The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh: Limited Edition - Severin Films (Blu-ray/CD Combo)

Theatrical Release Date: Italy, 1971
Director: Sergio Martino
Writers: Ernesto Gastaldi, Vittorio Caronia
Cast: Edwige Fenech, George Hilton, Conchita Airoldi, Ivan Rassimov, Alberto de Mendoza

Release Date: June 2nd, 2020
Approximate running time: 100 Minutes 22 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: NR
Sound: DTS-HD Mono Italian, DTS-HD Mono English
Subtitles: English, English SDH
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $34.98

"an unfaithful diplomat’s wife who finds herself hunted by a razor-wielding sex maniac while simultaneously haunted by her own depraved desires.” – Synopsis provided by the Distributor

Video: 3.5/5

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, “newly scanned in 4k from the internegative.”

The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 45.5 GB

Feature: 28.5 GB

Though the source of this transfer is in great shape, print-related debris is minimal. The result is an underwhelming transfer that looks soft; most notably, during many of the darker scenes, the image looks murky, and when compared to Shameless Films’ Blu-ray and FilmArt’s Blu-ray, this release from Severin Films has noticeable cropping. That said, there are some moments when image clarity looks very good. It should be noted that Severin’s release presents the Sigmund Freud quote properly instead of using Shameless Films digitally recreated version of this quote.

Audio: 4.25/5 (DTS-HD Mono Italian, DTS-HD Mono English)

This release comes with two audio options, a DTS-HD mono mix in English and a DTS-HD mono mix in Italian. Both audio mixes are in great shape; dialog comes through clearly; everything sounds balanced; and range-wise, the score is well-represented. Included with this release are removable English SDH subtitles for the English language track and English subtitles for the Italian language track.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a theatrical trailer (3 minutes 1 seconds, Dolby Digital mono Italian with removable English subtitles), an introduction by actor George Hilton (24 seconds,  Dolby Digital stereo Italian with removable English subtitles), an archival interview with actress Edwige Fenech titled The No Shame Files (23 minutes 43 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Italian with non-removable English subtitles), an interview with George Hilton and Italian genre historian Antonio Bruschini titled Vienna Vice (19 minutes 1 second, Dolby Digital stereo Italian with removable English subtitles), an interview screenwriter Ernesto Gastaldi titled Cold as Ice (22 minutes, Dolby Digital stereo Italian with removable English subtitles), an interview with director Sergio Martino titled Of Vice and Virtue (43 minutes 21 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Italian with removable English subtitles), an audio commentary with Kat Ellinger, author of All The Colors of Sergio Martino, a CD (limited to 3000 units) that contains Nora Orlandi’s score for The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh, and a cardboard insert that has information about the thirty-one tracks.

Summary:

The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh marked Sergio Martino’s first foray into the giallo genre. And the end result is a key film that would help set the tone for other giallo’s that followed. The thing that immediately draws you in while watching The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh is how polished Sergio Martino’s direction is at this point in his career. And nowhere is this more evident than when it comes to his fluid camera movements and how his compositions exploit every inch of the frame.

Casting-wise, The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh has a few notable Euro-Cult regulars that include Conchita Airoldi (Torso), Alberto de Mendoza (The Case of the Scorpion’s Tail), and Ivan Rassimov (Your Vice is a Closed Room and Only I Have the Key). The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh would mark the first pairing of its two leads, George Hilton and Edwige Fenech. The two would collaborate on two other gialloes, The Case of the Bloody Iris and All the Colors of the Dark. Their chemistry is undeniable. Edwige Fenech is a classic Euro beauty, and Sergio Martino exploits her ample talents to their fullest. Ivan Rassimov is perfectly cast as the sadistic ex-lover. There is something wicked about his devilish grin and icy cold stare.

The story has so many plot twists and red herrings that character development is all but nonexistent. There is very little to find redeeming about any of the characters in The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh, and the outcome is bleak for most of the characters. The use of flashback sequences is skillfully employed several times during the film. And these moments give us, the viewer, more background on Julie’s relationship with Jean. These segments are beautifully crafted and heavily stylized, to the point where one wonders if they are real or a dream.

Nora Orlandi’s haunting score and Vienna’s baroque architecture help heighten the film's gothic and, at times, surreal look. The music Nora Orlandi used during the flashback sequences would find its way into Quentin Tarantino’s film Kill Bill Volume 2. Carol’s death, which takes place in a park at dusk, showcases Sergio Martino’s expertise at crafting horrific and sadistic imagery. Another wonderfully executed scene is the death scene that takes place in the shower. The special effects are extremely effective, and their realism further drives home the film’s De Sade approach to sadism. Ultimately, The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh is Sergio Martino's crowning achievement as a filmmaker.

Severin Films has done a superb job putting together an extensive amount of insightful extras. Unfortunately, their Blu-ray release comes up short because of a lackluster transfer that leaves a lot of room for improvement.

Written by Michael Den Boer