A Blade in the Dark
(Lamberto Bava; 1983)
(Anchor Bay Entertainment)
-Overview-
Bruno, a music composer is hired to score a new horror film and rents an isolated villa so that he may concentrate on his work. When several young women are gruesomely butchered in the house Bruno is compelled to discover who the killer is.
This is a perfect example of a giallo done right. Lamberto Bava’s second effort treats the viewer to some really lush visuals and brutal killing sequences, along with a compelling story. Beautifully shot and well put together, this is in my opinion one of Bava’s best films. Interestingly enough, Bava made this film as a result of his debut effort Macabre garnering lukewarm acceptance theatrically, where it was criticized as being not violent enough. Bava decided to take his next film in the opposite direction and make it extremely violent and bloody, which A Blade in the Dark certainly is. Ironically, Lamberto Bava detests the subgenre stating that he feels sick as soon as he sees the blade. Essential viewing.
-Sound-
Good sound quality. Dolby Digital Mono.
-Picture-
An excellent transfer from the original vault materials, although some artifacting is present. Widescreen 1.85:1 (enhanced for 16x9 TVs).
-Special Features-
- Theatrical trailer
- Talent bios
- Behind the Blade with Director Lamberto Bava and Writer Dardano Sacchetti
-Packaging-
Standard DVD keep case. Included is an insert with original poster artwork.
Sound: 6
Picture: 6
Packaging: 6
(Rating scale is out of 10, with 1 being the worst and 10 the best)