monstrous transformation and a crime thriller ultimately results in a disjointed viewing experience. Despite its intriguing setup and moments of aberrant curiosity, "Crimson" is hampered by an inert pace and mismatched ambitions, rendering both cuts underwhelming.

"Las ratas no duermen de noche" on Blu-ray is a niche entry in the realm of Euro cult cinema, presenting a mixed bag that may polarize viewers. The film’s premise holds potential but unfortunately struggles to capitalize on it, with a narrative that feels scattered and lacks the necessary excitement and coherence. Viewers encounter predictable spotlighting on exploitative elements such as nudity and paranoia, yet these fail to invigorate the overall story. Sporadic dance sequences add a disjointed feel, detracting from rather than enhancing the core thrill.

The technical transfer of the Blu-ray further mirrors these inconsistencies. While Kino and Redemption have clearly made an effort to present the best possible version, they are hampered by the quality of the source material. The audio-visual elements range from merely acceptable to problematic, with notable constraints in clarity and vibrancy. However, the included audio commentary stands out as a redeeming feature, providing insightful context that could particularly appeal to avid fans.

In conclusion, "Las ratas no duermen de noche" might be an acquired taste best suited for dedicated consumers of Euro chillers. The film’s fragmented execution and the Blu-ray’s limitations might frustrate general audiences, while niche aficionados might find selective enjoyment in its quirks. Potential viewers should temper expectations accordingly, appreciating the supplementary material more than the main feature.