Blu-Ray Review: Giallo in Vence (1979) by Mario Landi

Company: Scorpion Releasing
Director: Mario Landi
Year: 1979
Genre: Giallo; Exploitation
Discs: 1
Special Features:
Audio Commentary: Troy Howarth

To learn about the movie itself: GO HERE.

As for the disc-

Picture: ***1/2/5

The film's presentation, a 1080p MPEG-4 AVC video restoration effort, is an absolute revelation for those looking at the film on dirty, grimy, almost unwatchable bootlegs. Though still bestowed with specks, blotches and doses of grain on numerous occasions, the fact that this one is bright, clear and far more noticeable in resolution than ever before which makes this exceptionally watchable. The balance in the film admirably manages to give off the appropriately slimy, grindhouse-fueled atmosphere of the picture as well as the kind of material present, making this one even better than expected.

Sound: ***/5

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix for the only audio option, an Italian language track with English subs, doesn't allow for many dimensions, dealing with pronounced dubbing and technical limitations. Everything comes across nicely and secures an easy-listening experience without plenty of high-energy action to really test the speakers. Berto Pisano's jazzy score, curiously out of place in a sleazy over-the-top grindhouse effort, has some fine room to work without the constraints of another dub track to compete with, and overall there's nothing wrong with the audio presentation here.

Extras: ***/5

While some respects have to be given to this kind of film as it's not the high-art effort to warrant a massive amount of bonus material, what we get instead is a highly worthwhile substitute. A full-length commentary track by genre authority Troy Howarth is offered here, managing to discuss the biography of the numerous performers in front of and behind the camera while also treating the content within the film as the laughing stock it truly is. Treating this material with a sense of class is certainly a worthwhile accomplishment, but it's the way he takes on the detective's habit of having hardboiled eggs in every scene makes this a worthwhile track and truly serves to highlight him as one of the genre's most illuminating and engaging voices. Along with a fold-out poster of the new slipcover artwork, that's all we get here.

Overview:  **1/2/5
While the film is utterly unrepentant and grimy in all respects, the new transfer and a highlight-worthy commentary track make for a watchable presentation of a grubby film. If you're a fan of the seedy, dirty giallo efforts, this release is required to be on your shelf in short order, while those put off by the material and don't want anything to do with this one should avoid outright.

To order the film: LINK.