The Killer Nun Blu-ray Review

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1 and encoded with MPEG-4 AVC, "Killer Nun" boasts a solid 1080p transfer courtesy of Blue Underground. Despite some light scanner noise, which is inherent in the source material, the presentation achieves commendable clarity and detail, especially when compared to previous DVD releases. The colors are effectively stabilized and vibrant, with no visible post-production sharpening, banding, or artifacting to detract from the viewing experience. Though select scenes do exhibit some background definition issues due to the noise, these moments are minimal and hardly distracting.

The transfer manages to strike a balance between preserving the film's vintage aesthetic and maximizing its visual potential. While there are occasional fluctuations in chroma saturation and minor degradation in a few scenes, these blemishes are overshadowed by the overall stable and robust picture quality. The contrast and brightness levels are well-calibrated, ensuring accurate black levels and pleasing shadow details. The texture and resolution are sufficiently distinct, capturing fine details on clothing and actors' faces, which is exceptional for a film that's over three decades old.

In summary, Blue Underground's dedication to restoring and remastering "Killer Nun" from its original negatives results in a high-definition transfer that, despite its minor flaws, offers an engaging and visually satisfying experience. The technical execution provides a rejuvenated appeal that brings new life to this classic nunsploitation film.

The Blu-ray release of "The Killer Nun" includes two audio tracks: Italian DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 and English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. These lossless tracks come with optional subtitles in English, English SDH, French, and Spanish. The inclusion of the Italian audio track, missing from the previous DVD release, is a notable enhancement. Overall, this release showcases significantly cleaned-up and remastered audio elements. Some background hiss has been removed, enhancing clarity and improving dynamic levels. Dialogue in both versions is clear and easy to follow.

Despite these improvements, the audio is not without its inherited limitations. The original mono design displays occasional damage, especially noticeable during abrupt shifts between the English dub and the Italian language. The dynamic amplitude remains limited. The high frequencies in the dialogue are clean without distortion but tend towards narrowness and brightness in upper frequencies during specific sequences like thunderstorms. Additionally, while the score does open up the soundstage to an extent, the low bass is notably weak. Nonetheless, this DTS-HD Master Audio mix remains adequate and ultimately satisfying for most listeners.

The Blu-ray extras for "The Killer Nun" provide a fascinating and well-compiled set of supplementary materials. Highlighted by an informative interview segment with co-writer and director Giulio Berruti, where he elaborates on the real-life events that inspired the film, the production process, cast dynamics, and the controversial reception in Italy. This array of extras enriches the viewer’s understanding of the film's context and artistic journey. Each segment is well-presented, with adequate translations for non-English parts, ensuring accessibility. The visually engaging gallery and original trailer further round out the package.

Extras included in this disc:

• Interview: Co-writer/director Giulio Berruti discusses the film’s origins, production, cast, and controversies.
• Trailer: Original theatrical trailer.
• Poster & Still Gallery: Collection of posters, lobby cards, publicity stills, pressbook articles, ads, and VHS covers.

The overall presentation of these extras aids in appreciating the film's historical and cultural backdrop, making it a valuable addition for collectors and enthusiasts alike.

Giulio Berruti’s "Killer Nun" (1979) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Blue Underground, presenting a compelling entry into the nunsploitation genre. This subgenre, typically known for its sleazy undertones, is approached here with a darker, more dramatic angle. The narrative revolves around Sister Gertrude, portrayed by Swedish actress Anita Ekberg, who is recovering from neurosurgery. Plagued by chronic migraines and a resulting morphine addiction, Sister Gertrude’s descent into psychosis is vividly depicted as she becomes increasingly violent and erratic. Her condition worsens, leading her to commit heinous acts within the confines of a geriatric hospital, ultimately replacing her old personality with an aggressive new one. The plot thickens as a young doctor begins to unravel the grim events unfolding within the institution.

The film stands out from its counterparts by incorporating murder-mystery elements akin to the giallo genre, while simultaneously interweaving contemporary issues into its narrative fabric. While Berruti includes requisite elements of eroticism and nudity to appeal to broader audiences, these are secondary to the psychological unraveling of Sister Gertrude. Notable actors including Alida Valli, Massimo Serato, and Joe Dallesandro contribute memorable performances that lend a certain respectability to this low-budget horror drama. Cinematographer Antonio Maccoppi’s work shines in pockets of visual brilliance; a particularly poignant scene shows Gertrude kneeling in prayer before injecting herself.

"Killer Nun" manages to balance its thematic depth and mysterious intrigue amid the subversive expectations of nunsploitation. However, despite its stronger narrative focus and Ekberg’s potent portrayal of a nun on the edge, the film does falter with some filler elements that detract from its murder-mystery thrust. Nevertheless, the film remains an enticing watch for those interested in a darker, more complex story within this unique niche of cinema.

Giulio Berruti's Killer Nun is an intriguing entry into the Italian genre landscape of the 1970s, deviating from traditional nunsploitation tropes to deliver a narrative with a serious undertone. Starring the iconic Anita Ekberg, the film explores the mental decline of a nun in a convalescent home, intertwining themes of psychological horror and murder mystery. While it may not stand out as the most unforgettable exploitation film, it nevertheless offers a novel take that enriches the subgenre.

The Blu-ray release by Blue Underground showcases a commendable audio and video transfer, ensuring that the film's grim aesthetic and Ekberg's compelling performance are preserved with minimal issues. This presentation is accompanied by a familiar set of supplements from previous DVD editions, which might be a slight drawback for viewers seeking new bonus content. However, cult cinema enthusiasts will find value in owning this piece of 70s European genre filmmaking.

In conclusion, Killer Nun is recommended not for its shock value, but for its ability to surprise with depth and narrative innovation beneath the lurid veneer expected from its title. Fans of Italian cinema from this era will appreciate Blue Underground’s efforts in bringing such films to Blu-ray, and hope for more releases of similarly underrepresented European genre classics.