City of the Living Dead Blu-ray Review

In the ever-evolving quest to present "City of the Living Dead" in the best possible light, Scorpion Releasing and Cauldron Films have both made significant strides with their respective 2020 and 2021 updates. Scorpion's release boasts an AVC encoded image with a 1.84:1 aspect ratio, coming from a meticulous 2020 4K color grading and restoration sourced from the original camera negative. This effort yields a presentation that significantly enhances the visual fidelity of Lucio Fulci's horror masterpiece, with a notable improvement in clarity, texture, and color reproduction. The restoration works wonders on the film's notorious gore and visceral scenes, presenting them with an almost unsettling sharpness that brings new life to Fulci's ghastly visions. Despite minor color fluctuations in the film's latter half indicating some source damage, the overall grain structure maintains a fine, film-like appearance, preserving the integrity of the original cinematic experience.

On the other hand, Cauldron Films' leap into the 4K UHD domain with a 2160p, HEVC-encoded presentation (framed at 1.85:1) underscores an impressive advancement over its predecessors. Utilizing Dolby Vision HDR and a robust bitrate supports a presentation that gracefully handles the film’s intrinsic grain-heavy composition and color inconsistencies. This version acknowledges the challenges posed by the film’s original production choices and stock, addressing them with care to maintain detail and texture without compromising the expressive lighting and shadow play fundamental to the horror genre. Black levels are judiciously adjusted, ensuring that even the darkest scenes offer depth and nuance, while the overarching color correction efforts ensure a harmonious balance that complements the film's atmospheric tension.

The Blu-ray release of "City of the Living Dead" offers an auditory experience that rivets the listener with its technical prowess and atmospheric depth. The 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix is a standout feature, delivering crisp and clear dialogue, despite the dubbed nature of the film. Voices are given a fresh and emotive quality that enhances the overall narrative impact. The scoring, enriched with a synth-heavy undertone, provides a robust backdrop that complements the on-screen action, especially the film's more sinister moments. Furthermore, the mix excels in creating a spatial environment that oscillates between claustrophobic intensity and expansive openness, utilizing panning effects and surround sound to immerse the viewer fully.

On the other hand, Cauldron Films' inclusion of both English and Italian DTS-HD MA mono tracks presents an audio fidelity that, while lacking the bass presence and surround complexity of the 5.1 mix, delivers a clean and uncluttered listening experience. Dialogue is sharp and well-synced across both language versions, ensuring that nothing detracts from the storytelling. The mono tracks shine particularly with Fabio Frizzi's eerie score, which is masterfully balanced with the spoken word to preserve the film's chilling atmosphere without overwhelming the senses.

Despite the varied approaches to the audio presentation across different releases, the Blu-ray of "City of the Living Dead" manages to appeal to audiophiles and genre enthusiasts alike. Whether through the enveloping 5.1 surround mix or the authentic charm of the original mono tracks, the audio experience supports the film's visual horror with acuity and atmospheric precision, making for a compelling auditory journey through this classic horror spectacle.

This Blu-ray edition of "City of the Living Dead" offers an exceptional array of extras that dive deep into the production's intricacies and the creative force behind it, Lucio Fulci. Fans are treated to rich, detailed commentaries from both film historians and the cast and crew, providing a multi-perspective view on what made this film a cult classic. Noteworthy are the interviews with critical figures such as Catriona MacColl and screenwriter Dardano Sacchetti, which offer fascinating insights into the movie's creation and Fulci's unique directorial challenges. Additionally, special featurettes like "A Trip Through Bonaventure Cemetery" and the inclusion of easter eggs cater to the aficionados' appetite for behind-the-scenes content. This compilation reaffirms the film's enduring legacy and provides comprehensive bonus material that both honors and expands the understanding of Fulci's vision.

Extras included in this disc:

Audio Commentary with Samm Deighan: A fresh analysis by film historian Samm Deighan.

Audio Commentary with Troy Howarth and Nathaniel Thompson: Insight from film historians on the movie's impact.

Audio Commentary with Sergio Salvati and Roberto Forges Davanzati: Behind-the-scenes insights from the director of photography and camera operator.

Through Your Eyes: In-depth interview with actress Catriona MacColl.

We Are the Apocalypse: An extensive dialogue with screenwriter Dardano Sacchetti.

Building Fulci's City: Appreciation piece by author Stephen Thrower on Lucio Fulci's career.

They Call Him 'Bombardone': A discussion with special effects artist Gino De Rossi on his work and memories of Fulci.

Tales of Friendship: Insightful reminiscence by director of photography Sergio Salvati about working with Fulci.

Dust in the Wind: Career reflections from camera operator Roberto Forges Davanzati.

The Art of Dreaming: Production designer Antonio Geleng shares his experiences and challenges.

The Dead Are Alive!: Video essay by Kat Ellinger.

Reflections on Fulci: Proposer Andy Nyman offers his appreciation.

I Walked with a Zombie: Interview with actor Giovanni Lombardo Radice.

The Horror Family: Entertaining chat with Venantino Venantini and his son, Luca.

Alternate Title Sequences: Both English and Italian versions.

Radio Spots: Commercials for the film.

Italian Trailer/English Trailer: Promotional trailers included.

A Trip Through Bonaventure Cemetery: Visual tour of key filming locations.

The Gates of Hell VHS version and Christopher George’s Playgirl spread: Unique easter eggs hidden in the disc.

Upon its release following the impactful "Zombi 2," Lucio Fulci's "City of the Living Dead" (also known as "The Gates of Hell" in the US) carries forward the director's fascination with the undead, enriching the Italian horror landscape. This 1980 cinematic piece, featuring Catriona MacColl, showcases a venture to thwart a zombie uprising in rural America, prompted by a priest's suicide. Fulci, never one to dwell on narrative coherence, leans heavily into creating a heavy atmosphere loaded with dread and shock, peppered with moments of intricate gore that manage to both disgust and captivate. Despite criticisms pointing towards its underwhelming narrative and dismissive ending, Fulci's focus on atmospheric horror and visually disturbing effects aligns well with genre expectations, fulfilling the thirst for a visceral horror experience.

The storyline unfolds in the eerie New England town of Dunwich, spinning a tale inspired by H.P. Lovecraft's cosmic horror elements. The film ventures into absurdities with its tale of flesh-eating entities, coupling ghastly visuals with a somewhat chaotic narrative trajectory. However, Fulci's craftsmanship in concocting scenes filled with blood-curdling horror—emphasized by an unforgettable scene involving a drill and a skull—retains a certain charm. Italian horror's penchant for leaving much to the viewer's interpretation plays well here, amidst the relentless gore and zombie onslaught. The walking dead in Fulci's vision are not mere shambles but are depicted with a grotesque fervor for mutilation that is both alarming and intriguing.

Despite its initial mixed reception and critique for being farcical, "City of the Living Dead" has ascended to cult classic status, cherished for its unabashed embrace of gore and atmospheric horror. This film exemplifies Fulci's mastery over creating unnervingly graphic visual narratives that echo through the annals of horror cinema, establishing it as an essential watch for enthusiasts of the genre. The visceral thrill and sheer audacity of Fulci's work render "City of the Living Dead" a compelling piece, standing as a testament to his status as a luminary in crafting grotesque beauty within horror's domain.

Scorpion Releasing and Cauldron Films have both delivered landmark presentations of Lucio Fulci's horror classic, "City of the Living Dead," with each offering an impressive array of features and technical refinements that make these editions stand out. Scorpion Releasing’s Blu-ray upgrade brings to the table an impressive auditory and visual (A/V) quality alongside a vast collection of interviews, aiming to provide the definitive package for fans of Fulci's work. Concurrently, Cauldron Films elevates the experience to new heights with their 4K Ultra HD release, which, supported by Dolby Vision HDR, significantly enhances the film's original grainy texture and offers an improvement over prior Blu-ray incarnations. Both releases meticulously gather extensive supplemental content, including both archival and freshly produced material, adding substantial value for enthusiasts and collectors alike.

The commitment of both companies to honor the film’s legacy is further cemented by including intriguing easter eggs and dedicating efforts to compile as comprehensive a supplementary section as possible. These versions collectively represent an exemplary effort to cater to the film's aficionados, showcasing a deep reverence for both the source material and its audience. The successful enhancement of the film’s A/V presentation by Cauldron Films, combined with Scorpion Releasing’s dedication to building a definitive collection of interviews, rounds off an offering that is difficult to surpass.

In conclusion, "City of the Living Dead" has been given remarkable treatment by both Scorpion Releasing and Cauldron Films, each contributing to what can be considered among the finest releases of the film to date. The enhancements in visual and audio quality, along with a wealth of supplementary content, make these editions essential for fans of Lucio Fulci’s work and the horror genre. Whether it's through the enriched clarity and depth of the 4K Ultra HD format or through the expansively curated special features, these releases affirm the film's standing as a seminal piece of horror cinema and offer an immersive experience that honors its legacy.