Blazing Magnum (Shadows in an Empty Room) - StudioCanal (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Italy/Canada/Panama, 1976
Director: Alberto De Martino
Writers: Vincenzo Mannino, Gianfranco Clerici
Cast: Stuart Whitman, John Saxon, Martin Landau, Tisa Farrow, Carole Laure, Jean LeClerc, Gayle Hunnicutt

Release Date: September 11th, 2023
Approximate running times: 99 Minutes 32 Seconds (English Language Version), 99 Minutes 37 Seconds (Italian Language Version)
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: 18 (UK)
Sound: LPCM Mono Italian (Italian Language Version), LPCM Mono English (English Language Version)
Subtitles: English (Italian Language Version), English SDH (English Language Version)
Region Coding: Region B
Retail Price: £21.96 (UK)

"After his sister was poisend, tough cop Tony Saitta embarks an a violent journey to find her killer which turns into a whirlpool of revenge and betrayal." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.25/5 (Both Versions)

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "A new restoration".

Blazing Magnum (Shadows in an Empty Room) comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 42.6 GB

Feature: 31 GB

Though the bulk of the source used for this transfer is in great shape, there are a few very minor instances of print debris. Flesh tones look healthy, colors look very good, image clarity (this film has an intended soft focus look) and black levels are strong throughout, compression is very good, and the image looks organic. This release uses seamless branching for the two versions.

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

The English language version comes with one audio option, a LPCM mono mix in English, and the Italian language version comes with one audio option, a LPCM mono mix in Italian. Quality-wise, these two tracks are comparable. Both tracks sound clean, clear, and balanced. Also, range-wise, they sound very good and robust when they should. Included are English SDH for the English language version and non-removable English subtitles for the Italian language track. Also, the English SDH subtitle track can only be turned on or off via the menu, and when you don’t choose any subtitle option when watching the English language version, there is a second non-removable English subtitle track that translates the title card, which is in Italian.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a theatrical trailer (3 minutes 33 seconds, LPCM mono English, no subtitles), an interview with film historian Kim Newman titled City Hunter (22 minutes 2 seconds, LPCM stereo English, no subtitles), an archival audio interview with director Alberto De Martino titled Special Sentiments (12 minutes 58 seconds, LPCM stereo Italian with non-removable English subtitles), four art cards (limited to the first pressing), and a slipcover (limited to the first pressing).

Summary:

Directed by Alberto De Martino, who is most remembered for directing the Italian exorcist clone The Antichrist. Other standout films from De Martino include Formula for Murder and Operation Kid Brother, a James Bond spoof that stars Sean Connery’s brother Neil.

The narrative revolves around an out-of-town and out-of-jurisdiction police captain who takes on a no-holds-barred approach to uncovering the identity of the person responsible for his sister’s death.

Blazing Magnum (Shadows in an Empty Room) is equal parts thriller and police procedural. And though the majority of the talent behind the scenes was Italian, this is a rare example of an Italian film that is devoid of things that have become synonymous with Italian genre cinema. Also, location has always played a factor in Italian-style cinema, and in the case of Blazing Magnum (Shadows in an Empty Room), it was shot in Canada, a location that was never a prime location for Italian-made police procedurals or thrillers.

As mentioned before, Blazing Magnum (Shadows in an Empty Room) is a film that balances between two genres and never fully commits to one. And in regards to the thriller aspects of Blazing Magnum (Shadows in an Empty Room), there is an air of familiarity when it comes to the depiction of the killer. The same cannot be said for police procedural moments, which come off as tame compared to other similar Italian-themed films. And nowhere is more evident than in regards to the protagonist, Captain Tony Saitta. This character is a more sanitized version of its Italian counterparts from the poliziotteschi genre.

Oddly enough, Blazing Magnum (Shadows in an Empty Room) excels during its most absurd moments. And without a doubt, there is no scene that fits this bill, except a scene where Saitta’s investigations lead him to an apartment where three transvestites live. And before he can get a word in, a trio of transvestites come at him with murderous intentions. Another standout moment is an obligatory car chase. Which magnifies this type of scene well beyond the reality of the situation.

Performance-wise, the cast ranges from adequate to good in their respective roles. The only performance that leaves any lasting impression is Stuart Whitman (Welcome to Arrow Beach) in the role of Captain Tony Saitta. He delivers a B-movie version of the type of character Charles Bronson portrays in the Death Wish films. Other cast members of note include Martin Landau (North By Northwest), John Saxon (Tenebrae), Gayle Hunnicutt (The Legend of Hell House), Carole Laure (Sweet Movie) in the role of Louise Saitta, and Tisa Farrow (Some Call It Loving) as Julie Foster, a blind girl who holds the key to the killer's identity. Ultimately, Blazing Magnum (Shadows in an Empty Room) is an entertaining mix of the poliziotteschi and giallo genres that fans of Italian genre cinema are sure to enjoy.

Blazing Magnum gets an excellent release from StudioCanal that comes with a solid audio/video presentation and a pair of informative extras, recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer