Who Can Kill a Child? – Mondo Macabro (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Spain, 1976
Director: Narciso Ibáñez Serrador
Writers: Narciso Ibáñez Serrador, Juan José Plans
Cast: Lewis Fiander, Prunella Ransome, Antonio Iranzo, Miguel Narros, María Luisa Arias, Marisa Porcel, Juan Cazalilla, Luis Ciges

Release Date: July 10th, 2018
Approximate running times: 111 Minutes 12 Seconds (Spanish Version), 101 Minutes 51 Seconds (Island of Death Version)
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC (Both Versions)
Rating: NR
Sound: DTS-HD Mono English/Spanish, DTS-HD Mono Spanish, DTS-HD Mono English
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $29.95

“An English tourist couple rent a boat to visit the island of Almanzora, just off the southern Spanish coast. When they arrive, they find the island apparently empty of adults. There are only children, who don’t speak but only stare at the strangers with eerie smiles on their faces. The couple soon discover that all the island’s children have been possessed by a mysterious force, a kind of madness that they pass from one to another, and which makes them attack and murder their elders, who can’t defend themselves because, of course, nobody can kill a child …” – Synopsis provided by the Distributor

Video: 5/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "Brand new 4K restoration of the film from the original camera negative."

Who Can Kill a Child? comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 40.9 GB

Feature: 28.5 GB

The source used for this transfer is in excellent shape; details look sharp, colors are nicely saturated, black levels remain strong throughout, grain remains intact, and there are no issues with compression. When compared to previous home video releases for this film, this transfer is by far and away the best this film has looked to date on home video.

Audio: 4.5/5

The Spanish version of the film comes with three audio options, a DTS-HD mono mix in English/Spanish hybrid, a DTS-HD mono mix in Spanish, and a DTS-HD mono mix in English (an alternate English language track from this film’s U.S. theatrical release). All of the audio mixes sound clean, clear, and balanced throughout. All Spanish language dialog comes with removable English subtitles. It should be that the alternate English language track features some dialog in Spanish, and these moments come with English subtitles.

The version titled Island of Death comes with one audio option, a DTS-HD mono mix in English. And quality-wise, this track is on par with the other three audio mixes.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a Mondo Macabro preview reel, an image gallery, three radio spots under the alternate title The Hex Massacre (2 minutes 59 seconds, LPCM mono English, no subtitles), a theatrical trailer under the alternate title The Hex Massacre (55 seconds, LPCM mono English, no subtitles), an interview with film critic and author Kim Newman (14 minutes 43 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with cinematographer José Luis Alcaine (16 minutes 7 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Spanish with non-removable English subtitles), an director Narciso Ibáñez Serrador (9 minutes 13 seconds, , Dolby Digital stereo Spanish with non-removable English subtitles), documentary about Who Can Kill a Child? titled Version Española (46 minutes 17 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Spanish with removable English subtitles) and an audio commentary with Samm Deighan and Kat Ellinger (Daughters of Darkness podcast).

Summary:

Who Can Kill a Child? was co-written and directed by Narciso Ibáñez Serrador (The House That Screamed). Key collaborators on Who Can Kill a Child? include cinematographer José Luis Alcaine (Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!) and composer Waldo de los Ros (The Corruption of Chris Miller). The screenplay for Who Can Kill a Child? was adapted from author Juan José Plan's novel El juego de los nios (The Children’s Game). Besides Who Can Kill a Child? other titles this film has been released under include Island of Death and The Hex Massacre.

Though there have been many horror films where children are at the forefront, there has always been a gray area when it comes to acts of violence towards children in horror cinema. The majority of the violence is directed at adults. That said, more than any other element, fear defines the horror genre. And, while there are many fears to choose from, there is no greater sorrow than the loss of a loved one, particularly a child.

This brings us to Who Can Kill a Child?, a truly unique cinematic experience that has some of cinema's most unsettling images. And nowhere is this more clear than in how this film opens with archival footage of atrocities against children during World War II. The premise is superbly realized. The well-constructed narrative is perfectly paced, and key moments are given an ample amount of time to resonate. Another strength of the narrative is how it lulls you into a world that is in direct contrast with the events that unfold after the couple arrives on the island.

Performance wise, the two leads, Prunella Ransome (Far from the Madding Crowd) and Lewis Fiander (Dr. Phibes Rises Again), are very good in their respective roles. Ultimately, this film's greatest asset is the children’s performances. There is a naiveté to their performances that makes their actions all the more convincing.

Not to be overlooked are the visuals and how they take full advantage of the scenic locations. The scene where the couple arrives on the island and the children they meet are uninterested in them, the scene where the pregnant wife realizes her baby has become infected like the other children, and the finale provide an extremely satisfying coda to the events that have just unfolded are the standout moments.

Who Can Kill a Child? gets a definitive release from Mondo Macabro, highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer