Day of Anger Blu-ray Review

Arrow Video's Blu-ray release of Tonino Valerii's Day of Anger presents a staggering visual experience, thanks to a meticulous restoration from the original 2-perf 35mm Techniscope camera negative, scanned in 2K via an ArriScan at Technicolor in Rome. The 2.35:1 AVC encoded transfer is nothing short of superb. The restoration offers two versions: the full-length Italian theatrical cut (116 minutes) and the truncated international version (86 minutes). The lush cinematography by Enzo Serafin profoundly benefits from a keen attention to lighting, composition, and three-dimensional depth, providing an expansive and vibrant aesthetic that complements the film's visual storytelling.

Detail and depth in the transfer are exceptional, with close-ups displaying tremendous clarity—showcasing every whisker, scar, and pore on Lee Van Cleef’s face, among others. The township and landscape shots boast a fine three-dimensionality, avoiding any semblance of a flat image. The grain structure remains natural and organic, eschewing any detrimental digital noise reduction. Contrast is consistent, with smooth edges and minimal print damage; a few fleeting moments of artificial sharpening and minor blemishes are noted but are hardly significant enough to detract from the overall quality.

The color palette is profoundly rich and robust, boasting deep saturation and a diverse range of vibrant, natural colors. The typical orange patina of Spaghetti Westerns is evident but tastefully rendered, while primary colors remain bright and punchy. Black levels are strong, ensuring effective shadow play, especially in night scenes. The restoration breathes new life into scenes like the vividly fiery inferno and garish saloon entertainment, underscoring the film's dynamic visual flair. Overall, Arrow Video's presentation on Blu-ray stands as a definitive edition, offering a visually stunning experience that both classic cinema aficionados and new viewers will undoubtedly appreciate.

The Blu-ray audio presentation of "Day of Anger" offers a vintage yet functional listening experience, maintaining PCM mono tracks for both the longer Italian release (with English and Italian options) and the shorter international version (English only). As expected from Spaghetti Westerns of its era, the dubbing is a prominent aspect with limited lip-synch coherence, especially noted in Giuliano Gemma’s English voiceover. Nevertheless, the dialogue remains consistently clear and crisp without significant age-related hiss. Gunshots, horse hoofbeats, and bodily impacts offer satisfactory punch, supplemented by subtler effects like revolver clicks and wooden footsteps that enhance the film’s authenticity. Riz Ortolani’s spirited score shines through, balancing its upbeat composition against minute sonic details despite its vintage soundscape.

Technical observations underscore some peculiarities: the audio during the opening credits appears thin, likely attributable to source limitations rather than transfer issues. Users might need to adjust volume levels slightly higher than usual, and infrequent high-frequency pops are noticeable but non-intrusive. Despite these minor anomalies, Ortolani's score breathes life throughout the soundtrack with commendable fluidity, particularly in the guitar solos. The dialog's stability and intelligibility are noteworthy, although the inherent dubbing inevitably affects the overall richness and clarity. Importantly, no audio dropouts or digital distortions are detected, providing a consistent auditory experience throughout the film.

Overall, this Blu-ray delivers a nostalgic yet robust audio track fitting for "Day of Anger," with special attention to preserving the film's atmospheric sound effects and vibrant score. While some technical quirks are present, they do not significantly detract from the listening experience, retaining the charm and characteristic sound of classic Spaghetti Westerns.

Arrow's Blu-ray release of "Day of Anger" presents an impressive collection of extras that enhance the appreciation for this classic spaghetti western. It includes both the shorter international and the full-length Italian theatrical cuts, alongside DVD versions. Noteworthy among the extras are new interviews with screenwriter Ernesto Gastaldi and biographer Roberto Curti, providing unique insights into the film's production and legacy. The disc also features a previously unreleased 2008 interview with director Tonino Valerii, addressing the casting and screenplay development. A deleted scene from the shorter version, various trailers, and a reversible sleeve with original and newly commissioned artwork by Reinhard Kleist are included as well. Additionally, a 28-page booklet by Howard Hughes offers further context, making this a highly recommended collection for fans.

Extras included in this disc:

Deleted Scene: A unique scene not included in the longer Italian version of the film.

Interview with Director Tonino Valerii: Archival interview discussing the film's creation and financial success.

Interview with Screenwriter Ernesto Gastaldi: Insights into Gastaldi’s contributions and spaghetti westerns.

Interview with Roberto Curti: Examination of Valerii's work and westerns.

Trailers: Three original trailers for "Day of Anger."

Cover: Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Reinhard Kleist.

Booklet: Featuring new writing on the film by Howard Hughes.

Tonino Valerii's Day of Anger (1967), or I giorni dell'ira, thrusts viewers into the gritty town of Clifton, Arizona, through detailed cinematography and atmospheric direction—a hallmark derived from Valerii’s stint as an assistant to Sergio Leone. The film stars Giuliano Gemma as Scott Mary, the town's downtrodden street cleaner who ascends the ranks under the tutelage of the affable yet menacing gunfighter Frank Talby, played by Lee Van Cleef. Scott’s journey from a bullied naive boy to a formidable gunslinger forms the crux of this Spaghetti Western. However, as Talby’s ulterior motives come to light and his authoritative grip over Clifton tightens, Scott faces a moral dilemma that escalates the narrative tension.

The film’s visual storytelling is exemplary, reflecting Valerii's adeptness at using framing and pace to create suspense and drama. Despite its brisk action sequences and substantial body count, Day of Anger retains a certain restraint, occasionally feeling sedate compared to its contemporaries. The character transformations are poignant, especially seen in the shifting dynamics between Talby and Scott—an intricate mentor-student relationship that gradually sours due to mutual distrust and diverging values. While critique has been aimed at the English dubbing for Gemma undermining his character's depth, the visual richness and engaging plot maintain viewer interest.

The Blu-ray release by Arrow Video presents two versions of the film: the original 114-minute Italian release (I giorni dell'ira) and the 87-minute international cut, both available with English dubbing options. The influence of Sergio Leone is palpable in the film’s stylistic choices, although Valerii injects a unique energy accented by Riz Ortolani's edgy soundtrack. Supplemental content enriches the package, including interviews with Valerii and screenwriter Ernesto Gastaldi, clarifying that the narrative divergence from Ron Barker's novel was driven by German production interests rather than adherence to source material.

"Day of Anger" Blu-ray release by Arrow Films underscores the enduring appeal of Tonino Valerii's Spaghetti Western through a stunning restoration and an engaging set of extra features. Combining Lee Van Cleef's commanding presence with Giuliano Gemma's dynamic transformation, the film navigates a familiar, yet captivating narrative. The plot might tread familiar ground, adapted loosely from Ron Barker’s "Death Rode on Tuesdays," but the charm lies in its execution - be it the entertainingly over-the-top horseback rifle duel or the sheer catalog of recognizable faces, settings, and motifs inherent to the genre.

Van Cleef delivers a performance imbued with effortless menace and gravitas, playing a mentor character with his typical cool intimidation. Gemma matches this with a compelling portrayal of a young protagonist rising to courage, bringing a satisfying duality to their on-screen relationship. While the story may appear rudimentary, it's punctuated with flashes of brilliance that capture the quintessential Spaghetti Western spirit. Riz Ortolani’s score, though repetitive, infuses the film with an infectious energy that lingers long after the credits roll.

Arrow Films’ meticulous restoration shines, offering a visual presentation that will delight both long-time fans and newcomers experiencing the film beyond the now scarce DVD releases. The transfer quality is exceptional, highlighting the film's aesthetic strengths, while the supplementary materials provide valuable insights into the production. Although "Day of Anger" may not stand as an exemplar of groundbreaking narrative innovation, it remains an essential addition for collectors of Euro-Westerns, delivering entertainment and nostalgia in equal measure.

In conclusion, "Day of Anger," while not devoid of flaws, is bolstered by standout performances, a memorable soundtrack, and a robust Blu-ray release that does justice to its legacy. This Spaghetti Western offers enough enjoyment to merit its place in any collection and demonstrates why this genre remains beloved by many.