The Inferno – Mondo Macabro (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Japan, 1979
Director: Tatsumi Kumashiro
Writer: Yôzô Tanaka
Cast: Mieko Harada, Kyôko Kishida, Ryûzô Hayashi, Kunie Tanaka, Seizô Fukumoto, Jun Hamamura, Kazuko Inano, Renji Ishibashi, Nobuo Kaneko, Yoshi Katô, Hiromi Kurita, Kikue Môri, Ken Nishida, Tsuyako Okajima, Tomomi Satô

Release Date: January 23rd, 2024
Approximate running time: 129 Minutes 33 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: NR
Sound: DTS-HD Mono Japanese
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region A
Retail Price: $29.95

"The film begins with Miho and Ryuzo, two adulterous lovers, being hunted down by Miho’s husband. Ryuzo is killed while the pregnant Miho is bludgeoned and left for dead. As she dies, she gives birth to her daughter, Aki, who is thus considered to have been born in hell. 

Twenty years later, Aki, who is the very image of her mother, has become a daredevil racing car driver. She feels that strange forces are trying to kill her. To solve the mystery of her past she returns to the remote village where her mother died and to the dysfunctional family that refused to take care of Aki when she was a baby. Aki’s arrival triggers a series of disastrous events as she tries to take revenge for the murder of her mother." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.5/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "Brand new 2k transfer from film negative, digitally restored."

The Inferno comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 41.8 GB

Feature: 34.8 GB

Outside of some very minor print debris, the bulk of the source is in great shape. Flesh tones look healthy, colors look perfect, image clarity, black levels, and compression are solid, and the image retains an organic look. That said, when it comes to some shots with special effects or back-projected shots, these moments are not as strong. Also, the film is presented in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio, although the back of the box lists the aspect ratio as 2.35:1. And the theatrical trailer included with this release is in a 2.35:1 aspect ratio. Fortunately, the image never looks compromised or cramped in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio.

Audio: 4.5/5

This release comes with one audio option: a DTS-HD mono mix in Japanese with removable English subtitles. The audio is in great shape. Dialog comes through clearly, and everything sounds balanced and robust when it should.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a theatrical trailer (4 minutes 58 seconds, DTS-HD mono Japanese with removable English subtitles), an interview with filmmaker Hiroshi Takahashi titled Ring of Fire (25 minutes 12 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Japanese with removable English subtitles) and an interview with filmmaker Koji Shiraishi titled The Infernal Machine (21 minutes 48 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Japanese with removable English subtitles).

Summary:

Directed by Tatsumi Kumashiro, a filmmaker who is most known for his work in erotic cinema. Notable films he directed are Sayuri Ichijo: Following Desire, Twisted Path of Love, Yakuza Justice: Erotic Code of Honor, World of Geisha, Street of Joy, and The Woman with Red Hair.

The narrative revolves around a husband who kills his adulterous wife and her lover. Before she dies, she gives birth to a daughter who is sent away to an orphanage and switches with another girl. Years later, the daughter unknowingly returns to the place of her birth, and not knowing who she is, her two brothers become infatuated with her.

Though it is easy to draw comparisons between The Inferno and Nobuo Nakagawa's Jigoku, Both films share similar themes of murder, deceit, and adultery. Also, their two narratives could not be more different. That said, instead of calling it The Inferno, it is better described as a reimagining of Nobuo Nakagawa's Jigoku.

Though real locations are used in some scenes, there are more moments that take place on what look like sets, giving The Inferno an artificial look. Another thing that adds to the artificial look of The Inferno is the use of rear projection shots. That said, this actually suits the story that unfolds, especially when it comes to moments set in hell.

What does hell look like? When it comes to moments in hell, they are filled with suffering and despair. That said, when characters make their way through hell, there is a surreal quality to these moments.

Performance-wise, the entire cast is great in their roles, especially Mieko Harada (Lullaby of the Earth) in the dual roles of mother and daughter, Miho and Aki. The bulk of her screen time is in the role of Aki, while her screen time in the role of Miho is limited to the opening setup. In the case of the former, she delivers a phenomenal performance that dominates every moment she is in. Another performance of note is Renji Ishibashi (Audition) in the role of Miho’s husband.

The opening setup does a great job laying the foundation for the events that follow. And at just under 130 minutes, the narrative does a good job building momentum towards a 30-minute finale with Aki in hell. Another strength is an eerie score that perfectly reinforces the mood. Ultimately, The Inferno is a satisfying mix of horror and eroticism that makes a solid companion piece to Nobuo Nakagawa's Jigoku.

The Inferno gets an excellent release from Mondo Macabro that comes with a solid audio/video presentation and a pair of informative extras, highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer