Patti Rocks: Limited Edition Site Exclusive – Fun City Editions (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: USA, 1988
Director: David Burton Morris
Writers: David Burton Morris, Chris Mulkey, John Jenkins, Karen Landry
Cast: Chris Mulkey, John Jenkins, Karen Landry, David Turk, Stephen Yoakam

Release Date: September 8th, 2026
Approximate Running Time: 86 Minutes 41 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: R
Sound: DTS-HD Mono English
Subtitles: English SDH
Region Coding: Region A
Retail Price: $30.00

"Twin Cities barge worker Billy (Chris Mulkey, First Blood) enlists his buddy Eddie (John Jenkins, Loose Ends) to accompany him on a night time road trip in the dead of winter to visit his out-of-town, pregnant girlfriend Patti Rocks (Karen Landry, The Personals). Billy hasn't told her that he's already married with two children and cannot afford another child or the disruption to his life. Billy is messed up enough for several thousand guys, while Eddie is understanding enough for two. And Patti--well, she straightens them both out." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.25/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "Long out of circulation, David Burton Morris’s Patti Rocks has been restored from a 4K scan of its original 35mm internegative for its worldwide Blu-ray premiere."

Patti Rocks comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 29.8 GB

Feature: 25.1 GB

The source is clean and free of any debris or imperfections. Flesh tones and colors look correct, image clarity and black levels are strong, compression is solid, and there are no issues with digital noise reduction.

Audio: 4.25/5

This release comes with one audio option, a DTS-HD mono mix in English with removable English SDH. The audio sounds clean, clear, and balanced, and ambient sounds are well-represented.

Extras:

Extras for this release include an image gallery with music from the film playing in the background, a theatrical trailer (3 minutes 2 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), an interview with executive producer Sam Grogg titled New Position: Patti Rocks (10 minutes 17 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with Sam Grogg titled The History of Film Dallas Pictures (15 minutes 25 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an isolated music track, an audio commentary with filmmakers David Burton Morris and Victoria Wozniak, a reversible cover art, a slipcover (this strictly limited deluxe set is exclusive to the FCE website), and a 16-page booklet (limited to the first pressing) with an interview with actor John Jenkin and cast & crew information.

Summary:

David Burton Morris co-wrote and directed Pattie Rocks. He’s most known for Purple Haze and Jersey Girl. Pattie Rocks is a continuation of Loose Ends, an earlier film directed by David Burton Morris. Actors Chris Mulkey and John Jenkins appear in both films.

Eddie gets a call during Christmas time from Billy, an old friend he hasn’t seen or heard from in six months. Billy likes to sleep around and has gotten his girlfriend pregnant. Looking for a way out, Billy calls in a favor and asks Eddie to go with him to talk to his girlfriend.

Patti Rocks is a film of two distinct halves. The first half revolves around two friends, Billy and Eddie, who go on a road trip to see Patti, Billy’s girlfriend. The second half introduces a third character, Patti, who interacts with Billy and Eddie. The first half is male-dominated, and it features vulgar dialogue that veers into misogynistic territory, while the second half subverts a lot of what was discussed in the first half when Patti is given a voice.

While Pattie Rocks is a film that clearly lays out its themes that it explores, one cannot overlook the role that its three leads play with their performances. The three leads all contributed to writing the screenplay. Chris Mulkey and John Jenkins are cast in the roles of Billy and Eddie. Billy is an arrogant character who thinks with his dick and not his brain, while Eddie is more level-headed. That said, the standout of the three leads is Karen Landry’s portrayal of Patti.

For a film that’s never flashy visually, the focal point is always its characters and the cast's performances. The narrative is essentially characters in conversations, which are always intimate and throughout; characters' insecurities are at the forefront and they often let them get the best of them. Patti Rocks excels in another area: its rawness enhances the authenticity of the word being spoken. The most surprising aspect of Patti Rocks is how well it employs humor. Ultimately, Patti Rocks is an exemplary drama about female empowerment that takes on toxic masculinity head-on.

Fun City Editions gives Patti Rocks a solid release that comes with a strong audio/video presentation and informative extras. Recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Graduation Day: Tromatic Special Edition – Troma Films (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: USA, 1981
Director: Herb Freed
Writers: Anne Marisse, Herb Freed, David Baughn
Cast: Christopher George, Patch Mackenzie, E.J. Peaker, Michael Pataki, Carmen Argenziano, Virgil Frye, Denise Cheshire, Bill Hufsey, Linnea Quigley, Vanna White, Ruth Ann Llorens, Tom Hintnaus

Release Date: September 8th, 2026
Approximate Running Time: 96 Minutes 44 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVCC
Rating: R
Sound: Dolby Digital Mono English
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $19.95

"It's just weeks before high school graduation and members of the track team are being mysteriously and gruesomely murdered, one at a time. When the team's star runner drops dead at the end of a championship meet, her sister Anne (Patch MacKenzie) comes to town and a series of grisly murders begin. Is Anne responsible? Or is it coach Michaels (Christopher George) who has been fired because of Laura's death? Perhaps it's the campus policeman who is disliked because of his over-zealous drug investigations? Or is it Laura's boyfriend, Kevin (E. Danny Murphy), who can't reconcile himself to Laura's death? You won't want to see Graduation Day alone!" - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 3.75/5

Graduation Day comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 35.8 GB

Feature: 21.7 GB

This release uses the same 4K restoration Vinegar Syndrome used for their 2014 Blu-ray release. Flesh tones and colors look correct, image clarity and black levels are strong, and there are no issues with compression or digital noise reduction.

Audio: 3.5/5

This release comes with one audio option, a Dolby Digital mono mix in English with removable English SDH. The track sounds clean, clear, and balanced.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a theatrical trailer (2 minutes 4 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), an archival introduction by Lloyd Kaufman (2 minutes 59 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an archival interview with actress Linnea Quigley (4 minutes 33 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an archival interview with editor Martin Jay Sadoff titled Cutting Class (7 minutes 14 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an archival interview with producer David Baughn titled Graduation Day Blues (11 minutes 28 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an archival interview with actress Patch Mackenzie titled Acting Out in School (8 minutes 42 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an archival interview with director Herb Freed titled Surviving the Class of ‘81 (12 minutes 16 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an archival audio commentary with David Baughn, and an archival audio commentary with The Hysteria Continues.

Other extras include Cannibal Lesbian Hoedown! (2 minutes 15 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), Innards! music video (1 minute 50 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), Radiation March (54 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), Troma in Times Square (1 minute 1 second, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), TA in 4K! (1 minute 10 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), and trailers for Shakespeare’s Shitstorm, Eating Miss Campbell, Curse of the Werewolf, Sweet Meats, Kill Dolly Doll, The Toxic Avenger, Class of Nume ‘Em High, Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D., and Tromeo & Juliet. 

Summary:

Herb Freed directed Graduation Day. His other notable films are Haunts, Beyond Evil, and Tomboy. Graduation Day was made in 1981, what is widely regarded as the most prolific year for the slasher film. While Graduation Day was made on a modest budget, it is one of the more successful slasher films at the box office.

A psychopath targets a member of the track team after one of their teammates dies tragically during a track meet.

The premise takes on a familiar theme: revenge. The narrative does a great job balancing exposition with moments of carnage. When it comes to the kills scenes, they are not that gory, and many of them abruptly end. That said, despite having the core ingredients one expects from a slasher film, the narrative stalk and kill approach is very predictable.

While none of the performances are going to win any awards, the entire cast are enjoyable in their roles. The standout performance is Patch Mackenzie (Death Dimension), who portrays Anne Ramstead, the older sister of the young girl who died during a track meet. Her character has more depth than the rest, and she takes advantage of that with her performance. Rounding out the cast are several recognizable faces: Christopher George (City of the Living Dead), Michael Pataki (Dead & Buried), Linnea Quigley (Night of the Demons) and Vanna White (‘Wheel of Fortune’).

One of the tropes of the slasher film is misdirection, notably when it comes to concealing the killer's identity. Graduation Day’s attempts at misdirection are not as clever as they want to be, and it quickly becomes clear who the killer is. When it comes to the murder death set pieces, they are always creative, with each victim killed in a different way. Ultimately, despite its shortcomings, Graduation Day does succeed in one regard: it provides the audiences what it wants.

Graduation Day makes its way back to Blu-ray via a first-rate release from Troma Films that comes with a strong audio/video presentation and a wealth of extras.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Corruption: Limited Edition – Radiance Films (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Italy/France, 1963
Director: Mauro Bolognini
Writers: Fulvio Gicca Palli, Ugo Liberatore
Cast: Alain Cuny, Rosanna Schiaffino, Jacques Perrin, Isa Miranda, Filippo Scelzo, Ennio Balbo, Anna Glori

Release Date: September 14th, 2026 (UK), September 15th, 2026 (USA)
Approximate Running Time: 82 Minutes 54 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: 12 (UK), NR (USA)
Sound: LPCM Mono Italian
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region A,B
Retail Price: £14.99 (UK), $39.95 (USA)

"After finishing his studies in Switzerland, the shy and innocent Stefano (Jacques Perrin, Girl with a Suitcase) decides to become a priest. His father, Leonardo (Alain Cuny, La dolce vita), a rich publishing magnate, disapproves: he wants his son to take over his empire someday. When he invites Stefano on a yacht trip together with his mistress (Rosanna Schiaffino), Leonardo’s intention is not to reconcile with his son..." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.5/5

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, "Corruption was restored in 2K by Movietime. The restoration was delivered to Radiance as a high definitiono digital file."

Corruption comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 29.4 GB

Feature: 24.1 GB

While some minor debris remains, the source usually looks excellent. Flesh tones look healthy, contrast, image clarity, and compression are solid, black levels are strong, and the image retains an organic appearance.

Audio: 4/5

This release comes with one audio option, an LPCM mono mix in Italian with removable English subtitles. Although there is some mild hiss, dialogue always comes through clearly, everything sounds balanced, and ambient sounds are well-represented.

Extras:

Extras for this release include an archival interview with producers Alfredo Bini and Manolo Bolognini, son of Mauro Bolognini (10 minutes 48 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Italian with removable English subtitles), an interview with film critic and programmer Adrian Wootton (24 minutes 34 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), reversible cover art, removable OBI strip leaving packaging free of certificates and markings and a 20-page booklet (limited to 3000 copies) with cast & crew information, an essay titled After the Bloom written by Marco Natoli and information about the transfer.

Summary:

Mauro Bolognini directed Corruption. He’s known for Young Husbands, The Big Night, From a Roman Balcony, The Lovemakers, Careless, and Il bell'Antonio.

A young man's father derails his desire to enter the priesthood because he wants to someday take over the family business.

At the heart of Corruption is a story about spiritual fulfillment in a world consumed by materialism. Stefano is a young man who comes from an affluent family. When it comes to his material needs, someone has always taken care of him. Wanting more out of life, he sees joining the priesthood as a way to find fulfillment he cannot find elsewhere. His father is the polar opposite and is determined to make Stefano conform to the life he’s mapped out for him.

When the film begins, Stefano is a pure soul, and it is an act of deception that corrupts him. Stefano reluctantly goes on a sailing trip with his father. When they arrive, Stefano is angered that his father has brought someone along, a young woman, his mistress. From there, his father, with the help of the young woman, set in motion a plot to seduce Stefano. Their act of deception succeeds, igniting Stefano's canal desires.

All around, the performances are excellent, especially Alain Cuny (La Dolce Vita) and Jacques Perrin (Cinema Paradiso) in the roles of father and son. Alain Cuny’s portrayal of Leonardo, the overbearing father, is pitch-perfect. Jacques Perrin delivers an exemplary performance of a conflicted character who feels trapped in his current life. Another performance of note is Rosanna Schiaffino's (The Killer Reserved Nine Seats) portrayal of Adrianna. She delivers a performance that more than fulfills the role of an object of desire.

Corruption is a dialogue-driven film; its well-crafted narrative does a superb job drawing you in and holding your attention as it builds to an exemplary finale. There are a few striking moments visually, the scenes where Adrianna seduces Stefano on the boat and a scene where an employee of Stefano's father’s company jumps to their death after being accused of stealing from it. There are two lines of dialogue spoken by Stefano’s father that perfectly sum up corruption: “There are two kinds of morality. Those who command and those who obey.” Ultimately, Corruption is an extraordinary exploitation of desire and faith whose moment of truth will crush you.

Corruption gets an excellent release from Radiance Films that comes with a strong audio/video presentation and insightful extras. Recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

The 5-Man Army - Warner Archive (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Italy, 1969
Director: Don Taylor
Writers: Marc Richards, Dario Argento
Cast: Peter Graves, James Daly, Bud Spencer, Nino Castelnuovo, Tetsurō Tanba, Claudio Gora, Daniela Giordano, Annabella Andreoli, Carlo Alighiero, Giacomo Rossi Stuart, Marino Masé

Release Date: May 26th, 2026
Approximate Running Time: 110 minutes 23 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVCC
Rating: NR
Sound: DTS-HD Mono English
Subtitles: English SDH
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $24.98

"The 5-Man Army is an action-packed spaghetti western about mercenaries with a mission to rob a trainload of gold. Make that a suicide mission, because this train is heavily armed with troops and machine guns, and traveling a route guarded by more soldiers. Peter Graves stars in the role of the Dutchman, leader of a handpicked commando squad consisting of a strongman, an explosives expert, and a Samurai swordsman." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 5/5

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, "New 4K restoration from the original camera negative."

The 5-Man Army comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 30.2 GB

Feature: 29.5 GB

The source looks excellent; flesh tones and colors look correct, image clarity, black levels, and compression are solid, and the image retains an organic appearance.

Audio: 5/5

This release comes with one audio option, a DTS-HD mono mix in English with removable English SDH. The track sounds excellent; dialogue always comes through clearly; everything sounds balanced and robust when it should.

Extras:

Extras for this release are limited to a theatrical trailer (2 minutes 7 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles). 

Summary:

Don Taylor directed The 5-Man Army. He’s known for The Island of Dr. Moreau (1977), Damien: Omen II, and The Final Countdown.

A mercenary collaborating with Mexican revolutionaries puts together a team of five men to rob a train carrying $500,000 in gold.

While the spaghetti westerns were predominantly directed by Italian filmmakers, The 5-Man Army was one of a handful of films that were directed by U.S. and UK filmmakers. Other notable spaghetti westerns directed by U.S. and UK filmmakers are Red Sun, A Man Called Sledge, The Man Called Noon, and Chino. Dario Argento, a filmmaker who gained prominence through his work in the giallo genre, co-wrote The 5-Man Army.

Set during the Mexican Revolution, The 5-Man Army follows familiar spaghetti western tropes, notably men driven by their own personal gain and who are willing to take on insurmountable odds to obtain it. The 5 men who make up the ragtag group of mercenaries have served time for various crimes; they are all victims of circumstances and not your typical criminals. That said, when their moments of truth come, it offers them a chance at redemption for their past crimes.

While spaghetti westerns are known for their casts that are made up of actors and actresses from a multitude of countries, The 5-Man Army has one of the most diverse casts, Italy, US, and Japan. Peter Graves (Mission Impossible) is cast in the role of the Dutchman, the ringleader of the group of mercenaries who rob the military train carrying gold. The most notable performance is Bud Spencer (They Call Me Trinity), who portrays Mesito, a mercenary with a furious appetite. It should be noted that The 5 Man Army is a rare example where Bud Spencer provides his voice for the English-language track. Other notable cast members are Tetsurō Tanba (You Only Live Twice), Daniela Giordano (Four Times That Night), Nino Castelnuovo (Camille 2000), and Giacomo Rossi Stuart (Kill, Baby, Kill).

The opening setup does an excellent job setting the tone. From there, the narrative is very effective at building momentum with a series of tense moments that culminate with one final surprise. The action sequences are all well-executed, especially the main set piece, the train robbery. Ennio Morricone (The Good, the Bad and the Ugly) delivers another superlative score that greatly enhances the mood. Ultimately, The 5-Man Army is a solid spaghetti western that fans of this genre are sure to enjoy.

Warner Archive gives The 5-Man Army a solid audio/video presentation. Recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

I Knew Her Well – The Criterion Collection (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Italy/France/West Germany, 1965
Director: Antonio Pietrangeli
Writers: Antonio Pietrangeli, Ruggero Maccari, Ettore Scola
Cast: Stefania Sandrelli, Mario Adorf, Jean-Claude Brialy, Joachim Fuchsberger, Nino Manfredi, Enrico Maria Salerno, Ugo Tognazzi, Karin Dor, Franco Fabrizi, Turi Ferro, Robert Hoffmann, Franco Nero, Véronique Vendell

Release Date: February 23rd, 2016
Approximate Running Time: 115 Minutes 36 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVCC
Rating: NR
Sound: LPCM Mono Italian
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region A
Retail Price: $39.95

"Following the gorgeous, seemingly liberated Adriana (Divorce Italian Style’s Stefania Sandrelli) as she chases her dreams in the Rome of La dolce vita, I Knew Her Well is at once a delightful immersion in the popular music and style of Italy in the sixties and a biting critique of its sexual politics and the culture of celebrity. Over a series of intimate episodes, just about every one featuring a different man, a new hairstyle, and an outfit to match, the unsung Italian master Antonio Pietrangeli, working from a script he cowrote with Ettore Scola, composes a deft, seriocomic character study that never strays from its complicated central figure." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 5/5

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, "This new 4K digital restoration was created in partnership with the Cineteca di Bologna from the 35mm original camera negative and a 35mm fine-grain positive. The original monaural soundtrack was remastered at 24-bit from the soundtrack negative. Clicks, thumps, hiss, hum, and crackle were manually removed using Pro Tools HD and iZotope RX4."

I Knew Her Well comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 40.3 GB

Feature: 31.5 GB

The source looks excellent; image clarity, contrast, black levels, and compression are solid, and the image always looks organic.

Audio: 5/5

This release comes with one audio option, an LPCM mono mix in Italian with removable English subtitles. The audio sounds excellent; dialog always comes through clearly, everything sounds balanced, and range-wise ambient sounds are well-presented.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a theatrical trailer (3 minutes 21 seconds, Dolby Digital mono with text in Italian and non-removable English subtitles), Stefania Sandrelli’s audition (5 minutes 17 seconds, Dolby Digital mono Italian with removable English subtitles), an interview with actress Stefania Sandrelli (9 minutes 24 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Italian with removable English subtitles), an interview with film scholar Luca Barattoni, who discusses the career of director Antonio Pietrangeli (21 minutes 51 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English with removable English subtitles for Italian film clips), and a 12-page leaflet with an essay titled City Gril written by Alexander Stille and information about the transfer.

Summary:

Antonio Pietrangeli directed I Knew Her Well. He’s known for The Bachelor, Adua and Her Friends, Ghosts of Rome, The Girl from Parma, The Visit, and The Magnificent Cuckold.

A naive country girl becomes jaded after moving to Rome to become a movie star.

I Knew Her Well offers a damning critique of the film industry by examining how it exploits women, specifically targeting their vulnerabilities. Other themes explored are existential emptiness, gender dynamics, and celebrity culture. The narrative presents different aspects of Adrianna's personality, but it only reveals her surface-level traits and fails to provide her with an inner voice. That said, the film's title, I Knew Her Well, is ultimately ironic since none of the characters who interact or anyone who watches the film ever gets to really know her.

The narrative revolves around a young woman named Adriana and a series of encounters she has with men who exploit her and treat her like a disposable object. While Adriana is a seemingly happy person who is full of life, she’s empty inside, craving a real emotional connection. After experiencing a series of humiliations, Adrianna ultimately concludes that ending her life is the only logical option for her.

The events that unfold are better described as a series of vignettes. The narrative is perfectly executed, giving key moments time to resonate, and it's always engaging as it builds to its jarring, soul-crushing finale that stays with you. Another area where the narrative excels is its pacing. From the moment we first see Adrianna sunbathing on the beach, through to her death, her transformation is dramatic.

The heart and soul of I Knew Her Well is Stefania Sandrelli’s (The Conformist) extraordinary portrayal of Adrianna. She was only 19 years old at the time, and she delivers a performance that shows depth beyond someone who has twice her life experience. When it comes to the rest of the performances, they all rise to the occasion. Rounding the cast are several recognizable faces portraying the men in Adrianna’s life, like Mario Adorf (The Tin Drum), Jean-Claude Brialy (The Bride Wore Black), Enrico Maria Salerno (The Bird with the Crystal Plumage), Ugo Tognazzi (The Ape Woman), Robert Hoffmann (Spasmo), and Franco Nero (Django).

While Antonio Pietrangeli had firmly established himself as one of the prominent directors working in Italian cinema during the 1960s, I Knew Her Well was a significant leap beyond the films he made before it. His instincts throughout I Knew Her Well are flawless. Although there are many visually striking moments in I Knew Her Well, the visuals still never overshadow the performances. The use of Italian pop songs instead of a traditional score is an inspired choice that greatly enhances the mood. Ultimately, I Knew Her Well is an exceptional film that explores the darker sides of humanity and the pitfalls of fame.

I Knew Her Well gets an exceptional release from The Criterion Collection that comes with a solid audio/video presentation and insightful extras. Highly recommended.

 

Written by Michael Den Boer

Adua and Her Friends - Raro Video (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Italy, 1960
Director: Antonio Pietrangeli
Writers: Ruggero Maccari, Tullio Pinelli, Ettore Scola, Antonio Pietrangeli
Cast: Simone Signoret, Sandra Milo, Emmanuelle Riva, Gina Rovere, Claudio Gora, Ivo Garrani, Gianrico Tedeschi, Marcello Mastroianni

Release Date: January 20th, 2015
Approximate Running Time: 125 minutes 7 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / VC-1
Rating: NR
Sound: LPCM Mono Italian
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $29.95

"Four prostitutes forced to fend for themselves when a new law closes the bordellos of Rome. They pool their savings to open a trattoria, but find they cannot get a license. A prominent fixer with connections obtains the license for them, on the condition that they conduct their old business upstairs and pay him an exorbitant monthly fee." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 3.25/5

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, "New HD transfer digitally restored."

Adua and Her Friends comes on a 25 GB single layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 22.7 GB

Feature: 21.3 GB

While this new transfer is an improvement over Raro’s DVD release, it suffers from sharpening and scanner noise. Flesh tones look healthy, image clarity and black levels are strong, and there are no issues with compression.

Audio: 5/5

This release comes with one audio option, a LPCM mono mix in Italian with English subtitles. The track sounds excellent; dialogue always comes through clearly, everything sounds balanced, and the score sounds appropriately robust. The English subtitles can only be turned on or off in the setup menu, not during playback.

Extras:

Extras for this release include an introduction by film critic Maurizio Porro (6 minutes 57 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Italian with non-removable English subtitles), a segment titled Girandola 1910 from Amori di mezzo secolo directed by Antonio Pietrangeli (10 minutes 31 seconds, 1.37:1 aspect ratio, 480 interlaced, Dolby Digital mono Italian with removable English subtitles), a slipcover, and a 12-page booklet with an essay titled prospectus written by Bruno Di Marino, a text bio, and a filmography for Antonio Pietrangeli and quotes about the film from various critics.

Summary:

Antonio Pietrangeli directed Adua and Her Friends. He’s known for The Bachelor, Ghosts of Rome, The Girl from Parma, The Visit, The Magnificent Cuckold, and I Knew Her Well.

A new law leads to the closure of all legalized brothels, making all prostitution illegal. Now out of work and with nowhere to live, four prostitutes pool together their money and open a restaurant in the remote countryside. Unfortunately, their tainted past intersects with the new life they are trying to forge. Down, but not out, they reach out to an old associate, who helps them secure the license they need to open their restaurant. Only in order for them to pay this associate back are they forced back into the life they are trying to leave behind.

The opening setup does a phenomenal job introducing the four main characters and the life they are leaving behind. From there, the narrative shifts into a character-driven melodrama that provides each of these four characters' stories an ample amount of time to develop. The narrative hits its stride after it moves away from the brothel, and it effectively builds to an exemplary finale where the four main characters' lives have come full circle.

Aqua is the eldest member of this quartet, and she often serves as the mother-like figure, who makes sure that everything that needs to be done is taken care of. Lolita is a free-spirited flirt who has a boyfriend that often tries to get her involved in his latest financial schemes. Marina is the most unpredictable of these four characters. She often suffers from mood swings. She is also the only character who has a child. Rounding out this quartet of characters is Milly, whose naivety leads to her losing her one chance at happiness.

Adua and Her Friends features a remarkable cast who are excellent in their roles, especially the four leads: Simone Signoret (Les diaboliques), Adua and her three friends; Sandra Milo (Juliet of the Spirits); Lolita, Emmanuelle Riva (Hiroshima Mon Amour); Marilina and Gina Rovere (Big Deal on Madonna Street); and Milly. Another performance of note is Marcello Mastroianni's (8 ½) understated portrayal of Piero, a playboy hustler, who becomes involved with Adua.

There is not an area where this film does not excel. The premise is superbly realized, and the narrative is flawlessly executed. Another strength of the narrative is how well it holds your attention for its 2-hour-plus duration. While the visuals mostly let the performances be the focal point, there are a handful of striking moments. Piero Piccioni’s (The 10th Victim) score perfectly reinforces the mood.

While Adua and Her Friends is a story about four prostitutes, there is no nudity or sexual acts by these four characters in the entire film. They are presented as well-rounded characters with unique personalities and aspirations of a life beyond the one they are trapped in. That said, for every action, there are consequences, and ultimately it is from our actions that destiny is forged. Here lies the underlying theme that runs throughout Adua and Her Friends. Ultimately, Adua and Her Friends is an extraordinary critique of how society exploits marginalized people.

Adua and Her Friends get a disappointing release from Raro Video.

Written by Michael Den Boer