Boccaccio '70 Blu-ray Review
Score: 47
from 2 reviewers
Review Date:
Boccaccio '70' is a captivating anthology that offers sharp critiques of 1960s Italian sexual mores, featuring stunning stars and direction, but with minimal extras.
Disc Release Date
Video: 53
Kino-Lorber's 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer of *Boccaccio '70* offers a respectable, hands-off presentation marked by occasional specks, mild color fluctuations, and visible grain, yet showcases improved clarity, rich colors, and balanced black levels—despite its non-restored nature and segment-to-segment inconsistency.
Audio: 48
The Italian DTS-HD MA 1.0 track is typical for 1960s Italian cinema: tinny and dynamically flat, yet balanced and clear. The swingy jazz/pop music and dialogue are comprehensible, with minimal hisses or pops. Optional English subtitles in readable white lettering are included.
Extra: 16
The Blu-ray extras for 'Boccaccio '70' feature high-definition stills galleries for each short, a posters gallery, and shots from the American premiere. The package also includes an array of high-definition trailers for the film and related Cinema Italiano releases, though the main theatrical trailer is in standard definition.
Movie: 81
Boccaccio '70' is a captivating anthology showcasing Italy's cinematic titans—Monicelli, Fellini, Visconti, and De Sica—who each dissect 1960s Italian sexual mores through a blend of humor, social critique, and poignant drama. The Blu-ray offers stellar visual and auditory presentations, reinforcing the film's timeless allure.
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Video: 53
The Blu-ray presentation of "Boccaccio '70" is brought to life with a 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer, adhering to the 1.85:1 aspect ratio. While not fully restored, the transfer maintains a natural appearance without digital noise reduction, edge enhancement, or other digital modifications. Some visible print debris and a moderate to light layer of grain add to its authentic feel, although the non-anamorphic lenses and grainy film stock occasionally hinder sharpness. Despite these minor shortcomings, overall clarity and detail are commendable, revealing a textured and nuanced image.
Color fidelity is generally robust, with rich primary hues and satisfying vibrancy, although mild fluctuations are present, primarily in the first segment. Black levels remain consistent and well-balanced, though some scenes exhibit slight elevation. The contrast is mostly stable but fluctuates in certain sequences, occasionally appearing blown out. These inconsistencies ease as the film progresses, with the final segments displaying substantial clarity and improved quality. The film’s nearly three-and-a-half-hour runtime fits comfortably on a dual-layer 50 GB disc without noticeable compression artifacts.
In conclusion, though the presentation could benefit from a full frame-by-frame restoration to eliminate specks and stabilize colors throughout, "Boccaccio '70" stands out significantly better on Blu-ray than previous DVD releases. Its genuine and unmanipulated transfer makes it a visually pleasing experience for its audience, retaining much of its original charm and cinematic integrity.
Audio: 48
The audio presentation of the "Boccaccio '70" Blu-Ray is anchored by an Italian DTS-HD Master Audio mono track that is characteristic of early 1960s Italian cinema. The mix offers a somewhat tinny and dynamically flat sound profile, yet it maintains an acceptable level of clarity and balance. Swingy jazz and pop music are adequately represented, providing a decent auditory backdrop. Dialogue is consistently balanced and comprehensible, despite occasional muddiness in vocal dubbing. Notably, hisses, pops, and crackles are minimized, contributing to an overall clean listening experience.
While the track contends with natural limitations and lacks the dynamic range or bass presence found in modern audio mixes, it succeeds in delivering its content respectfully. Fidelity is fairly flat throughout, but effects and music manage to come through the mono channel cleanly. Optional English subtitles are provided, appearing in clear, white lettering that enhances accessibility without distracting from the viewing experience.
In summation, the audio of "Boccaccio '70" isn't particularly impressive but it fulfills its role effectively. Despite its unremarkable nature and inherent limitations, the mix provides a balanced and faithful representation of the film’s original audio elements.
Extras: 16
The extras for the Blu-ray of "Boccaccio '70" offer a comprehensive and engaging deep dive into the film's rich history and legacy. Highlights include high-definition still galleries that showcase each of the four shorts, posters, and the American premiere of the film, although the image quality is somewhat mixed. The trailers package is particularly impressive, featuring high-definition previews for "Boccaccio '70" and other classics like "Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow", "Sunflower", and "Marriage Italian Style". Additionally, a standard-definition theatrical trailer is available, presenting an authentic vintage experience with Dolby Digital 1.0 sound. Lastly, trailers for other Kino Lorber releases are included, providing insights into the distributor's catalog.
Extras included in this disc:
- Stills Galleries: Includes separate galleries for each of the four shorts, plus posters and shots from the film's American premiere.
- Trailers: Includes original "Boccaccio '70" trailer, and trailers for other classic films.
- Theatrical Trailer: The film's trailer in standard definition with Dolby Digital 1.0 sound.
- Also Available from Lorber Films: Trailers for other Kino Lorber releases.
Movie: 81
"Boccaccio '70," directed by Italian cinema giants Mario Monicelli, Federico Fellini, Luchino Visconti, and Vittorio De Sica, is a memorable anthology film. Each segment presents a distinct perspective on 1960s Italian societal norms, particularly focusing on sexuality and morality. The anthology unfolds layers of both humor and critical observations, with standout performances and visually engaging storytelling.
Mario Monicelli's "Renzo e Luciana" introduces us to newlyweds struggling to keep their marriage a secret from a tyrannical boss. The segment humorously yet poignantly captures the pressures faced by young couples—financial strains, sexual frustration, and omnipresent authority figures. Germano Gilioli and Marisa Solinas portray their characters’ youthful love and naiveté with delicate sincerity, amidst an atmosphere of continuous interference.
Federico Fellini’s "Le tentazioni del dottor Antonio" is the anthology's highlight, critiquing censorship and sexual repression through surreal comedy. Peppino De Filippo plays Dr. Antonio Mazzuolo, whose prudish campaign against a provocative billboard spirals into hilarious madness. Anita Ekberg’s exaggeratedly sensual portrayal both entices and terrorizes Mazzuolo, symbolizing the absurdity of his sanctimonious crusade.
Luchino Visconti’s "Il lavoro" stands out for its dramatic depth. Romy Schneider excels as an aristocratic wife confronting her philandering husband amidst a scandal. Intricately shot and paced, the segment examines the hollow facade of wealth and the complex dynamics of attraction and love, culminating in a deeply emotional finale.
The closing segment by Vittorio De Sica, "La riffa," depicts Sophia Loren as Zoe, the centerpiece of a carnival’s controversial raffle. What begins as a humorous study of male desire evolves into a nuanced portrayal of a woman challenging her objectification. Loren’s performance balances allure and vulnerability, offering a fittingly engaging conclusion to this anthology.
"Boccaccio '70" masterfully intertwines humor, critique, and sensuality, presenting an unmissable cinematic experience that reflects the cultural zeitgeist of 1960s Italy.
Total: 47
"Boccaccio '70" is a distinctive anthology film directed by renowned Italian filmmakers such as Federico Fellini, Luchino Visconti, Mario Monicelli, and Vittorio De Sica. This rich collection of four short films critiques Italy's sexual mores in the 1960s with a clever and engaging approach. The film boasts an impressive cast, featuring some of the most iconic and beautiful actresses of the era, which adds an irresistible allure to the viewing experience. Each segment bears the unique stylistic imprint of its director, resulting in a diverse yet cohesive cinematic tapestry.
Visually, the Blu-ray transfer remains respectful to the original charm of the 1962 masterpieces. Although the video and audio quality show minor signs of aging, they are competently managed to provide a satisfactory visual and auditory experience. The restoration work does an admirable job in preserving the film's vibrant colors and intricate details, capturing the essence of 1960s Italian cinema.
That said, the Blu-ray release is somewhat lacking in supplemental materials. Fans of additional content might be disappointed by the near absence of special features, which include only the essentials. This can be a slight drawback for those seeking comprehensive insights or extras to enhance their appreciation of the film.
In conclusion, "Boccaccio '70" stands out as an anthology that successfully amalgamates varied directorial visions into a unified critique of societal themes. While the bonus content is sparse, the film itself remains an essential piece for aficionados of Italian cinema. With its combination of star power and directorial expertise, this collection is undeniably worth watching. Highly recommended for its cinematic value and historical significance.
Blu-ray.com review by Casey BroadwaterRead review here
Video: 80
Sure, the film could certainly look better with a full, frame-by-frame restoration, but the sad fact is that not every film can get that kind of premiere treatment....
Audio: 70
The mix is slightly tinny and dynamically flat, but the swingy jazz/pop music sounds decent and dialogue, if not always clean, is at least balanced volume-wise and comprehensible....
Extras: 20
Stills Galleries: Includes separate galleries for each of the four shorts, plus a posters gallery and one with shots from the film's American premiere....
Movie: 90
In his famously bawdy collection of 100 tales, The Decameron, humanist author Giovanni Boccaccio cast a critical eye on 14th century Italian culture, mocking religious hypocrisy in the wake of the Black...
Total: 80
Anthology films by multiple directors are usually hit-or-miss�or else they just don't work at all�but each of the four short films in Boccaccio '70 has something to offer, and together they make up a winning,...
High-Def DigestRead review here
Video: 60
A moderate to light layer of grain is present, but the first act in particular has a somewhat harsh look that lacks a rich, textured quality....
Audio: 60
Like many mono tracks of this time period, the audio here isn't very impressive but still presents the content respectfully....
Extras: 0
Stills Galleries (HD) - Separate, fairly low quality slideshow galleries are presented in 1080p for each act, as well as posters, and the American premiere of the film....
Movie: 80
While arguably the weakest of the inclusions here, it's still a solid effort from Monicelli and is more in line with classic romantic comedy sensibilities....
Total: 60
Through a witty and intelligent examination of sex, relationships, and passion, each filmmaker brings their own distinct style and vision to the screen....
Director: Vittorio De Sica, Federico Fellini, Mario Monicelli
Actors: Anita Ekberg, Sophia Loren, Romy Schneider
PlotThe film is an anthology comprised of four distinct segments, each inspired by the works of Giovanni Boccaccio and set in modern-day Italy. The first story centers on a lecherous man who is haunted by the image of a glamorous billboard model, making his mundane life increasingly surreal. This tale explores themes of desire and the intrusive nature of advertising on personal fantasies, blending reality with fantasy as the protagonist struggles with his obsession.
In the next story, a priest campaigns against a carnival booth featuring a voluptuous woman, claiming it promotes immorality. However, the attempt to shut it down leads to unexpected consequences, revealing the hypocrisy and hidden desires within the seemingly pious community. The third segment dives into the life of a married woman who discovers her husband has been frequenting brothels. To teach him a lesson, she decides to set up her own business, learning surprising truths about herself and society in the process. The final episode focuses on a successful and elegant woman who manipulates male admirers into bidding for her company, challenging societal norms and expectations about femininity and power.
Writers: Giovanni Arpino, Suso Cecchi D'Amico, Italo Calvino
Release Date: 26 Jun 1962
Runtime: 205 min
Rating: Unrated
Country: Italy, France
Language: Italian, German