ALL THE COLORS OF GIALLO: A MUST HAVE FOR GIALLO FANS

Wow. Just…wow. When I read that Severin was going to be releasing this to disc my interest was piqued immediately. I’ve only recently become a major fan of giallo films. To hear that they were releasing a disc that not only contained a documentary on the subject but a ton of trailers as well? I mean come on, that’s a no brainer. It had to be added to the collection.

ALL THE COLORS OF GIALLO has so much to offer it’s difficult to begin telling you how good it is and what there is. But let’s start with the first disc shall we? This blu-ray starts off with the documentary about the giallo film, ALL THE COLORS OF GIALLO. If you’re not aware of what giallo it it’s a term given to a genre of film, most of which were made in Italy, that were called this because they were based on mystery thriller book at the time which all featured yellow, or giallo, covers. So close to the series of books were they that the term applied to the films. The documentary is in Italian with subtitles provided but that doesn’t make a difference. What we are presented with is a discussion of the films that were made in the genre’s peak period coupled with interviews of those who were responsible for some of the most amazing features the genre produced. If those involved were deceased at present, audio from those directors has been brought in to get their views on the matter. Included among the many luminaries from the genre are Mario Bava, Dario Argento, Lucio Fulci, Sergio Martino, Antonio Margheriti, Umberto Lenzi and more. It’s an amazing documentary with not just behind the scenes information from those who made the films but clips inserted as well. It will leave you wanting to see those movies you might have missed. But that’s not all! There is also a commentary track with Kat Ellinger, Author of “All the Colors of Sergio Martino”. And THE GIALLO FRAMES, an interview with John Martin, Editor of the Giallo Pages. But that’s still not enough! There is also a compilation of trailers of giallo films, enough to occupy you for 4 hours! This would be a disc worth buying on this alone. But as those late night hour long commercials say “Wait! There’s more!”

Like a second disc. I found this one equally as fascinating, giving me information I was completely unaware of. This disc discussing a genre of films that actually influenced the giallo films. It features THE CASE OF THE KRIMI an interview with film historian Marcus Stiglegger. I had never heard of the krimi genre before. Apparently these were films made mostly in Germany in the fifties and sixties that were based on the same thriller novels that later giallo films were made from. Instead of yellow these books were released with red covers in Germany and the main author the films seemed to be drawn to were the books written by Edgar Wallace. If the name sounds familiar, Wallace was well known for the proliferation of mysteries he wrote but maybe more so for being the creator of the story for King Kong. This documentary talks about those films and once more will most likely result in your wanting to seek some out. I know it did me. But as with the first disc…there’s more! Like another compilation of trailers, this time involving krimi films. Not quite as long as the other compilation it still presents plenty to pique your interest.

One would think you could relax with these two discs, satisfied that the money spent on the package was well worth it. But again, there is STILL more. A third disc! This one is called “The Strange Case of the Bloodstained Films” and is a soundtrack compilation of various themes from numerous giallo films. It features the works of composers like Ennio Morricone, Riz Ortolani, Bruno Nicolai, Stelvio Cipriani and more.

I know, this one is an exhausting disc to experience. Trust me it took me time to sit and watch every single moment. But it was well worth it and one of the most enjoyable experiences to have as a burgeoning fan of the genre. It is one of those discs that you know you’ll find yourself referencing as you build a collection of films based on the recommendations and items seen in the documentaries and among the trailers offered.

As I said before, Severin has stepped up their game with several new releases and this is one of them. This is not a disc that you will casually consider buying, it is one that you need to have. It is one that not only offers everything in pristine fashion but in overwhelming amounts. This is a must have so make a point of ordering it immediately.

Click here to order.