Confessions of a Police Captain: Limited Edition – Radiance Films (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Italy, 1971
Director: Damiano Damiani
Writers: Damiano Damiani, Salvatore Laurani, Fulvio Gicca Palli
Cast: Franco Nero, Martin Balsam, Marilù Tolo, Claudio Gora, Luciano Catenacci, Giancarlo Prete, Arturo Dominici, Michele Gammino, Adolfo Lastretti, Nello Pazzafini

Release Date: April 20th, 2026 (UK), April 21st, 2026 (USA)
Approximate Running Time: 104 Minutes 12 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: 15 (UK), NR (USA)
Sound: LPCM Mono Italian, LPCM Mono English
Subtitles: English, English SDH
Region Coding: Region A,B
Retail Price: £14.99 (UK), $39.95 (USA)

"In Palermo, Sicily, seasoned police captain Bonavia (Martin Balsam, 12 Angry Men) orders the release of a criminally insane inmate—then watches him set out to assassinate a local construction magnate. When the plan backfires, Bonavia faces the scrutiny of young and idealistic district attorney Traini (Franco Nero, Django)." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 5/5

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, “Confessions of a Police Captain was restored in 2K and supplied to Radiance as a high-definition file.”

Confessions of a Police Captain comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 46.1 GB

Feature: 30.2 GB

While the source for Filmart’s Blu-ray was in excellent shape, this new transfer from Radiance Films is a solid upgrade and easily the best Confessions of a Police Captain has ever looked on home media. Flesh tones look healthy; colors are nicely saturated; image clarity, contrast, black levels, and compression are solid; and the image always looks organic.

Audio: 4.25/5 (LPCM Mono English), 4.5/5 (LPCM Mono Italian)

This release comes with two audio options, a LPCM mono mix in Italian and a LPCM mono mix in English. Both tracks sound clean, clear, and balanced; ambient sounds and the score are well represented. Included are removable English subtitles for the Italian language track, removable English SDH for the English language track, and removable English subtitles for Italian text when watching the English language track.

Extras:

Extras for this release include an image gallery (78 images—lobby cards/stills/Japanese press book/posters), an interview with editor Antonio Sicilianoi (26 minutes 49 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Italian with removable English subtitles), an interview with actor Michele Gammino (22 minutes 47 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Italian with removable English subtitles), an interview with actor Franco Nero (29 minutes 15 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Italian with removable English subtitles), an interview with film score expert Lovely Jon who discusses Riz Ortolani’s score (31 minutes, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), reversible cover art, removable OBI strip leaving packaging free of certificates and markings and a 24-page booklet (limited to 3000 copies) cast & crew information, an archival interview Damiano Damiani titled Justice is Never Neutral, conducted by Gérard Langlos, an archival interview Damiano Damiani conducted by Guy Braucourt, and information about the transfer.

Summary:

Damiano Damiani directed Confessions of a Police Captain. His notable films include The Witch (La strega in amore), A Bullet for the General, The Most Beautiful Wife (La moglie più bella), The Day of the Owl, A Complicated Girl, The Case Is Closed, Forget It, A Man on His Knees, and How to Kill a Judge.

Although Confessions of a Police Captain addresses many themes associated with Poliziotteschi cinema, it predates films like Execution Squad, which would later serve as a template for the genre. At the heart of Confessions of a Police Captain is a morality tale that revolves around two characters, a jaded police commissioner named Giacomo Bonavia and a deputy district attorney named Traini, who’s yet to be jaded or corrupted by the system. What distinguishes Confessions of a Police Captain from other films with similar themes is its focus on the characters of Bonavia and Traini. In Confessions of a Police Captain, their interactions are the focal point, not the surrounding criminal activities.

Damiano Damiani explored a range of film genres throughout his career, never conforming to genre clichés. His filmography is characterized by a desire to take on contemporary issues, providing insightful social commentary. In Confessions of a Police Captain, he highlights a broken system that fails to address the underlying problems.

As impressive as all the performances are, the heart and soul of Confessions of a Police Captain lie in the dynamic portrayals of its two leads: Franco Nero as deputy district attorney Traini and Martin Balsam (Psycho, Two Evil Eyes) as police commissioner Giacomo Bonavia. The scenes they share are captivating, showcasing their strong chemistry. This dynamic is especially evident in their cat-and-mouse game, where Bonavia consistently remains one step ahead of Traini.

While there are no car chases or other overtly dramatic Poliziotteschi elements, that doesn’t mean that Confessions of a Police Captain lacks the intensity that defines Poliziotteschi cinema. From its opening moments to its unforgettable finale, Confessions of a Police Captain is a film that rarely gives you a chance to catch your breath.

Confessions of a Police Captain gets an exceptional release from Radiance Films that comes with a solid audio/video presentation and insightful extras. Highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

The Cat and the Canary – Kino Lorber (UHD/Blu-ray Combo)

Theatrical Release Date: USA, 1927
Director: Paul Leni
Writers: Robert F. Hill, Alfred A. Cohn, Walter Anthony, Edward J. Montagne
Cast: Laura La Plante, Creighton Hale, Forrest Stanley, Tully Marshall, Gertrude Astor, Flora Finch, Arthur Edmund Carewe, Martha Mattox, George Siegmann, Lucien Littlefield

Release Date: October 28th, 2025
Approximate Running Time: 84 Minutes 25 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 Aspect Ratio / 2160 Progressive / HEVC / H.265
Rating: NR
Sound: DTS-HD 5.1 With English Intertitles, DTS-HD Stereo With English Intertitles
Subtitles: N/A
Region Coding: Region Free (4K UHD), Region A (Blu-ray)
Retail Price: $44.95

"A decaying mansion and a stormy night provide the archetypal setting for mystery and chaos when a pack of greedy relatives gather for the reading of a twenty-year-old will. But before the West fortune can be handed down, the family must endure a night in the cavernous manor, unnerved by the news that an escaped lunatic is at large." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4/5 (4K UHD), 3.75/5 (Blu-ray)

Here’s the information given about the transfer, “Brand new UHD/SDR master by Photoplay – A 4K restoration from original nitrate prints."

The Cat and the Canary comes on a 66 GB dual layer 4K UHD.

Disc Size: 57.6 GB

Feature: 55.7 GB

Kino Lorber’s release uses a different source than what Eureka Video used for their 2024 Blu-ray release. Besides using alternate takes, Kino Lorber’s release uses one color tint for the duration, while Eureka Video’s Blu-ray used two, one for day and the other for night. Kino Lorber’s release has more source-related debris and opens with a 4 1/2-minute overture.

The Cat and the Canary comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 30 GB

Feature: 24.5 GB

This Blu-ray uses the same master that is used for the 4K UHD disc.

Audio: 5/5 (Both Audio Tracks)

This release comes with two audio options, a DTS-HD 5.1 with English intertitles and a DTS-HD stereo with English intertitles. Both audio tracks sound clear and balanced.

Extras:

Extras on the 4K UHD disc include an audio commentary with film historian David Del Valle and silent film expert Randy Haberkamp and an audio commentary with film historian Anthony Slide.

Extras on the Blu-ray disc include a short film directed by Paul Leni titled Rebus-Film No. 1 (15 minutes 25 seconds, 1.33:1 aspect ratio, DTS-HD stereo with English intertitles), an audio commentary with David Del Valle and Randy Haberkamp and an audio commentary with Anthony Slide.

Other extras on the Blu-ray disc include trailers for Supernatural, The Cat and the Canary (1939 version), The Mad Doctor, The Undying Monster, The Lodger (1944 version), The Spider Woman Strikes Back, and Queen of Spades.

Other extras include reversible cover art and a slipcover (limited to the first pressing).

Summary:

Directed by Paul Leni, whose other notable films include Waxworks (Das Wachsfigurenkabinett), The Last Warning, and The Man Who Laughs.

The heirs of an eccentric millionaire gather on the 20th anniversary of his death for the reading of his will.

The Cat and the Canary was the first of four films Paul Lani directed in Hollywood before his untimely death at the age of 44. The Cat and the Canary was the first film adaptation of John Williard’s play of the same name. There have been numerous film adaptations since Paul Leni's film.

The Cat and the Canary is an early example of what is now known as an old dark house film. These types of films involve some sort of gathering at an old, neglected house. And though these films rely on things that go bump in the night, humor also plays a role. The Cat and the Canary has the core elements that one would expect from an Old Dark House film: an escaped lunatic, secret corridors, and a monster with a hairy arm.

The Cat and the Canary’s greatest asset is not the story that unfolds but the way the visuals tell that story. German expressionist cinema played a significant role for German filmmakers who made the transition to Hollywood cinema. That said, it is easy to see how German expressionist cinema influenced the look of The Cat and the Canary.

Though there were some inventive camera techniques employed in the early days of cinema, more often than not, it was stationary shots that cut from character to character. The Cat and the Canary’s camera is more active than in most silent films; there are shots that glide down corridors and shots of the camera zooming in on characters. The striking use of superimposing and juxtapositioning people and objects is another area where the visuals stand out.

From a production standpoint, there is no area where The Cat and the Canary does not excel. The well-executed narrative does an excellent job building tension towards a phenomenal finale. The production design is exquisite, and the eye for detail is astonishing. Ultimately, The Cat and the Canary is an extraordinary film and cinematic achievement that is one of silent cinema’s high-water marks.

Kino Lorber brings The Cat and the Canary 4K UHD via an alternate, shorter version that’s only recommended for completists who already own Eureka Video’s Blu-ray.

Note about the 4K screenshots: It is not possible to make Dolby Vision or HDR10 screenshots that faithfully match the experience of watching a film in motion on a TV. Instead of not having any screenshots, all of the 4K screenshots are m2ts taken with a MPC-HC player and lossless PNGs.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Bohachi Bushido: Code of the Forgotten Eight – Mondo Macabro (4k UHD) 

Theatrical Release Date: Japan, 1973
Director: Teruo Ishii
Writers: San Kaji, Kazuo Koike, Goseki Kojima
Cast: Tetsurô Tanba, Gorô Ibuki, Tatsuo Endô, Ryôhei Uchida, Yuriko Hishimi, Keiko Aikawa, Rena Ichinose, Shôki Fukae

Release Date: February 9th, 2026
Approximate Running Time: 81 Minutes 12 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Widescreen / 2160 Progressive / HEVC / H.265 / HDR10
Rating: NR
Sound: DTS-HD Mono Japanese
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $34.95

"The legendary actor Tetsuro Tanba stars as Shiro, a master swordsman who is weary of the world of samurai honor and samurai killing and so attempts suicide rather than finishing a fight. He is saved by the Bohachi clan, a gang of pimps who have forsaken all honor and whose cynicism outruns even his own. But ultimately, he even tires of their nihilistic worldview, leading to a final showdown in the snow ...." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.5/5

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

Bohachi Bushido: Code of the Forgotten Eight comes on a 66 GB dual layer 4K UHD

Disc Size: 53.4 GB

Feature: 43 GB

The source looks excellent; that said, there are a few instances that are not as strong; one example of this can be seen in screenshot #12. Flesh tones look healthy, colors look great, black levels are strong, image clarity and compression are solid, and there are no issues with digital noise reduction.

Audio: 5/5

This release comes with one audio option, a DTS-HD mono mix in Japanese with removable English subtitles. The audio sounds excellent; dialog comes through clearly, everything sounds balanced, and ambient sounds are well-represented.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a theatrical trailer (3 minutes 11 seconds, Dolby Digital mono Japanese with removable English subtitles), an archival introduction with Pinky Violence expert J-Taro Sugisaku, Cult movie director Takao Nakano and Yoshiki Hayashi (42 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Japanese with removable English subtitles), an archival interview with Yoshiki Hayashi titled What is Pinky Violence? (15 minutes 33 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Japanese with removable English subtitles), an archival interview with actress Yuriko Hishimi (21 minutes 5 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Japanese with removable English subtitles), an interview with Shinya Tsukamoto about Bohachi Bushido: Code of the Forgotten Eight and the career of Teruo Ishii (17 minutes 44 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Japanese with removable English subtitles), an archival audio commentary with J-Taro Sugisaku, Takao Nakano and Yoshiki Hayashi, and an audio commentary with Japanese film expert and author Tom Mes.

Summary:

Teruo Ishii directed Bohachi Bushido: Code of the Forgotten Eight. His other notable films include Shogun’s Joys of Torture, Inferno of Torture, Orgies of Edo, Horrors of Malformed Men, The Blind Woman’s Curse, and The Executioner. Bohachi Bushido: Clan of the Forgotten Eight was adapted from a manga written by Kazuo Koike, who also created these series: Hanzo the Razor, Lady Snowblood, and Lone Wolf & Cub.

Shiro is a wanted assassin who is tired of being chased by the law and sees suicide as his only way out. His attempt at suicide is foiled when he is rescued and brought back to health by members of a clan known as the Bohachi. Shiro agrees to help the Bohachi dispose of their enemies; in return, they will provide him sanctuary from the law. Can Shiro trust the Bohachi to uphold their end of the bargain, or will they cut him loose after he serves his purpose?

Bohachi Bushido: Code of the Forgotten Eight stylish openings do a phenomenal job drawing you in. The protagonist, while crossing a bridge, finds himself surrounded by four assassins who are soon joined by additional men. Although he manages to dispose of many of them, he realizes the odds are insurmountable and decides to jump off the bridge into the river below. The carnage in this sequence, like those that follow, are geysers of blood and severed limbs. There is a surreal quality to this sequence that continues throughout.

“To die is hell, but to live, is also hell” are words spoken by the protagonist throughout. He is a man with no regard for life; he is willing to sacrifice his own at any moment. The narrative revolves around his dealings with a clan known as Bohachi, who have removed servitude, loyalty, trust, propriety, justice, conscience, shame, and religion from their code of honor. The Bohachi subjugate women, forcing them into submissive sexual slavery and risking their lives to serve their masters. The remaining characters consist of rival clans and corrupt government officials.

All around, the cast are excellent, especially Tetsuro Tamba (Zero Woman: Red Handcuffs) in the role of Shiro. Another performance of note is Yuriko Hishimi, who portrays Oman, one of the Bohachi women who are assigned to help protect Shiro while he kills all their enemies. The Bohachi women's loyalty is perfectly encapsulated in a scene where Shiro is surrounded by a ring of fire. They roll around until the fire is put out, then they remove their clothes and continue to fight in the nude.

Visually, Teruo Ishii has a knack for creating some of the most fantastically perverse set pieces that are equally brutal and laced with sex. There is plenty of nudity, including sword and hand-to-hand fighting by the female cast. Don’t let their beauty fool you; they are equally, if not more, dangerous than their male counterparts. In the most memorable scene the protagonist is drugged, and an orgy of carnage erupts when his enemies try to take advantage of the situation. Though all of the flight sequences are exemplary, the best is saved for the finale. Ultimately, Bohachi Bushido: Clan of the Forgotten Eight is one of the most remarkable and unforgettable films to emerge from Toei’s Pinky Violence cinema cycle.

Bohachi Bushido: Code of the Forgotten Eight gets an excellent release from Mondo Macabro that comes with a solid audio/video presentation and a wealth of insightful extras, highly recommended.

Note about the 4K screenshots: It is not possible to make Dolby Vision or HDR10 screenshots that faithfully match the experience of watching a film in motion on a TV. Instead of not having any screenshots, all of the 4K screenshots are m2ts taken with a MPC-HC player and lossless PNGs.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Psychomania: 2-Disc Special Edition – Arrow Video (Blu-ray/DVD Combo)

Theatrical Release Date: UK, 1973
Director: Don Sharp
Writers: Julian Zimet, Arnaud d’Usseau
Cast: Nicky Henson, Mary Larkin, Ann Michelle, Roy Holder, Denis Gilmore, Miles Greenwood, Peter Whitting, Rocky Taylor, George Sanders, Jacki Webb

Release Date: February 21st, 2017
Approximate Running Time: 90 Minutes 32 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: PG
Sound: LPCM Mono English
Subtitles: English SDH
Region Coding: Region A
Retail Price: OOP

"The Living Dead are a delinquent biker gang, fond of causing havoc on British roadways and making out in graveyards. Gang leader Tom (Nicky Henson) also has a Satanist for a mother, and when he discovers the secret of immortality, the name of his motley crew takes on a more literal meaning…” – Synopsis provided by the Distributor

Video: 3.75/5

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, "When research began prior to the restoration of Psychomania, it was discovered that the only surviving elements were a damaged color reversal internegative (CRI) held in Los Angeles, a heavily worn and faded 16mm print and miraculously, a set of 35mm black and white separation preservation masters (Promaster) held at the Filmoteca Espanola in Madrid. These separation masters were created from an original 35mm negative element in the 1970s.

Black and white separations come in three reels for every one reel of film and are a form of preservation aimed at combating long-term color fading. They are black and white records of the additive primary colors (red, green, and blue) created by printing the negative element three times through cyan, magenta, and yellow filters. Each reel of the Psychomania separations was ultrasonically cleaned and then scanned one frame per second in 2K resolution using a Northlight II scanner at Pinewood Studios. Digital tools were then applied to reduce flicker (the yellow layer being particularly problematic), negating sparkle and dust. The images were then recombined digitally to create a full-color image, which was then graded before further picture restoration was undertaken. The film is presented in its original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.66:1.

The results of this remastering and restoration process are raw 2K scans of each 35mm separation element, a pre-restored 2K master and a 2K master of the final restoration, as well as uncompressed audio files of the soundtrack, all of which are now held by the BFI National Archive.”

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

Disc Size: 32.8 GB

Feature: 24.7 GB

Although there has been an incredible attempt to restore Psychomania to its fullest potential, it still has some limitations. That said, Psychomania has never looked better on home media. Flesh tones look healthy, colors look correct, image clarity and black levels are strong, compression is solid, and the image retains an organic look.

Audio: 4/5

This release comes with one audio option, a LPCM mono mix in English with removable English SDH. The audio sounds clean, clear, and balanced, and the score sounds appropriately robust.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a theatrical trailer (2 minutes 50 seconds, LPCM mono English, no subtitles), a featurette titled Restoring Psychomania (1 minute 47 seconds, Dolby Digital mono with music from the film playing in the background and text information about the restoration), a featurette about the company that supplied the biker attire for the film titled Hell for Leather (7 minutes 52 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an archival interview with Riding Free singer Harvey Andrews titled Riding Free (6 minutes 25 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an archival interview with composer John Cameron titled Sound of Psychomania (9 minutes 6 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an archival featurette featuring actors Nicky Henson, Mary Larkin, Denis Gilmore, Roy Holder, and Rocky Taylor titled Return of the Living Dead (25 minutes 2 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with actor Nicky Henson (13 minutes 57 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), reversible cover art, and a 40-page booklet (limited to the first pressing) with cast & crew information, an essay titled An Outstanding Appointment with Fear written by Vic Pratt, an essay titled The Last Movie: George Sanders and Psychomania written by William Fowler, an essay titled Psychomania — Riding Free written by Andrew Roberts, Taste for Excitement: An Interview with Don Sharpe conducted by Christopher Koetting, and information about the restoration.

Included with this release is a DVD that has the same content included on the Blu-ray included as part of this combo release.

Summary:

Don Sharp directed Psychomania. He’s most known for his Hammer Films, like The Kiss of the Vampire and Rasputin: The Mad Monk. Other notable films he directed are Curse of the Fly, The Face of Fu Manchu, The Brides of Fu Manchu, and Taste of Excitement.

A motorcycle gang that has entered into a suicide pact comes back to life and terrorizes those who get in their way.

From a premise standpoint, Psychomania is undoubtedly one of the most bizarre biker gang films ever released to the public. The film contains numerous elements that demand a leap of faith from viewers, particularly the concept of individuals returning from the dead. If they really believe that, it is possible to do so at the moment of their death. In addition to the living dead angle, Psychomania also features a frog-worshiping cult led by a mild-mannered butler named Shadwell.

Another area where Psychomania falls short is in the performances of its cast. The standout is Nicky Henson (Witchfinder General), who plays Tom Latham, the leader of the biker gang. He delivers a brooding portrayal of a young man overwhelmed by his angst. Another noteworthy performance is by George Sanders (All About Eve) in the role of Shadwell, which marks his final screen appearance. Tragically, he took his life shortly after finishing Psychomania.

The shortcomings of the plot aside, where Psychomania most excels is its ability to create an unnerving atmosphere. Other areas where Psychomania excels are its stylish visuals and John Cameron’s (The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer) exemplary mood-enhancing score. The most notable scene visually features Tom Latham leaping from his grave while riding his motorcycle. Ultimately, despite its shortcomings, Psychomania remains an entertaining film.

Psychomania gets a solid release from Arrow Video. Recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Challenge of the White Fang – Colosseo Film (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Italy/West Germany/France, 1974
Director: Lucio Fulci
Writers: Lucio Fulci, Roberto Gianviti, Alberto Silvestri
Cast: Franco Nero, Virna Lisi, John Steiner, Raimund Harmstorf, Yanti Somer, Harry Carey Jr., Renato Cestiè, Werner Pochath, Hannelore Elsner, Renato De Carmine, John Bartha

Release Date: April 3rd, 2020
Approximate Running Time: 98 Minutes 13 seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVCC
Rating: NR
Sound: DTS-HD Mono English, DTS-HD Mono Italian, DTS-HD Mono German
Subtitles: German, Italian
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: 12,61 EUR

"Writer Jason Scott (Franco Nero) has great success with his adventure novel "Wolfsblut" and is celebrated by the fine society of San Francisco. But life and struggle for survival at the Klondike is missing him, and he longs for new adventures. Dawson City is now abandoned, but a new gold digger town has emerged miles further. There, Sister Evangelina (Virna Lisi) operates a hospital ward and meets an old and deadly enemy: Beauty Smith (John Steiner). But he claims to be another, and the local police chief confirms this.

Jason Scott and his friend Kurt Janson (Raimund Harmstorf) come to the aid of Sister Evangelina and are looking to finally transfer Beauty Smith. And they meet an old friend: the dog Wolfsblut, who has now become friends with the boy Bill (Renato Cestiè). But ultimately, the Klondike is all about gold, and a murderous sleigh race will decide who luck and wealth waves to and who the cold death awaits in the inhospitable snowy landscape." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.25/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, “Uncut version in new 4k transfer.”

Challenge of the White Fang comes on a 25 GB single layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 22.5 GB

Feature: 21.1 GB

The source looks excellent; fleshy tones and colors look correct, image clarity is solid, black levels are strong, and there are no issues with compression or digital noise reduction.

Audio: 4/5 (DTS-HD Mono English)

This release comes with three audio options, a DTS-HD mono mix in English, a DTS-HD mono mix in Italian, and a DTS-HD mono mix in German. Since there are no English subtitles for the entire Italian language track, for this review I only focused on the English language track. The track sounds clear and balanced, with well-presented ambient sounds. When watching the English-language track, there is a brief dialogue exchange in Italian with English subtitles. Included with this release are removable German and Italian subtitles.

Extras:

Extras for this release include an image gallery with music from the film playing in the background (36 images—posters/stills), a Italian theatrical trailer (3 minutes 38 seconds, Dolby Digital mono Italian, no subtitles), an English-language theatrical trailer (3 minutes 37 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), an interview with actor Franco Nero (19 minutes 7 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Italian with German voiceover narration), reversible cover art without the ratings logo, a slipcase, and a 16-page booklet with an essay in German titled Goldrausch im Kino “Gold rush in the cinema” written by Gerald Kuklinski.

Summary:

Challenge of the White Fang was directed by Lucio Fulci, a versatile filmmaker who left his mark in every genre. Notable films directed by Lucio Fulci include Beatrice Cenci, A Lizard in a Woman’s Skin, Don’t Torture a Duckling, Zombie, City of the Living Dead, The Beyond, The House by the Cemetery, and The New York Ripper. A year before Challenge of the White Fang, Lucio Fulci directed White Fang, and the latter film is a loose adaptation of Jack London’s novel White Fang.

Author Jason Scott goes back to the Yukon looking for inspiration for his next book. Shortly after his arrival, he uncovers corruption connected to the gold mines.

Challenge of the White Fang picks up where its predecessor, White Fang, left off. In many ways, Challenge of the White Fang feels like a recycled version of its predecessor. And nowhere is this clearer than in Challenge of the White Fang, which carries over most of the characters, most notably White Fang’s villain, Beauty Smith. That said, despite these overlapping similarities, Challenge of the White Fang ultimately succeeds because of its flourishes that are undeniably Lucio Fulci.

Although Challenge of the White Fang seems like a film intended for a younger audience, its opening sequence reveals a much darker narrative than one typically associates with children's films. The setup focuses on the violent slaughter of three Indigenous people, including a child.

Content-wise, Challenge of the White Fang is best described as an adventure film. Also, there are many elements in Challenge of the White Fang that can be traced back to the spaghetti Western genre. There’s a ruthless businessman who has a corrupt lawman in his pocket.

When it comes to the performances, the cast all deliver, especially the ever-so-reliable Franco Nero (Django) in the role of an author named Jason Scott. Besides Franco Nero reprising his role from White Fang, other returning cast members are John Steiner (Tenebrae) in the role of a cold-blooded portrayal of Beauty Smith and Virna Lisi (The Possessed) in the role of Sister Evangelina. Another performance of note is Renato Cestiè in the role of Bill Tarwater, a little boy who befriends White Fang.

Visually, Challenge of the White Fang does not disappoint; it takes full advantage of the snow-covered landscapes. Standout visual moments include a barroom brawl sequence with slapstick elements and a scene in which a man, freezing to death, desperately tries to get the attention of a passerby. The finale features a dog sledding race that will determine the owner of the gold mine.

From a production standpoint, Challenge of the White Fang operates like a well-oiled machine, running smoothly on all cylinders. The narrative is well-crafted and effectively builds tension; key moments are allowed sufficient time to resonate, and the solid production design gives this period-set film a polished appearance. Ultimately viewers of all ages can enjoy Challenge of the White Fang, a solid adventure film.

Challenge of the White Fang gets a strong audio/video presentation from Colosseo Film. Recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer