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.

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ALL THE COLORS OF THE DARK: GIALLO OR NOT?

In recent years there’s been a re-emerging interest in the giallo films, those Italian suspense movies that almost always feature a mysterious murderer in black gloves tracking down a new victim. But that hasn’t always been the format used for the giallo film. Such is the case with ALL THE COLORS OF THE DARK.

The movie tells the story of Jane (Edwige Fenech), a woman whose mother was murdered years ago who is dealing with the recent loss of a child in a car crash. Suspicious of everyone, always on edge and afraid of being alone, she constantly calls her husband Richard (George Hilton). Richard is a pharmacy salesman and thinks the solution is vitamins he continues to give her. Her sister Barbara (Susan Scott) has other ideas.

Working for an analysts she believes therapy is what Jane needs. Jane goes to see the therapist and discusses her recurring dream where she sees a pregnant woman on a table, a meth mouthed looking midwife dressed in dolls clothing with curly hair and herself on a bed, blood spilling from an open wound. During the dream she also sees a man with piercing blue eyes. The therapist tell here there must be a reason for this and not to worry, they will work on her issues. He leaves the room for a moment and Jane looks into the lobby to find the pale eyed man sitting there. When she tells the therapist he tells her he has no other patients scheduled.

Walking home through a park Jane feels she’s being followed by the man with blue eyes. She bumps into a woman named Mary (Marina Malfatti) who happens to be a new neighbor in their apartment building. Stopping in for a cup of tea they have a conversation where Mary tells her she had problems once too but found a solution that she offers to Jane. Jane agrees and the next day they go to a castle nearby.

Mary’s solution is to become a member of a satanic cult there. Her mind already in a spin from the dreams as well as the numerous people all presenting different ways to help her Jane succumbs to the influence of both drugs and maneuvers presented by the group. But something seems off about them, something that ties to her past. By the time she realizes what is going on Jane isn’t quite sure what it real, what is fantasy and what problems may follow the decisions she makes.

The movie is incredibly interesting and a pleasure to watch due to the quality of the film makers behind the credits. At the same time it has a familiar ring to it. While watching I kept thinking it seemed just like ROSEMARY’S BABY without the baby. During the extras in an interview with the director he notes that Italian film makers at the time borrowed heavily from successful films and that this one was indeed influenced by that film.

The story here is one that’s a bit convoluted and confusing at times and yet easy enough to follow if you pay close attention. Some items aren’t clear until final revelations are offered near the end but they won’t stop you from enjoying the film all the same.

The acting by all involved is better than one would expect and loses nothing in the transition of languages of all involved. Hilton is there for the ladies to swoon over and both Fenech and Scott here in their heyday are amazingly attractive and easy on the eye. Both were consistent actresses in the giallo genre and this movie just adds another to their long list of accomplishments.

While most giallo films seem to be coming from Arrow Video these days this offering is from Severin who have shown in the past year or two a desire to step up their game and offer some amazing titles in the best version possible. This film is not different. Here they are offering the movie for the first time in a 4k scan from the original film negative. It’s never looked this good before.

In addition to that they’ve included some amazing extras to enjoy. These include “They’re Coming To Get You” an alternate US cut of the film, “Color My Nightmare” an interview with director Sergio Martino, “Last of the Mohicans” an interview with screenwriter Ernesto Gastaldi, “Giallo is the Color” interviews with Hilton and Italian horror expert Antonio Tentori, and audio commentary track with Kat Ellinger, the author of “All the Colors of Sergio Martino”, trailers and a bonus CD of the film’s soundtrack. Wow, what a list.

Severin is releasing this title along with another title called ALL THE COLORS OF GIALLO, a documentary of the genre that includes a 4 hour compilation of giallo trailers. My suggestion is that you pick both up and enjoy them as soon as possible. Severin has done an amazing job on both.

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HORROR EXPRESS: FINALLY A SOLID VERSION!

Movie fans are willing to excuse a lot of things in order to have a copy of a good movie or the chance of finding one among many. So it was that the movie HORROR EXPRESS was found in numerous version and variations among the many multi-movie packs that are on sale everywhere, those 100 movies for $20 compilations. Don’t get me wrong the movies aren’t all that bad with no restorations done and involving scratches and dialogue dropouts as well as fuzzy pictures, but at least the movies included were there. That all changes with Arrow Video’s release of this film on blu-ray. As always Arrow has done an amazing job.

If you’ve never seen the film it stars Christopher Lee as Prof. Sir Alexander Saxton, a renowned anthropologist returning from the China/Russia area of the world via the Trans-Siberian Express. He’s discovered the frozen remains of what could be the missing link and is returning with it crated and sealed in chains in the baggage compartment.

Also on board the same train is Doctor Wells (Peter Cushing), Saxton’s friend, rival and fellow member of the Royal Geological Society. There is no nefarious reason for his being here, it is pure coincidence. This doesn’t mean his curiosity isn’t piqued by Saxton’s crate. Before leaving the station on their trip a thief is found dead, his eyes completely white. No one knows what happened to him but it foreshadows events to come.

As the train begins its journey we learn who else is on board, from an Eastern Orthodox monk to a Polish count and countess to a police inspector. As the passengers become acquainted with one another strange things begin happening with Saxton’s crate. Wells has paid the baggage handler to get a peek at what’s in the box and the end result is the handler dying, his eyes pure white like the thief’s earlier, and the creature within the box missing. The monk claims it is unholy and the rest attempt to track down whatever was in the crate.

More murders follow and eventually a telegraph is sent for help. This reaches a Cossack officer named Captain Kazan (Telly Savalas) who boards the train with his men as it arrives near his post. But even the forceful Kazan is no match for the creature. It is only after he boards that we learn what and where it is from.

With Lee and Cushing as the main stars one would assume this was a Hammer film but far from it. The movie was an Italian/Spanish co-production that had secured the pair to work on the film. Of special note is that Cushing while set to be in the film almost wasn’t as he was still distraught over the recent loss of his wife. It was Lee who stepped in to talk to his old friend and convince him to carry on. This was not Lee attempting to save the film so much as displaying his concern for his friend.

The budget on the film was low but you’d never know it from the sets and costumes used here. Granted the majority of the film takes place on the interiors of a train but I’ve seen films that were terrible trying the same thing. Here they got their bang for the buck in the way the film sets look. It all contributes to making the film that more believable. But many will say that the story itself lends itself to the unbelievable. To those I say show me a lightsaber and we’ll talk.

The script has a few minor holes but the performances on hand more than make up for that. Lee and Cushing, always seen as foes in previous films, work well together here as rivals but still friends. They complement one another quite well. In the hands of lesser actors the film would have suffered but they help it rise above what it is. The end result is a movie that is a lot of fun and one that fans have loved for years, clamoring for a better version. Now they have it.

Arrow Video is releasing the film on blu-ray with a new 2k scan of original film elements. And, as is always the case, they’re including a number of great extras that will entertain fans as well. Included are a new audio commentary track with Stephen Jones and Kim Newman, an introduction to the film by journalist and HORROR EXPRESS super-fan/director Eugenio Martin, “Murder on the Trans-Siberian Express” an interview with director Martin, “Notes from the Blacklist” an interview with producer Bernard Gordon on working in Hollywood during the McCarthy era, “Telly and Me” an interview with composer John Cacavas, the original theatrical trailer, a reversible sleeve with newly commissioned artwork by Graham Humphreys and for the first pressing only a fully illustrated collector’s booklet with new writing by Adam Scovell.

My guess is that many of you have seen this film at one time or another. It has aired on plenty of horror host programs and late night television as well as being included in those compilations packs I mentioned. But it’s never looked this good or this clean. I’m glad to now have it in my collection and my guess is you will too. Look for it and order it.

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