Dressed to Kill Blu-ray Review

Criterion's Blu-ray release of Brian De Palma's "Dressed to Kill" presents an impressively remastered video transfer overwhelmingly true to the creative intentions of De Palma and cinematographer Ralf D. Bode. This edition was meticulously created in 4K resolution from the original 35mm camera negatives, with additional footage sourced from a 35mm interpositive. The encoding is an MPEG-4 AVC at 1080p, and, crucially, supervised and approved by De Palma himself. Despite initial issues with vertical stretching in earlier pressings, Criterion has addressed and corrected these anomalies in subsequent printings, ensuring the film's aspect ratio is presented at an accurate 2.35:1.

The digital restoration work, utilizing MTI's DRS and Digital Vision's Phoenix, has resulted in a pristine image, free from dirt, debris, scratches, splices, and warps. The high-definition transfer exhibits impressive depth, clarity, and stability, avoiding problematic sharpening artifacts. Viewers will appreciate the delicate layer of grain that adds to the film's textured density. Color reproduction is stable and natural, never appearing overly saturated or artificially enhanced. Blacks are deep with excellent gradation and shadow detail, while whites are crisp and offer brilliant clarity of background elements. The result is a presentation that feels both brighter and truer to its original aesthetic compared to previous releases.

Overall, this Criterion Blu-ray delivers stellar image quality for a film over three decades old. The optical characteristics of the original diffusion filters employed by De Palma and Bode are faithfully maintained, contributing to the dreamy haze and purposeful blur that define the film’s visual style. Contrast levels are accurate, ensuring facial details are clearly delineated—pores, wrinkles, and blemishes are all revealingly depicted. The palette favors earthy tones and soft secondary hues with rich primaries adding vibrancy when needed. This release undoubtedly offers the best visual presentation of "Dressed to Kill" to date, marking it as a definitive edition for enthusiasts.

The Blu-ray release of "Dressed to Kill" presents an outstanding audio experience with its single standard track: English LPCM 1.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are available, positioned neatly within the image frame. The lossless track delivers an improved fluidity when compared directly to the Region-B release counterpart. Renowned composer Pino Donaggio's score is presented without any pops, cracks, background hiss, audio dropouts, or digital distortions, ensuring an uninterrupted auditory experience.

Criterion engineers have skillfully preserved the original monaural soundtrack from the magnetic tracks of the original 35mm camera negatives, achieving a superb result. Despite being centrally focused, the uncompressed PCM mono track offers remarkable acoustical presence and fidelity. Nuanced ambient sounds, like city traffic or footsteps in a museum, are clearly articulated and exhibit impressive localization within the audio field. Donaggio's stylized score benefits the most, with impeccable clarity and separation among different orchestral elements, while dialogue remains clear and precise. The mix further boasts an accurate low-end response, adding satisfying depth to the musical score and dynamic scenes such as the thunder shower, making this audio presentation exemplary.

The Blu-ray extras for "Dressed to Kill" present an impressive array of in-depth content that will delight fans and cinephiles alike. Director Brian De Palma's interview, conducted by Noah Baumbach, is a standout, delving into his stylistic evolution, narrative structure, and influences, including Alfred Hitchcock. Nancy Allen's interview offers valuable insights into her role preparation and work with co-stars. Composer Pino Donaggio and cinematographer Ralf Bode are given their due, with their creative processes meticulously explored. The retrospective making-of documentary provides rich behind-the-scenes details, while the version comparison serves as an intriguing examination of the film's different cuts. It's a comprehensive package that enriches the viewing experience of this classic thriller.

Extras included in this disc:

• Interviews: In-depth conversations with Brian De Palma, Nancy Allen, George Litto, Pino Donaggio, Victoria Lynn Johnson, and Stephen Sayadian.
• Defying Categories: Ralf Bode: Tribute to cinematographer Ralf Bode featuring Michael Apted and Peer Bode.
• The Making of Dressed to Kill: Extensive documentary with cast and crew reflections on production challenges and key sequences.
• Slashing Dressed to Kill: Discussion on the film's MPAA rating controversies.
• An Appreciation by Keith Gordon: Analytic piece by actor Keith Gordon.
• Version Comparison: Comparative analysis of different cuts of the film.
• Trailer: Original promotional trailer.

Brian De Palma's "Dressed to Kill" (1980) is a striking example of cinematic artistry, seamlessly blending suspense and psychological intrigue with Hitchcockian sensibilities. The influence of Hitchcock is unmistakable, yet De Palma endows the film with its own distinct identity, primarily through its unabashed attitude towards sex and violence, which sets it apart from other films of its time. From the captivating opening sequence—where a sexually frustrated Kate Miller (Angie Dickinson) experiences vivid fantasies while showering—to her tragic demise, De Palma masterfully crafts a narrative that is both provocative and meticulously executed. The film's engrossing sequences, such as the visually stunning museum scene, are precisely shot, featuring fluid camera moves and expert use of shadow, light, and color.

The characters’ motivations and the intricate plot further elevate the film. Kate's encounter with Dr. Elliott (Michael Caine) and her subsequent affair, culminating in a shocking murder witnessed by prostitute Liz Blake (Nancy Allen), are pivotal moments that drive the story forward. Through De Palma’s lens, every scene serves a purpose, either advancing the plot or deepening character development. The dialogue is sharp and purposeful, with moments of silence allowing the camera to tell a part of the story that words cannot.

Technically, "Dressed to Kill" is impressive. Ralf D. Bode’s cinematography and Pino Donaggio’s evocative score complement De Palma’s directorial vision, creating an atmosphere of tension and unease. The split-screen technique used by De Palma not only enhances the film's visual appeal but also underscores themes of duality and hidden lives. While contemporary audiences may not find the film as shocking as its initial release, it remains a compelling mystery thriller, celebrated for its style and craftsmanship. Angie Dickinson delivers an outstanding performance in her brief but impactful role, supported ably by Nancy Allen and Michael Caine.

Brian De Palma's 'Dressed to Kill' continues to captivate audiences with its stylish execution and masterful suspense, reminiscent of Hitchcock’s best works. The film benefits from strong performances by Michael Caine, Angie Dickinson, and Nancy Allen, making it a timeless thriller even after more than three decades. The Criterion Collection's Blu-ray release offers a wealth of supplemental material, enhancing the viewing experience by providing deeper insights into the film’s production and themes.

The initial Blu-ray release raised some concerns due to a framing issue in the high-definition transfer. However, Criterion has promptly addressed this with a second printing that resolves these issues. The corrected visuals, marked by Second Printing on the back of the package and Second Pressing 2015 on the disc, present the film in a dramatically improved format. Both audio and video quality are significantly enhanced, showcasing the meticulous attention to detail that Criterion is known for.

In summary, the second printing of 'Dressed to Kill' on Blu-ray is a substantial improvement over its predecessor. Criterion's swift response to correct the issues is commendable, ensuring that this release meets the high standards expected by collectors and cinephiles alike. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.