Loaded Guns Blu-ray Review

"Loaded Guns" on Blu-ray, presented by Raro Video, exhibits a video transfer in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio and encoded with MPEG-4 AVC at 1080p resolution. While the restoration improves image stability and gives the film a healthy look overall, the color grading changes are notable and somewhat controversial. The film's primary blues have been replaced with variations of brown and teal, inadvertently altering the summer ambiance of Naples to resemble autumns seen in Frankfurt. Additionally, the shift from primary reds to brownish tones impacts the visual experience significantly.

The recalibration of colors affects the gamma settings, often a consequence of destabilizing a film's native color scheme. This results in darker scenes appearing soft and flat, creating an unintended filtered effect even though no filters are applied. Despite these drawbacks, areas lacking in blue and red tones manage to achieve a somewhat decent color balance, yet the overall temperature remains unsatisfactory. On a positive note, the image stability achieved in this release is impressive.

A significant advantage of this Blu-ray release is its region-free functionality, allowing it to be played worldwide, which is a commendable feature for global fans of "Loaded Guns". The restoration brings stability but at the cost of the film’s authentic color palette, raising concerns over the artistic integrity in color regrading practices.

The Blu-ray release of "Loaded Guns" offers two primary audio tracks: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 and Italian DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, with appropriate subtitling options for audience clarity. Each track reflects a distinct heritage of dubbed performances typical of the film's production era. The English track particularly stands out for its pervasive overdubbing, which, while not seamlessly integrated, retains some authenticity as several actors originally delivered their lines in English. This inconsistency in dubbing and dynamic intensity, however, might distract audiophiles seeking more robust sound quality.

Similarly, the Italian audio track does not significantly enhance the performance, exhibiting comparable qualities to its English counterpart. Both tracks maintain the simplicity of the 2.0 mono format, which may leave a little to be desired in terms of surround sound experience. Despite this, the Italian default setting ensures efficient subtitles, aiding viewers who choose to experience the authenticity of the film's original language.

While the audio presentation in "Loaded Guns" Blu-ray release effectively serves its primary function, providing a straightforward listening experience, it falls short of offering a truly immersive audio environment. The release ensures preservation of original film qualities, yet modern viewers might notice a lack of dynamic range and richness expected from contemporary high-definition audio standards. Overall, the faithful reproduction of both English and Italian tracks provides a raw and authentic nod to the film’s unique production complexities, ensuring that viewers can engage with the film as close to its source material as possible.

The Blu Ray of "Loaded Guns" offers a robust collection of extras that delve into the creative process and legacy of the film. In "Fernando Di Leo: Parody of a Genre," viewers gain insightful perspectives from key production figures such as producer Armando Novelli and assistant director Luca Damiano, alongside others, as they explore the conception and stylistic nuances of the film. This feature is enriched with clips from an archival interview with director Fernando Di Leo himself, providing a rare look into his vision. Additionally, an engaging audio commentary by critic Rachel Nisbet offers fresh analysis and context, re-evaluating the film's themes and execution. The variety and depth of these extras collectively elevate this release, making it a valuable resource for cinephiles and collectors alike.

Extras included in this disc:

• Fernando Di Leo: Parody of a Genre: Insights from production members and archival interview with Fernando Di Leo.
• Commentary: Exclusive audio commentary by critic Rachel Nisbet.

Fernando Di Leo’s "Loaded Guns" (1975) delivers a uniquely atypical entry into the poliziotteschi genre. Known primarily for intense crime dramas like "Caliber 9" and "The Boss," Di Leo deviates from this tradition to create a film that self-consciously parodies its crime roots. Primarily set in Naples, the narrative follows Ursula Andress as a seductive stewardess who inadvertently becomes embroiled in a gang war. The film consciously utilizes her allure to drive home its satirical tone, pushing the boundaries of the genre’s established norms. Di Leo’s choice to parody instead of adhere to traditional crime elements reflects an insightful commentary on the growing pressures and criticisms the poliziotteschi genre faced in Italy during the 70s, notably for its frenetic violence and political implications.

Notably, despite its satirical intent and energetic presentation, "Loaded Guns" struggles to effectively balance comedy with crime elements. While the brighter cinematic presentation—heightened by Roberto Gerardi’s seasoned cinematography—aims for levity, it underdelivers compared to Di Leo’s previous stylistic efforts. Inserted comedic elements emulate Confessions-style slapstick, akin to Franco and Ciccio films, contributing to a tonal dissonance that detracts from the film’s cohesion. Furthermore, despite providing frequent visual allure through Andress's character, the film does not successfully harness its potential for engaging satire.

In essence, "Loaded Guns" stands as both a reflection of its time and an experimental divergence from its creator’s canon. It grapples with its identity between parody and homage. Despite its flaws in execution as a comedy-crime hybrid, the film remains a curious artifact that highlights Di Leo’s audacious attempt to innovate within the stifled structure of poliziotteschi cinema.

The Blu-ray release of "Loaded Guns" by Raro Video, while attempting to honor Fernando Di Leo's unique exploration of satire within the poliziotteschi genre, falls short of delivering an exceptional restoration. The film, noted for its blend of humor and commentary on 1970s Italian film distribution changes, offers a distinctive take that may escape some viewers, particularly those solely drawn by the allure of Ursula Andress. Unfortunately, the technical execution in this Blu-ray edition lacks the sophistication expected, with the restoration not meeting high-quality standards, detracting from the film's original charm and impact. Potential buyers might consider waiting for a price drop before adding this edition to their collection.

Critically, the supplementary content provides insightful context and depth to Di Leo's work. The audio commentary by film historian Rachael Nisbet stands out as a meticulously researched exploration, enriching the viewer's understanding of both the film and its cultural backdrop. Additionally, an archival featurette titled "Fernando di Leo: Parody of a Genre" is included, featuring valuable interviews with Di Leo and his contemporaries. However, the decision to stretch this originally 4:3 content to fit a 16:9 aspect ratio is a significant oversight that compromises the presentation's integrity and detracts from the viewing experience.

In conclusion, while "Loaded Guns" offers a unique glimpse into Fernando Di Leo's satirical narrative style, this Blu-ray edition does not fully capitalize on its potential due to inadequate restoration efforts and certain presentational flaws. Despite these shortcomings, the comprehensive extras provide substantial value for fans and scholars interested in Italian cinema. Therefore, individuals invested in expanding their cinematic knowledge might find this release worth considering, albeit at a reduced cost.