All the Colors of the Dark Blu-ray Review
Tutti i colori del buio
Score: 72
from 2 reviewers
Review Date:
Severin's Blu-ray release of 'All the Colors of the Dark' features a superior 4K remaster with excellent color grading and valuable supplements, making it essential for fans.
Disc Release Date
DTS-HD MA
Video: 70
The Blu-ray of "All the Colors of the Dark," presented in 1080p with an MPEG-4 AVC encode and a 2.35:1 aspect ratio, benefits from a recent 4K remaster that improves color grading and dynamic range but suffers from framing issues and reduced sharpness compared to previous releases.
Audio: 73
The Blu-ray of 'All the Colors of the Dark' offers English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 and Italian DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 tracks with optional English subtitles. While audio retains some flatness and sporadic unevenness typical of studio dubs, background hiss is minimal and dialogue is mostly clear, although the Italian track is slightly looser in sync.
Extra: 76
Extras on 'All the Colors of the Dark' Blu-ray include an alternate U.S. cut, insightful interviews exploring the film's conception and themes by Sergio Martino and Ernesto Gastaldi, actor George Hilton’s career reflections, vintage trailers, Kat Ellinger’s audio commentary, and a CD with Bruno Nicolai's complete soundtrack.
Movie: 71
Sergio Martino's 'All the Colors of the Dark' (1972) on Blu-ray from Severin Films is a noteworthy experimental giallo praised for its unconventional narrative, striking performances, and atmospheric score by Bruno Nicolai. The film's blend of psychological horror and surrealism offers a unique experience, though its unconventional approach may polarize viewers.
Video: 70
Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.35:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC, and boasting a 1080p transfer, Severin Films' Blu-ray release of Sergio Martino's "All the Colors of the Dark" is based on a recent 4K remaster. This new remaster provides significant improvements, particularly in color grading, compared to the 2017 Region-B release from Shameless Screen Entertainment. The enhanced color grading profoundly amplifies the dynamic range, revealing nuances in darker areas that were previously obscured.
However, there are notable issues, particularly with framing and sharpness. The new remaster exhibits minor but noticeable shifts in framing that affect the visual balance, such as missing information at the top of panoramic shots. Additionally, the image appears softer compared to previous transfers, potentially indicating some loss of native sharpness. Despite these drawbacks, the remaster benefits from improved overall fluidity and a complete lack of stability issues or age-related imperfections.
In summary, while the new 4K remaster introduces improvements in color dynamics and overall fluidity, it also brings some concerns regarding framing accuracy and image sharpness. Nonetheless, for those prioritizing color depth and stability, this Blu-ray release from Severin Films is a commendable upgrade. Note that this is a Region-A locked Blu-ray release, necessitating a native Region-A or Region-Free player to view its content.
Audio: 73
The Blu-ray release of "All the Colors of the Dark" offers two standard audio tracks: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 and Italian DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, along with optional English and English SDH subtitles that are neatly contained within the image frame. The English audio track demonstrates a marked improvement over its Region-B counterpart, largely due to the significant reduction of background hiss and a more refined sound profile. While minor remnants of noise are apparent in certain sequences, these are likely inherent to the original magnetic tracks or associated audio elements.
Both the English and Italian 2.0 DTS-HD tracks, while lacking substantial sonic depth and occasionally favoring the left speaker, deliver predominantly clear dialogue and a balanced auditory experience for the score and sound effects. The dialogue sync on the English track is consistently accurate, though the Italian track exhibits a slightly looser synchronization. Despite the presence of some hiss across both audio tracks, they are devoid of any major dropouts or distortions, ensuring a stable listening experience throughout. Overall, while there is room for further digital enhancement, the audio quality provided is commendably superior.
Extras: 76
The Blu-ray release of "All the Colors of the Dark" provides an exceptional array of extras, offering both deep dives into the film's production and valuable context within the genre. Notably, the interviews with director Sergio Martino and screenwriter Ernesto Gastaldi provide insightful commentary on the film's conception, visual style, and thematic evolution. Additionally, George Hilton's interview delivers a captivating account of his acting career and his role in the film. The audio commentary by Kat Ellinger further enriches the viewing experience with expert analysis. The inclusion of vintage trailers and an alternate U.S. cut enhances the package, while the bonus CD featuring Bruno Nicolai's soundtrack is a delightful addition for fans of film scores.
Extras included in this disc:
- They're Coming to Get You: U.S. cut of the film.
- Color My Nightmare: Director Sergio Martino discusses the film's conception and visual style.
- Last of the Mohiocans: Screenwriter Ernesto Gastaldi on his relationship with the Martino brothers and script insights.
- Giallo is the Color: George Hilton on his acting career and contribution to the film.
- Trailers: Three vintage trailers.
- Audio Commentary: By Kat Ellinger.
- Soundtrack: Bonus CD with Bruno Nicolai's original soundtrack.
Movie: 71
Sergio Martino's "All the Colors of the Dark" (1972) stands out as a bold experiment within the giallo genre, eschewing conventional crime thriller structures in favor of a psychological journey reminiscent of Jean Rollin’s Gothic horror explorations. Featuring a compelling performance from Edwige Fenech as Jane Harrison, the film delves into her post-miscarriage angst and subsequent entanglement with a sinister occult sect. The narrative, marked by enigmatic encounters and a blurred line between reality and nightmare, upends typical genre tropes, creating an atmosphere that defies easy categorization.
The film's strength lies in its sustained tension and atmospheric build-up, significantly enhanced by Bruno Nicolai's exceptional score. Nicolai’s compositions are integral to the narrative, providing an eerie undercurrent that amplifies Jane’s descent into paranoia and madness. The acting is generally strong, although some portrayals occasionally dip into overstatement, particularly in scenes intended to heighten the sense of paranoia. The sound design, with its strategic use of silence and ambient noise, adds an unsettling layer to the viewing experience.
For aficionados of Martino’s work and Italian genre cinema, "All the Colors of the Dark" offers a unique blend of psychological horror and surrealistic narrative twists. It invites comparisons to Adrian Lyne's "Jacob's Ladder" in its manipulation of reality and hallucinatory sequences, yet maintains a distinct identity through its audacious thematic choices and visual style. As a crucial note, newcomers to the film are advised to avoid vintage trailers that reveal key plot points, thus preserving the full impact of this captivating cinematic experience.
Total: 72
Severin's recent Blu-ray release of Sergio Martino's "All the Colors of the Dark" marks a significant upgrade in both quality and accessibility for this Italian horror classic. Sourced from a 4K remaster, the visual presentation offers a major improvement over older releases, particularly in its superior color grading which enhances the film’s dynamic range substantially. While some purists may take issue with certain elements of the framing, the overall image quality is healthy and pleasing to most viewers. The package is further bolstered by an array of worthwhile supplemental features, including the original soundtrack by Bruno Nicolai on a separate CD—a notable addition for aficionados of film scores.
This release is especially valuable for fans who have struggled to find good copies of "All the Colors of the Dark". Severin's edition stands out as the definitive version available, offering a viewing experience that surpasses previous editions. While the film's offbeat nature may not appeal to everyone, it provides an intriguing divergence from standard giallo fare that could be very rewarding for genre enthusiasts. The supplemental features offer deeper insights and enrich an already heightened viewing experience.
Severin's release of "All the Colors of the Dark" presents the strongest argument yet for revisiting this lesser-seen gem. Although it has its imperfections, particularly in terms of framing, these are overshadowed by the otherwise excellent presentation and value-added features. The improved visual quality and dynamic soundtrack make this package a must-have for serious collectors and fans of Italian horror alike. Overall, Severin’s efforts receive a solid recommendation, contributing meaningfully to the preservation and appreciation of this unique cinematic work. RECOMMENDED.
Blu-ray.com review by Dr. Svet AtanasovRead review here
Video: 70
The effect isn't quite as obvious as the one that is present on Arrow Video's presentation of Blood and Black Lace where there is improper zooming within the 1.66:1 frame, but while viewing the film I...
Audio: 90
(Some extremely light noise remains in a couple of sequences, which leads me to believe that it is on the original magnetic tracks/other audio elements that might have been used)....
Extras: 80
Last of the Mohiocans - in this video interview, screenwriter Ernesto Gastaldi discusses in great detail his relationship with the Martino brothers (Sergio and Luciano) and comments on the type of directing...
Movie: 80
(This is probably the right time to mention that Adrian Lyne's great psychological thriller Jacob's Ladder does a whole range of the same things that this film does in the first act, but eventually re-embraces...
Total: 70
If I had to pick a release, I would go for Severin's release because the superior color grading actually helps the film's dynamic range quite a lot, and this makes a positive difference throughout the...
The Digital Bits review by Tim SalmonsRead review here
Video: 90
Audio: 75
Both tracks lack major sonic punch and sometimes tend to favor the left speaker, but offer mostly clear dialogue exchanges and decent heft for score and sound effects....
Extras: 80
Movie: 70
Sergio Martino’s career is well-established with a who’s who of celebrated Italian genre films including Torso, The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh, The Case of the Scorpion’s Tail, Your Vice Is a Locked Room...
Total: 79
Severin’s Blu-ray package for the film is certainly the best way to experience it, no matter which side of the fence you’re on....
Director: Sergio Martino
Actors: George Hilton, Edwige Fenech, Ivan Rassimov
PlotJane Harrison is a young woman traumatized by the violent murder of her mother during her childhood and a recent car accident that resulted in a miscarriage. Struggling with vivid nightmares and psychological distress, Jane finds little comfort in her conventional therapy sessions or in the reassurances from her boyfriend, Richard, and her sister, Barbara. Her condition worsens, leading her to seek alternative forms of help. A new neighbor, Mary, suggests that Jane join a secretive black magic cult, which promises her peace through dark and unorthodox rituals.
As Jane becomes entwined in the cult's sinister practices, she finds herself constantly haunted by visions of a blue-eyed man who seems to follow her everywhere. The border between reality and nightmare blurs, causing Jane to question her sanity and her grasp on the truth. Her attempts to pull away from the cult's influence are met with increasing hostility, escalating her paranoia and fear. As Jane delves deeper into this mysterious world, she faces a harrowing journey that threatens not only her mind but her very life.
Writers: Santiago Moncada, Ernesto Gastaldi, Sauro Scavolini
Release Date: 13 Aug 1976
Runtime: 87 min
Rating: R
Country: Italy, Spain, United Kingdom
Language: Italian, Spanish