Cold Eyes of Fear Blu-ray Review

Kino Lorber's Blu-ray release of "Cold Eyes of Fear" presents the film with a 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer that retains a raw, grindhouse aesthetic, inherent to its mid-rate giallo roots. Although the transfer hasn't undergone significant digital restoration, this adds a certain gritty charm to the overall vibe. The picture is blemished with minor white and black specks, vertical scratches, and occasional hairs in the film gate. However, natural film grain remains untouched by digital noise reduction, with no signs of edge enhancement or compression issues.

Shot by Antonio L. Ballestreros, noted for his work on Sergio Leone's "The Colossus of Rhodes," "Cold Eyes of Fear" achieves a visually striking presentation with a noticeable upgrade to Blu-ray from older DVD versions. The cinematography employs an unstylized, almost documentarian approach, particularly in nocturnal London street scenes filmed with existing light. Despite mostly indoor and nighttime settings, the color saturation is handled well, and black levels maintain strong shadow detail without infringing highlights.

Although the transfer contains sporadic white specks and an aging 35mm yellowish tint that affects contrast slightly, these imperfections are nominal and not overly distracting. Black levels are deep and rich, crucial for the film’s darker scenes. Colors are cleanly rendered, with primary colors benefiting significantly from the high-definition transfer. Fine details are sharply defined, maintaining admirable clarity of both background and close-up shots. Thus, despite its imperfections, which contribute to its nostalgic charm, this Blu-ray release stands out as one of the better-looking entries from Kino/Redemption.

The audio presentation of "Cold Eyes of Fear" on Blu Ray, provided by Kino, utilizes an uncompressed Linear PCM 2.0 track, which preserves the film's original English dub. The audio undeniably reflects its age, with persistent but subtle crackles, hisses, and splice pops. Despite these artifacts, they rarely disrupt the viewing experience. Dialogue clarity is well-maintained, which is crucial given the film's dialogue-heavy nature and the absence of subtitle options. The minimal effects within the mix are adequately presented, complementing the film's low-key ambiance effectively.

However, the uncompressed PCM mono track does exhibit some significant drawbacks. Volume levels fluctuate considerably, requiring frequent adjustments and leading to a somewhat frustrating listening experience. While dialogue reproduction usually remains clear and centered, it occasionally suffers from fluctuating mid-range clarity and sporadic high-end clipping. These inconsistencies can cause conversations to be difficult to hear at times, detracting from the overall immersion.

Ennio Morricone's dynamic jazz score stands out as the highlight of this audio presentation. The mix skillfully captures its guitar squalls, upright bass thwacks, muted trumpet blasts, and funky drumming, providing a robust and weighty low-end that enhances the musical experience. Despite the age-related artifacts and volume fluctuations present in the track, the score retains its vibrancy and depth, offering a pleasing auditory aspect amidst other shortcomings.

The extras included in the Blu Ray edition of "Cold Eyes of Fear" are somewhat limited but provide an interesting glimpse into the film's presentation history and related content. The main feature is the original U.S. release trailer, marketed under the title "Desperate Moments," which inaccurately suggests a more action-packed experience than the film actually delivers. In addition, viewers get a solid selection of trailers from Redemption Films, which include titles such as "Hatchet for the Honeymoon," "Black Magic Rites," "The Asphyx," "The Comeback," and "Night of the Hunted." While no extensive behind-the-scenes content or cast interviews are included, the trailers offer a nostalgic dive into the era's marketing approach and genre themes.

Extras included in this disc:

Trailer: This trailer for the film's U.S. release, marketing the film as "Desperate Moments," erroneously implies more action.

From Redemption: Includes trailers for "Hatchet for the Honeymoon," "Black Magic Rites," "The Asphyx," "The Comeback," and "Night of the Hunted."

Enzo G. Castellari's 1971 film "Cold Eyes of Fear" is a curious blend of giallo-infused crime thriller and home invasion drama that struggles with pacing and narrative focus. Despite being directed by one of Italy's celebrated genre filmmakers, whose work later inspired icons like Quentin Tarantino, this film marks a less impressive entry into Castellari's oeuvre. The opening scene is strikingly sensual and misleadingly tense, featuring a seemingly perilous role-play between a man with a switchblade and a lingerie-clad woman. However, this initial hook quickly unravels into a slower, more dialogue-heavy narrative, eschewing the genre's usual kinetic energy and psychological edge.

The plot centers on lawyer Peter Flower (Gianni Garko) and his companion Anna (Giovanna Ralli), who are taken hostage in Peter's uncle's mansion by two criminals, Quill (Julián Mateos) and Arthur Welt (Frank Wolff). The thieves' intricate motives and internal conflicts provide some interest but are stretched out too long, leading to periods of tedium. Cinematographer Antonio L. Ballestreros’ use of natural lighting during Peter and Anna’s West End escapades offers moments of visual flair, but these are scattered within an overall mundane middle act.

Castellari attempts to inject life into the sluggish narrative with erratic elements such as hallucination sequences and nonsensical side plots. The villains, particularly Wolff's Welt, bring some life to the proceedings with their simmering psychosis and interpersonal tensions, yet these sporadic bursts of engagement fail to sustain momentum. Composer Ennio Morricone's jazzy score is a standout element, mismatching the film's lethargy with energetic dissonance that hints at the filmmaker’s unfulfilled potential. While "Cold Eyes of Fear" exhibits some stylistic promise and decent performances, it remains bogged down by its protracted exposition and lackluster thrills, making it a lesser entry in Castellari's filmography.

"Cold Eyes of Fear," a film by Enzo G. Castellari, presents itself with a giallo-esque title, plot, and style but diverges significantly from the hallmark elements of the genre. While it carries the visual flair and atmospheric tension typical of giallo, it falls short on pace and intensity, being notably more talkative and less violent. This home-invasion crime thriller incorporates an exceptional score by Ennio Morricone, contributing an auditory brilliance that somewhat compensates for its narrative shortcomings. However, the odd moments of bizarre occurrences, such as an inexplicable character in a kimono, fail to elevate the film to a must-see status.

The Kino Lorber Blu-ray release marks a substantial visual improvement over previous DVD versions, offering clearer image quality that enhances the film's stylistic appeal. Nonetheless, the print retains its inherent grubbiness characteristic of low-budget Italian filmmaking from the era. Unfortunately, while the video transfer is commendable, the audio presentation leaves much to be desired, lacking the immersive sound quality that contemporary viewers might expect.

In conclusion, "Cold Eyes of Fear" is best appreciated by enthusiasts of Enzo G. Castellari or those with a dedicated interest in niche Italian cinema. Despite its stylish direction and memorable music score, the film's slow narrative and lack of engaging content make it a challenging recommendation for a broader audience.