Baba Yaga Blu-ray Review

Blue Underground’s Blu-ray release of Corrado Farina's "Baba Yaga" impressively utilizes an MPEG-4 AVC encoding presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, providing a 1080p HD transfer that redefines expectations from a nearly 40-year-old film. Although occasional scanning harshness—common in many older Italian films—is present, it minimally detracts from the overall quality, which is commendable. The detailed image clarity, especially noticeable during nighttime sequences, and the stable contrast levels contribute to a visually satisfying experience. The color reproduction, encompassing browns, blues, grays, and blacks, appears natural and well-saturated, eschewing issues like edge-enhancement and post-production degraining. Remarkably, the high-definition transfer maintains consistent freedom from serious banding and aliasing patterns, with no visible damage marks, cuts, or debris.

The video quality further benefits from the usage of pristine vault materials, showcasing unexpected excellence in definition and clarity for its age. While some scenes reveal a slight drop in resolution and shadows that obscure details in certain interior shots, the majority of brightly-lit sequences stand out with exceptional detail and balanced contrast. Close-ups exhibit impressive texture detail on faces and costumes, aided by the transfer’s sharpness despite the softening effect of diffusers used in filming. Blacks retain depth and richness, complemented by a thin film grain layer that enhances the cinematographic aesthetic without overwhelming the image, barring a few instances of mosquito noise. Altogether, this Blu-ray edition rejuvenates "Baba Yaga" with a bold and dynamic color palette that imbues the film with newfound vibrancy and appeal.

The Blu-ray of "Baba Yaga" offers two audio tracks, both in DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0—one in English and the other in Italian. The quality improvement over previous DVD releases is immediately noticeable. The Blu-ray’s lossless tracks present a richer and more rounded sound experience, highlighting the nuanced score by Piero Umiliani. Specifically, saxophone and piano solos are much brighter, and any PAL speedup affects previously heard on DVD are absent. Dialogue is consistently crisp, clear, and stable, with no reported background hiss or audio dropouts.

Switching between the English and Italian tracks reveals no discernible quality difference; both deliver intelligible dialogue that, due to the international cast, may not always match lip movements perfectly—a common trait of this film’s era rather than an issue with the high-rez codec itself. The mono presentation delivers an unexpectedly spacious front soundstage, ensuring detailed and lifelike sound reproduction. Footsteps and ambient noises echo authentically across the screen, maintaining excellent clarity and depth. While the dynamic range is not extreme, low bass elements provide suitable punch when needed. Particularly during key moments, Umiliani's score broadens the soundfield effectively, keeping the audio engaging throughout this 1970s cult thriller.

The Blu-ray extras for "Baba Yaga" provide a compelling insight into the film's production, thematic elements, and historical context. The highlight is the in-depth interview with director Corrado Farina, discussing various aspects including the film's creation, casting, Guido Crepax's original work, and its tumultuous history. Additionally, a featurette on Crepax sheds light on his influence and contributions. The disc also includes deleted and censored scenes that offer a glimpse into what was removed due to censorship constraints. A comic book-to-film comparison presents intriguing visual parallels, while a still gallery and the original theatrical trailer round out the package, ensuring that fans of "Baba Yaga" get an enriching experience.

Extras included in this disc:

• Interview: Co-writer/director Corrado Farina discusses production history, scandal after producers cut the film, and more.
• Feud in Color - Guido Crepax: Focuses on Guido Crepax and his work.
• Deleted and Censored Scenes: A gallery of deleted scenes including Carroll Baker's controversial nude scene.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original trailer for "Baba Yaga".
• Poster & Still Gallery: Collection of posters, stills, VHS, and DVD covers.
• Comparison: Comic book-to-film comparison.

Corrado Farina's "Baba Yaga" (1973), available on Blu-ray from Blue Underground, is a compelling blend of classic European horror and erotic cinema. Adapted from Guido Crepax’s Valentina series, the film features Valentina Rosselli (Isabelle De Funès), a fashion photographer in Milan, whose life changes after an encounter with the enigmatic sorceress Baba Yaga (Carroll Baker). The film unfolds as Valentina’s reality becomes increasingly indistinguishable from her dreams, which involve eerie Nazi imagery and intense eroticism. Notable technical details include an 83-minute cut, with options for English and Italian audio and multiple subtitle choices.

The film’s narrative is enriched with complex themes and surreal elements, capturing Valentina's psychological duress. The intertwining of eroticism and intellectualism, inspired by Crepax's style, creates visually arresting sequences that resemble acid dreams. The elegant and moody atmosphere is accentuated by Piero Umiliani’s outstanding soundtrack, making the film a distinctive experience. Despite its sluggish pace and occasional confusion, "Baba Yaga" remains fascinating due to its vague narrative that allows for personal interpretation.

Performances are notable with Baker’s mesmerizing portrayal of Baba Yaga, though De Funès shines as the film’s true star. The movie's strong undertones of Women’s Liberation and political ideologies of the era add layers to its already complex narrative. Farina’s direction, utilizing Crepax’s comic-book framing style, lends a unique visual rhythm to the film, contributing to its status as a cult classic in the making. While not as widely recognized among Giallo or exploitation films, “Baba Yaga” warrants attention for its stylish craftsmanship and intriguing plot.

Review of "Baba Yaga" Blu-ray Release

"Baba Yaga" stands as a distinct entry within the Giallo subgenre, blending elements of erotic thriller and horror. This adaptation of Guido Crepax's comic book series translates its dreamlike, fantastical narrative into a visually compelling film. The Blu-ray release by Blue Underground enhances the theatrical atmospheric quality, which is as engaging as the overtly kinky moments reminiscent of Piero Schivazappa's "The Frightened Woman". Carroll Baker's performance, deeply etched within the bewildering narratives of her European ventures during the '60s and '70s, is particularly magnetic.

Technically, the Blu-ray presentation excels. The remastered video breathes new life into the nearly 40-year-old film, ensuring a clear and consistent visual quality that retains the essence of its original cinematography. Equally impressive is the audio restoration, providing a robust and immersive sound experience. However, some viewers may find the bonus material disappointingly familiar, as it replicates content from previous DVD releases. That said, the audio-visual improvements alone mark a substantial upgrade over older formats.

In conclusion, there is a good number of very wild films made by American actress Carroll Baker in Europe during the '60s and '70s that are a lot of fun to watch today. Some of the better ones are Marco Ferreri's "The Harem", Romolo Guerrieri's "The Sweet Body of Deborah", Umberto Lenzi's "So Sweet...So Perverse", and Vittorio De Sisti's "Private Lessons". Unfortunately, they are incredibly difficult to track down. Good thing Blue Underground are still around and releasing on Blu-ray, because had it not been for them Corrado Farina's "Baba Yaga" also would have been one of those elusive films. I like "Baba Yaga" a lot. It is very atmospheric and at times as kinky as Piero Schivazappa's "The Frightened Woman". Fans of European cult cinema should not miss it. RECOMMENDED.