Deep Red

Deep Red ,(aka Profondo Rosso,the Hatchet Murders). Review of Arrow video 2disc DVD from 2010 + Bluray & other editions On Arrows 2disc edition ,Disc1 has the longer Argentos' 'directors choice' version(originally just shown in Italian cinemas)-with options for Italian or English audio (with optional English subtitles). As with previous editions if you wish to watch with English audio this extended version has sections that weren't dubbed into English ,so these return to Italian with English subtitles .The print is excellent and the Italian comes in 5.1 & 2 channel audio ,the English language audio in 2 channel . On this disc is a very good commentary by Thomas Rostock that is packed with opinions & astute observations + U.S. & Italian trailers (the Italian being a study in unnerving style), also included is a 19 min chat with Daria Nicolodi ,co-star & former partner of Dario Argento who has his own(13min) feature. It's interesting to see how they view Deep Red & other films they've worked on and what they agree(and disagree) on .These mini docs feature well presented scenes from relevant films .To finish ,a 14 min feature with a pleasant Claudio Simonetti of the group Goblin(s) who provide the stunning & original score,(George Gasilini also scores some scenes) that's as vital to the films mood & pacing as the editing & cinematography. Disc2 features the 'international print', at around 100 mins it's some 20mins shorter than Argentos' cut. I think this is a tighter & stronger version of the film with more tension & mostly losing just some 'humorous' set pieces, some non essential lines & an earlier introduction to the likeable main actor played by David Hemmings. This version is in English (with optional English subtitles) in stereo ,the print quality is good. Disc2 also has(yet another!) extended promotional for the Profondo Rosso shop in Rome with an enthusiastic Luigi Cozzi (director of 'Contamination',a rather odd addition to the original DPP banned list). Like many people I prefer films where the languages spoken actually match the 'real' languages the characters would use, but I find this film (like most of Argento's) doesn't suffer if you choose the 'English option'. The films are presented in '2.35:1 anamorphic:Techniscope' (a filming process used by Sergio Leone & in many other Italian productions). Thie 'limited edition' DVD/bluray package comes with a 2 sided poster(with an original & new image), a short but interesting booklet by Alan Jones(author of 'Profondo Argento') and a reversible sleeve with choice of 4 covers & a slipcase. So some decent extras to go with possibly the high point of the Gialli & Dario Argentos' career ,but a shame that a film of this quality, that's far beyond 'cult curiosity' that Arrow haven't made an ultimate documentary about its place in the horror/mystery pantheon and beyond. In comparison,for example with the thorough job they did on Lucio Fulcis 2disc 'City of the living dead'. (The recent rereleases of Argentos 'Tenebrae', 'Crystal plumage' & others have much more in-depth features). Of the various other editions,the more recent 'red cover' Arrow 1disc editions in bluray & DVD have the film in its longer Version. The 'yellow cover' Arrow 1disc DVD appears to have the shorter 'international print' .And there is a 3disc 'limited edition' bluray/DVD/CD with the soundtrack,postcards & other extras. The Arrow Bluray 2disc has all the above & the Blue Underground Bluray 1disc has both versions of the film,with different extras (but not Rostocks commentary),and there are other versions available out there. If you haven't seen this film ,I would urge you to - you don't have to know what a Giallo is or know a Martini from Sergio Martino... This is a very good film available at good prices if you look around, & I don't think you'll be disappointed. Though I would say if possible get the two disc or Bluray with the Thomas Rostock commentary(only available on the longer film).If you just get one version of the film I would recommend the shorter(around 100mins) 'international print'......

This three disc set is excellent. Arrow has produced this with loving care. The packaging is very good with lots of lobby cards and a poster. There are lots of interesting extras to complement the film. Having the soundtrack CD is welcome though it is very repetitive and would have been better with some editing. I had forgotten just how amazing this film is. It is beautifully assembled with some first class set pieces: Argento was moving away from telling stories to film as opera with grand scenes. You can clearly see where his magnificent film ‘Suspiria’ came from. Great climatic sequences. The photography is elegant and the choice of settings very well chosen. It has a deliciously sleazy air to it in the voyeuristic murder scenes that are intentionally very unrealistic with their fake blood oozing out. However, this is not mainstream and is not a horror film as most know so it is not for everyone: many people would dismiss it. Much has been made of watching the uncut film in Italian on disc 1. Italian films in the 70s were made without any live sound recorded and all post dubbed – very badly usually with z rate American voice actors. In this film the cast were delivering their lines in English so that should be the version to watch, I recommend, even with the poor dubbing. Having watched the uncut version and the shorter export version on disc 2, I think that the export version works best as it removes most of the unnecessary flirting between the two leads that is cringe-worthy in parts with humour that mis-fires. The shorter version is not censored. Apparently this tighter cut was approved by the director.

Deep Red Blu-ray Profondo rosso Arrow | 1975 | 127 min | Rated BBFC: 18 | Jan 03, 2011 Large: Front Back Add to collection Set price tracking Become a fan! Video Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video resolution: 1080p Aspect ratio: 2.35:1 Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1 Audio Italian: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 Italian: Dolby Digital 2.0 English: Dolby Digital 2.0 Subtitles English Discs 50GB Blu-ray Disc Two-disc set (2 BDs) Packaging Slipcover in original pressing Playback Region free There are four audio tracks on this Blu-ray release: Italian DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, Italian Dolby Digital 2.0, English Dolby Digital 2.0 (on Disc 1) and English Dolby Digital 2.0 (on Disc 2). For the record, Arrow Films have provided optional English subtitles for both the Director's Cut and the International Theatrical Cut of Profondo Rosso. When turned on, they appear inside the image frame. The Italian DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is excellent. The bass is surprisingly potent, the rear channels very intelligently used, and the high-frequencies not overdone. There is a wonderful range of nuanced dynamics as well, giving Goblin's outstanding soundtrack quite a boost. The dialog is stable, clean, and relatively easy to follow (the dubs included). The English Dolby Digital 2.0 isn't terribly disappointing but it isn't overly impressive either. The dialog is fairly easy to follow, but the dynamic intensity from the terrific Italian DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is completely gone. LOVE this FILM...... !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hola, gran disco blu ray de doble disco, con la versión larga de la película y la versión más corta. Algunas entrevistas en italiano y una en inglés. Hice una excelente compra.

Excelente edición, la remasterizacion es impecable. Me fascinó ver esta película con un formato tan nítido. PD: El servicio de FedEx es terrible, nunca me llegan los pedidos. Estoy harto de su servicio de paqueteria.

tres bonne edition,zone 2,version integrale et surtout sous titres français!!! cette edition est relativement difficile a trouver mais la qualité est la. pour une fois le visuel du boitier correspond aux presentations de l'epoque contrairement aux editions françaises qui sont affreuses(suspiria et inferno dont les affiches originales sont magnifiques ont pris une sacree claque chez nous!!!).

I love Argento's films and this is one of my favs. Blue Underground did a wonderful job with the transfer and this has the best soundtrack with any horror film ever made in my opinion. I can't get enough of the soundtrack. The audio is booming at times, which gives it a theatre feel. I think they wanted the the soundtrack to really boom out of your speakers and it does. Sometimes it's a bit jarring but awesome as well. If you haven't seen this film and like Italian Giallo's you are really missing out. On a side note check out the Italian prog rock band Goblin who did the soundtrack. If you're into Prog Rock and have never heard these guys you are doing yourself a disservice.

Sono felice di aver trovato questa edizione inglese di Deep Red / Profondo Rosso. La masterizzazione è eccellente, le immagini nitide e la poca grana presente nelle scene notturne è più che giustificata ed in linea con l'epoca del film. Nella versione Regno Unito è presente la traccia audio in Italiano, e anche quella in Inglese (ad eccezione di alcune scene restaurate, per cui l'audio torna in Italiano essendo andato perduto l'originale audio - il film è stato girato in Inglese). Tutti questi aspetti sono debitamente commentati nei menu del disco. Non ho visionato gli speciali, ma il Blu-Ray mi ha convinto!