Tenebrae 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Tenebrae" by Arrow and Synapse Films marks a significant upgrade over previous versions, showcasing an extensive restoration from the original camera negative. This edition presents the film in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio, utilizing a native 3840 x 2160p resolution that engages the viewer with 10-bit video depth and High Dynamic Range via HDR10 and Dolby Vision. The encoding through the HEVC (H.265) codec ensures a pristine picture quality that leverages technological advancements for an optimal home viewing experience. Notable is the film's presentation across three discs, with attention to both the English and Italian versions, which have been meticulously spread over a triple-layer UHD to maintain high fidelity to the source material.

This restoration breathes new life into "Tenebrae," highlighting its stark cinematography and vibrant color palette that capitalizes on oversaturated primaries against a backdrop of precise decoration and exteriors with a remarkable sense of depth. Skin textures, period costuming, and scenographic details emerge with newfound clarity and richness, essentially elevating the fibrousness and sheerness of materials in a way that only 4K resolution can achieve. The Dolby Vision HDR pass enhances this further, affording greater immediacy to colors - from Peter Neal's bright blue tracksuit to nuanced skin tones and deep blacks, thereby ensuring that every frame is a feast for the eyes without succumbing to oversaturation.

Furthermore, the meticulous care taken in eliminating print damage and former scanning inaccuracies renders a stable, film-like grain structure that respects the original aesthetic intention. Compression rates maintaining an average of 90 Mbps, peaking at 116 Mbps in certain scenes, alongside the delicate yet potent color grading, ensures that "Tenebrae" is presented with an authenticity and visual splendor that surpasses prior releases. The near-elimination of artifacts such as scratches and speckles from earlier transfers signifies a restoration not only focused on visual enhancement but also on preserving the integrity of Argento’s masterpiece.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation of "Tenebrae" offers an audio experience that is both distinctive and praiseworthy across its various soundtrack options. The theatrical cut on Disc 1, alongside the 'Unsane' cut on Disc 2, boasts a meticulously restored English mono track that surprises with its depth and clarity, setting a benchmark for mono soundtracks. Arrow’s craftsmanship ensures the score by members of Goblin radiates through a single speaker with a presence and dynamism often unattainable in mono presentations. This track, devoid of any background hiss or crackle, delivers dialogue with impeccable clarity, maintaining fidelity that rivals CD quality across the audio spectrum. Its excellence lies in the details, such as a mid-range that eschews the common 'scooped' sound of traditional film soundtracks for something much more robust and engaging.

Alongside the mono options, the inclusion of 2.0 DTS-HD MA mixes in both Italian and English further enhances the auditory experience. These mixes offer a compelling auditory presence, with well-defined dialogue and synchronized dubbing that barely falters against the visuals. The scoring, characterized by its heavy synth and crisp percussion from Goblin, takes center stage when required, creating an enveloping atmosphere. Sound effects pack a punch, providing an additional layer of immersion. The stereo tracks, with their full-bodied sound quality, feature nice dynamics and powerful low end, which contribute to a rich audio experience. The stereo soundstage exhibits decent separation and layered effects, making it a worthy companion to the mono track.

Each audio option on the 4K UHD release enriches the viewing experience in unique ways, offering clarity and richness whether in mono or stereo format. Subtitles provided in English ensure accessibility for all viewers, rounding out an impressive auditory package that complements this visually stunning release. The care taken in restoring and presenting these soundtracks underscores their commitment to preserving the original allure of "Tenebrae", while catering to contemporary audiences equipped with advanced audio setups. This release was reviewed using a high-end Denon AVR-X4300H and a 7.2.4 array of KEF speakers, highlighting the release’s capability to meet the demands of premium home theater systems.

Synapse Films' reissue of "Tenebrae" on 4K UHD Blu-Ray positions itself as an essential purchase for aficionados and newcomers to the giallo genre, offering an impressive compilation of extras that enrich the viewing experience. The highlight is the inclusion of a new cut of the film presented in 4K DV/HDR10, leveraging the same transfer as the original theatrical release but never before seen in home video formats. Complementing this is "Yellow Fever: The Rise and Fall of the Giallo," an expansive feature-length documentary that delves into the genre's evolution with contributions from key figures like Argento, Lenzi, and Cozzi. Legacy features remain relevant, presenting a nostalgic yet insightful look into the making of "Tenebrae" through various interviews and featurettes. With high-quality packaging and a range of audio commentaries, this edition emerges as a definitive collection, emphasizing Synapse Films' commitment to delivering comprehensive and meticulous home video releases.

Extras included in this disc:

• New 4K UHD Cut: Featuring a previously unreleased version in 4K DV/HDR10.
• Yellow Fever: The Rise and Fall of the Giallo: Comprehensive documentary exploring the giallo genre.
• Voices of the Unsane: Making-of featurette with insights from the cast and crew.
• The Unsane World of 'Tenebrae': Director Dario Argento discusses themes and production challenges.
• Screaming Queen: Interview with actress Daria Nicolodi.
• Being the Villain: An exploration of John Steiner's character.
• A Composition for Carnage: Claudio Simonetti discusses his musical influences and contributions to the film.
• Out of the Shadows: Insights from author Maitland McDonagh.
• Alternate Opening Credits & Unsane End Credits Sequence: Variations on the film's opening and closing.
• Promotional Materials: A collection from various international releases.
• Trailers: International and Japanese trailers for Tenebrae.
• Audio Commentaries: Contributions from authors, critics, and historians offering diverse perspectives on the film.

Dario Argento's "Tenebrae," released in 1982, stands as a remarkable return to the giallo genre for the director, interweaving elements of personal fear and career introspection amidst a narrative drenched in violence and suspense. Based on troubling real-life events encountered by Argento, including a disturbed fan and a random killing, the film reflects on Italy's societal decay through its urban milieu that simmers with violence. "Tenebrae" employs a classic giallo framework—Anthony Franciosa stars as murder mystery novelist Peter Neal, who gets embroiled in a string of killings connected to his latest book. This meta-commentary approach not only reasserts Argento’s prowess in crafting suspense but also allows for self-reflection, mirroring aspects of Neal’s ordeal with Argento’s personal and professional tumults.

Despite its grounding in the giallo traditions that Argento helped pioneer, "Tenebrae" showcases an evolution in style toward the brutality and aesthetic flourish of American slasher films of the era. The film's murder sequences are executed with a strikingly artful gruesomeness, notably exemplified by an axe murder that paints a white wall with arterial spray, paralleling the works of Jackson Pollock. This blend of viciousness and beauty is complemented by Argento's innovative camera work, notably a lauded three-minute crane shot that metaphorically and visually encapsulates the victims' impending doom. The cast, including a contentious but compelling Franciosa and Argento regulars such as Daria Nicolodi and John Saxon, enhances the narrative with grounded performances amidst the stylistic flourish.

"Tenebrae" also marks a critical and satirical examination of the genre itself, leaning into less convoluted plot twists yet imbuing the script with rich subtext on societal issues like gender and the media's role in shaping public opinion on art and morality. Accompanied by a less prog-rock, more prog-disco Goblin score, Argento critiques both his detractors and the evolving landscape of horror cinema. While it diverges from the surreal mystery that characterized Argento's previous works like "Deep Red," "Tenebrae" offers a brutal exploration of fear, societal decay, and artistic integrity. The result is a film that is both reflective of Argento's past successes within the giallo genre and an embrace of—and reaction to—the emerging slasher trends, securing its place as a uniquely introspective yet uncompromisingly brutal piece in Argento's oeuvre.

Dario Argento's "Tenebrae" emerges as a fascinating exploration of violence, psychological depth, and cinematic elegance, making its way into the category of essential giallo viewing through its latest 4K UHD Blu-ray release by Arrow Video. While the film itself navigates through Argento's characteristic labyrinth of vividly violent aesthetics and complex narrative intricacies, this release enhances the experience dramatically. The 4K restoration surpasses prior versions, providing a visual delight that starkly contrasts the dark thematic elements of the film. Coupled with a wealth of new extra features, this edition not only celebrates Argento's craft but also serves as a testament to the meticulous care Arrow Video has taken to present this film in the best light possible.

Despite its brilliance, "Tenebrae" isn't without its critiques, highlighted by occasional narrative and pacing missteps. The film's tendency towards prolonged flashbacks and underdeveloped character relationships at times hampers the fluidity of its storytelling. However, these elements pale in comparison to the overall mastery with which Argento weaves a twisted tale of murder and madness. The ingenuity lies in how the plot invites multiple viewings, revealing subtleties in its narrative switchbacks and psychological depth that might be missed upon first viewing. Argento’s skillful manipulation of the genre’s conventions reflects both a homage and a critique, setting "Tenebrae" apart as one of his most intricate works, albeit not reaching the iconic status of "Suspiria" or "Deep Red."

In conclusion, Arrow Video's 4K UHD release of "Tenebrae" is undoubtedly the definitive edition for aficionados and newcomers alike. It not only showcases the technological strides in film restoration but also reiterates the timeless appeal of Argento’s filmmaking prowess. Despite minor narrative flaws, the overall package offers an enriched viewing experience that highlights Argento's dual role as both storyteller and stylist, cementing "Tenebrae" as an essential piece in the giallo genre and in Argento’s illustrious career.