Friday, May 27, 2011

An Argento BD status check

3:19 PM / Blu-ray / Comments25 Comments

Blu-ray

With the dust having settled on the latest round of Dario Argento BD releases, now seems like a good time to take a look at the current status of the maestro's films in HD. If, a couple of years ago, you'd told me that by the middle of 2011 more than half of Argento's filmography would be represented on BD, I wouldn't have believed you. That's the way the land now lies, though, with arguably all his best films - with the glaring exception of OPERA - being available in one form or another.

In this post, I've done my best to catalogue every Argento BD release to date and provide, where possible, some cursory comments about their image and sound quality and extras. Where there are multiple releases of the same film, I've also recommended which release I consider the best. Obviously, though, it's just my opinion, and like the man said, opinions are like assholes. Depending on your priorities (image quality, extras, etc.), your preferred version may be different from mine.

This list is probably far from definitive and will need to keep being updated, but for the time being it contains information on every release known to me.

Please note that, while I have seen a good number of these discs, in cases where there are multiple releases of the same film, I can't claim to have watched every single one of them and have to rely on screen captures, reviews and word of mouth to ascertain their specifications. If you believe I'm mistaken about any of these, please let me know. Discs I have seen for myself are marked with an asterisk (*).

An Argento BD status check

BD

THE BIRD WITH THE CRYSTAL PLUMAGE (1970)
  • (1)* Region ABC US release by Blue Underground. Very good image quality; audio limited to multi-channel remixes only; plentiful extras; now out of print. Review
     
  • (2) Region ABC UK release by Arrow Video. Image has been cropped to a 2:1 aspect ratio, colour timing has been substantially altered; original English and Italian mono mixes intact; plentiful extras.
     
  • RECOMMENDATION: (1).

BD

THE CAT O' NINE TAILS (1971)
  • (1)* Region ABC US release by Blue Underground. Shameful image quality; original English and Italian mono mixes intact (English subtitles are HoH captions of the English dialogue rather than the Italian - thanks, Gasteropod); extras fairly limited, repeating content from older Anchor Bay DVD. Review

    (2) Region ?ABC UK release by Arrow Video. Not yet released.
FOUR FLIES ON GREY VELVET (1971)
  • Unavailable. German release from Koch Media apparently incoming.
LE CINQUE GIORNATE (1973)
  • Unavailable.

BD

DEEP RED (1975)
  • (1)* Region ABC UK release by Arrow Video. Problematic image quality afflicted by heavy artefacting and a noticeable yellow push; original English and Italian mono mixes intact (including hybrid English/Italian track on Italian cut); plentiful extras; contains both shorter international and longer Italian cuts on separate discs; opening and closing credits on international version in standard definition. Review
     
  • (2)* Region ABC US release by Blue Underground. Good/very good image quality but with a noticeable yellow push; original English and Italian mono mixes intact (although hybrid English/Italian track on Italian cut is a multi-channel remix only); limited extras, repeating content from older Anchor Bay DVD; contains both shorter international and longer Italian cuts on same disc. Review
     
  • RECOMMENDATION: (2).
     
  • Both releases derived from same master.

BD

SUSPIRIA (1977)
  • (1)* Region ABC Italian release by Eagle Pictures. Excessively contrast boosted image with noticeable DVNR artefacts; audio in Italian only; limited extras. Review
     
  • (2)* Region B UK release by Nouveaux Pictures. Excessively contrast boosted image; audio is a 5.1 remix, but recreates the original 4-channel mix more faithfully than any prior version; plentiful extras, though the somewhat academic slant may put some off. Review
     
  • (3) Region ABC French release by Wild Side Video. Excessively contrast boosted image; English and Italian audio tracks are included, but English track is 2-channel only and French subtitles are forced with both; plentiful extras, but in French.
     
  • (4) Region ABC Japanese release by King Records. Excessively contrast boosted image mastered as 1080i; English 5.1 and Italian 2.0 tracks included (the English track is the same as the older, less faithful remix from the Anchor Bay DVD - thanks, Miles); extras practically non-existent.
     
  • RECOMMENDATION: (2).
     
  • All releases derived from same master.

BD

INFERNO (1980)
  • (1)* Region ABC UK release by Arrow Video. Mediocre image quality with anaemic colour palette; original English stereo and Italian mono mixes intact; plentiful extras. Review
     
  • (2) Region ABC France release by Wild Side Video. Good image quality with anaemic colour palette; original Italian mono mix intact (English mono listed on cover but unable to confirm whether it truly is mono or the original stereo), but French subtitles are forced with both; extras fairly limited and in French.
     
  • (3) Region ABC Japanese release by King Records. Good image quality with anaemic colour palette; original English stereo mix intact with optional Japanese subtitles (thanks, Kannisto).
     
  • (4)* Region ABC US release by Blue Underground. Good image quality with some attempt to digitally restore colour timing to match Anchor Bay DVD; original Italian mono mix intact, English stereo track is a downmix of a 5.1 remix (English subtitles are HoH captions of the English dialogue rather than the Italian - thanks, Gasteropod); limited extras, repeating content from older Anchor Bay DVD. Review
     
  • (5) Region ?ABC German release by Camera Obscura. Not yet released.
     
  • RECOMMENDATION: (4), pending release of (5).
     
  • All releases derived from same master.

BD

TENEBRAE (1982)
  • (1)* Region ABC France release by Wild Side Video. Good/very good image quality; original English and Italian mono mixes intact, but French subtitles are forced for both; extras fairly limited and in French. Review
     
  • (2) Region ?ABC UK release by Arrow Video. Not yet released.

BD

PHENOMENA (1985)
  • (only current release)* Region ABC UK release by Arrow Video. Subpar image quality; audio in Italian and English with some errors in English track; plentiful extras. Review
OPERA (1987)
  • Unavailable.

BD

TWO EVIL EYES (1990)
  • (only current release)* Region ABC US release by Blue Underground. Very good image quality; multiple English audio tracks provided but not original 2-channel mix; plentiful extras. Review
TRAUMA (1993)
  • Unavailable.

BD

THE STENDHAL SYNDROME (1996)
  • (1)* Region ABC US release by Blue Underground. "Controversial" image quality with heavy noise-like grain; multiple English tracks provided, but the Italian track suffers from a distracting echo (film originally mixed in 5.1 - thanks, Vincent); plentiful extras. Review
     
  • (2) Region ?B German release by X-Rated. Specs unavailable, but audio listed as German only. (Thanks, Sundance.)
     
  • RECOMMENDATION: (1).
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (1998)
  • Unavailable.
SLEEPLESS (2001)
  • Unavailable.
THE CARD PLAYER (2004)
  • Unavailable.
DO YOU LIKE HITCHCOCK? (2005)
  • Unavailable. An HD release is unlikely, given that this TV-movie appears to have been post-produced in standard definition.

BD

MASTERS OF HORROR: JENIFER (2005)
  • (only current release) Region ABC US release by Anchor Bay (MASTERS OF HORROR SEASON I VOLUME II). Good image quality (1080i); English 5.1 track provided; lacks all extras from DVD release except commentary.
MASTERS OF HORROR: PELTS (2006)
  • Unavailable.

BD

MOTHER OF TEARS (2007)
  • (1)* Region B French release by Seven Sept. Mediocre image quality with grain reduction and edge enhancement likely baked into master; English 5.1 track provided but with forced French subtitles; extras reasonably plentiful but in French. Review
     
  • (2) Region ABC Japanese release by King Records. Image confirmed as 1080i and suffers from excessive sharpening; English 5.1 track provided with optional Japanese subtitles (thanks, Kannisto).
     
  • RECOMMENDATION: (1).

BD

GIALLO (2009)
  • (1) Region ??? Brazilian release by ???. Specs unavailable.
     
  • (2)* Region B Italian release by Dall'Angelo Pictures. Average/good image quality; English 5.1 track provided; extras practically non-existent. Review
     
  • (3) Region ?ABC Scandinavian (?Swedish) release by Atlantic (thanks, Toecutter). According to DVD Profiler, this disc is region free, has no extras apart from bonus trailers, and features a lossless English 5.1 track.
     
  • (4) Region ABC French release by AAA/MEP Video (thanks, Phil Q). Average/good image quality; English 5.1 track provided; extras practically non-existent. Appears to be equivalent to the Italian release in all but region coding and dubs offered.
 
25 Comments

1. Greg M said:

Be my husband?

(Posted on Friday, May 27, 2011 at 3:32 PM)

2. Miles said:

The English audio on the Japanese SUSPIRIA Bluray (which I owned breifly) is the same as on the AB DVD.

There is also a Japanese Bluray of MOTHER OF TEARS.

(Posted on Friday, May 27, 2011 at 4:10 PM)

3. Author Profile Page Michael said:

Greg:

Don't believe in marriage, sorry. :P


Miles:

Thanks for the info. I knew there was a Japanese release of MOTHER OF TEARS but for some reason didn't list it correctly. I've now added a note for the Japanese SUSPIRIA release confirming that the audio mix is the same as that of the AB DVD.

(Posted on Friday, May 27, 2011 at 4:14 PM)

4. Toecutter said:

There is a scandinavian release of 'Giallo' by Atlantic.

(Posted on Friday, May 27, 2011 at 4:27 PM)

5. Greg M said:

Well, marriage believes in you.

This is an awesome list. Plus it can't be said that you are biased, considering there's not one company that comes out unscathed on at least one release. :)

(Posted on Friday, May 27, 2011 at 5:23 PM)

6. Count Fosco said:

This is just what I've been wanting. Great stuff Michael. You deliver the goods for all us discerning high definition cinema fans once more.

(Posted on Friday, May 27, 2011 at 6:06 PM)

7. gasteropod said:

The Blue Underground versions of Inferno and Cat O' Nine Tails only have hard of hearing English subs rather than proper ones.

(Posted on Friday, May 27, 2011 at 6:22 PM)

8. Author Profile Page Michael said:

Toecutter and Gasteropod:

Thanks for the additions.


Greg and Count Fosco:

Thanks, guys.

(Posted on Friday, May 27, 2011 at 6:47 PM)

9. Phil Quail said:

Very helpful list, good work! I have at least one version of all the films available on Blu-ray (still waiting for "Cat O'Nine Tails"), but can't think of anything useful to add.

I must say I do find the forced subs on the French "Tenebrae" and "Mother of Tears" highly irritating. I always used to be able to defeat the forced subs on French DVDs.

(Posted on Friday, May 27, 2011 at 9:15 PM)

10. Neil said:

Nice work. But you should consider adding Jenifer & Pelts to the list - if Hitchcock can make it so can they. And the1080i shot Jenifer is readily available on bd.

(Posted on Saturday, May 28, 2011 at 8:55 AM)

11. Christopher D. Jacobson said:

I was wondering the other night how the Masters of Horror BDs fare. Was considering getting the ones Argento's episodes are on; I really like Jenifer a lot (haven't seen Pelts yet).

Only season one seems to be available on BD... Drat.

(Posted on Saturday, May 28, 2011 at 9:48 AM)

12. Neil said:

IMO, Pelts is MUCH better than Jenifer. I wish it was also available on blu ray.

(Posted on Saturday, May 28, 2011 at 11:04 AM)

13. Sundance said:

There is a German Blu-ray of the Stendhal Syndrome which was released last christmas by X-Rated. Audio is German only and I wonder if they just used the BU transfer...

http://shop.dtm.at/product_info.php?products_id=42640

(Posted on Sunday, May 29, 2011 at 2:39 AM)

14. Author Profile Page Michael said:

Neil:

JENIFER and PELTS now added. :)


Chris:

Personally I think JENIFER and PELTS and the worst and second-worst things Argento has ever put his name to respectively, but each to their own. And yeah, only the first season of MoH is on BD.


Sundance:

Thanks - now added. :)

(Posted on Sunday, May 29, 2011 at 1:18 PM)

15. Vincent Pereira said:

Quick note regarding STENDHAL: That film was mixed in 5.1 originally. It even has a Dolby Digital logo in the end credits, and Dolby Digital has been 5.1 for theatrical screenings from the get go.

Vincent

(Posted on Sunday, May 29, 2011 at 5:38 PM)

16. Author Profile Page Michael said:

Vincent:

Cheers for the correction. I do remember the Dolby Digital logo at the end of the film, and I believe we've discussed the situation before on this site. However, regardless of the original mix, there is some weirdness going on in the Italian multi-channel tracks on both this, the Blue Underground and Medusa DVDs that isn't present on the Italian stereo track on the latter. To avoid confusion, I've slightly reworded the section relating to STENDHAL's audio.

(Posted on Sunday, May 29, 2011 at 5:46 PM)

17. Greg M said:

Isn't it true that while the Italian track on BU's Stendhal dvd sounds like echo-ridden crap... the english track is actually missing pieces of dialogue? A true no-win situation.

(Posted on Sunday, May 29, 2011 at 6:28 PM)

18. Vincent Pereira said:

Michael:

I wonder if because STENDHAL was a fairly "early" 5.1 'international' sound mix, the weird echo isn't simply an example of the mixers not quite knowing what to do with the format at the time?

Vincent

(Posted on Monday, May 30, 2011 at 2:50 AM)

19. Adam Grikepelis said:

Hey Michael
thanks for the great list. if only every interesting filmmaker had a dedicated list like this.
any chance you could create links for each title to the relevant reviews/image captures that you've posted previously?

it's a shame about BU's Cat o Nine Tails - and their woeful excuse for English subs. I still don't get why they bother teasing us with the Italian track if they're not going to subtitle it properly

(Posted on Monday, May 30, 2011 at 5:05 PM)

20. Author Profile Page Michael said:

Greg:

That actually sounds familiar. Certainly, there are a couple of scenes that were never dubbed into English and are presented in Italian à la the hybrid track for DEEP RED... but I do vaguely remember someone (Vincent, maybe?) mentioning to me that there was a moment where the English track was completely devoid of dialogue when it should have been present. I think the film plays infinitely better in Italian than English, so that's the track I've always gone with, echo and all.


Vincent:

You could well be right, now that you mention it. Either way, the stereo track on the Italian DVD is far more pleasant to the ears in my opinion.


Adam:

Good thinking. I've added links... though reading some of my earlier reviews, I kinda want to go back and re-evaluate them. I don't think my overall ratings would change, but having seen a whole bunch of these titles certainly helps put the noise-like grain that's present to varying degrees on most of them (even, to an extent, TWO EVIL EYES) into perspective.

To be honest, I'm becoming more convinced than ever that there IS an electronic noise issue, but it's far less destructive on transfers like BIRD and DEEP RED where there's a degree of actual detail in the underlying image.

(Posted on Monday, May 30, 2011 at 10:12 PM)

21. Argento Fan said:

Received my Tenebrae Blu today from fnac--have to say it blows my old DVDs out of the water! Many thanks for doing the work that you do and keeping us posted on these new releases--never would've run across it otherwise!

(Posted on Monday, June 6, 2011 at 7:38 PM)

22. kannisto said:

The Japanese release of Inferno is in 1080p, not 1080i. Japanese releases of Suspiria and Mother of Tears are in 1080i though.

I have the Japanese "Trilogy box" (and a lot of other Argento releases on BD). I posted some screencaps of Inferno JP vs. UK here, also some screencaps comparing Japanese Mother of Tears to the French one there:

http://forums.highdefdigest.com/blu-ray-imports-subforum/107197-dario-argento-jp.html

Spec info for Japanese Inferno and Mother of Tears:

Inferno:
MPEG-4 AVC Video 24999 kbps 1080p / 23.976 fps
DD 2.0 English audio 448 kbps
+ Japanese audio tracks and optional Japanese subtitles

Mother of Tears:
MPEG-4 AVC Video 1080i60
Audio: English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 (16-bit)
+ Japanese audio tracks and optional Japanese subtitles

(Posted on Sunday, June 19, 2011 at 5:07 AM)

23. Author Profile Page Michael said:

Kannisto:

Thanks for the detailed information. I'll correct the entries for INFERNO and MOTHER OF TEARS accordingly.

(Posted on Monday, June 20, 2011 at 1:38 PM)

24. Phil Quail said:

There's now a French Blu-ray of GIALLO, released May 2011. French and English audio, French subtitles (presumably forced). For some unfathomable reason I have ordered a copy. More details to follow!

(Posted on Saturday, June 25, 2011 at 2:22 PM)

25. Author Profile Page Michael said:

Phil:

Thanks for the info, and for deciding to be the guinea pig on this release. :D I'll wait till I hear your thoughts and then update the post.

(Posted on Saturday, June 25, 2011 at 6:17 PM)

 
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