Slap the Monster on Page One: Limited Edition – Radiance Films (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Italy, 1972
Director: Marco Bellocchio
Writers: Sergio Donati, Goffredo Fofi
Cast: Gian Maria Volontè, Fabio Garriba, Carla Tatò, Jacques Herlin, John Steiner, Michel Bardinet, Jean Rougeul, Corrado Solari, Laura Betti

Release Date: November 18th, 2024 (UK), November 19th, 2024 (USA)
Approximate running time: 87 minutes 15 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: 15 (UK), NR (USA)
Sound: LPCM Mono Italian
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region A,B
Retail Price: £14.99 (UK), $39.95 (USA)

"Days before a general election a young girl is raped and murdered. Bizanti (Gian Maria Volonté, The Working Class Goes to Heaven), the editor of a right-wing newspaper uses the story to help the conservative candidate his paper supports. The tumultuous time of Italy’s ‘Years of Lead’ are captured in Marco Bellocchio’s powerful political drama which directly addressed topics of its day and even prefigured the creation of the right-wing paper Il giornale, which came into being two years after this film.” – Synopsis provided by the Distributor

Video: 5/5

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, “Slap the Monster on Page One was restored in 4K resolution from the original negative by Cineteca di Bologna in collaboration with Surf Film and Kavac Film, under the supervision of director Marco Bellocchio.”

Slap the Monster on Page One comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 33.1 GB

Feature: 25.2 GB

The opening moments of the film use what appears to be stock footage. The opening moments are not representative of the rest of the film, which looks excellent. Colors look correct, black levels are strong, image clarity and compression are solid, and the image retains an organic look.

Audio: 5/5

This release comes with one audio option, a LPCM mono mix in Italian with removable English subtitles. This audio track sounds great; dialog always comes through clearly, everything sounds balanced, and the score sounds appropriately robust.

Extras:

Extras for this release include an appreciation by filmmaker Alex Cox (9 minutes 53 seconds, LPCM stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with critic and author Mario Sesti (24 minutes 47 seconds, LPCM stereo Italian with removable English subtitles), an archival interview with director Marco Bellocchio (19 minutes 39 seconds, LPCM stereo Italian with removable English subtitles), reversible cover art, removable OBI strip leaving packaging free of certificates and markings and a 20-page booklet (limited to 3000 copies) cast & crew information, an essay titled Say ‘Yes’ to the Freedom of Order: Fake News in The Years of Lead written by Wesley Sharer, and information about the transfer.

Summary:

Marco Bellocchio directed the film Slap the Monster on Page One. His other notable films are Fist in the Pocket and Devil in the Flesh.

During an election, a right-wing newspaper editor uses the rape and murder of a young girl to further his agenda.

Slap the Monster on Page One is a perfect example of a film being more relevant than ever. It is a film that takes place during a tumultuous election; there is political unrest, excessive force by the police, and political corruption. At the center of all of these things is the media, who are manipulating the news to the outcome they desire.

Though some believe that media manipulation is a modern phenomenon, it is something that has always existed. There was a time when they were good at hiding their agenda; now it's not so much a search for truth as it is crafting a story. That said, a lot is put into crafting a headline, since many readers put a lot of effort into reading beyond it.

Though a young woman’s death is at the center of Slap the Monster on Page One, getting to the truth about what happened to her is not where most of the characters focus. Those in power exploit her death to further their worldview. And when confronted with the truth, they turn a blind eye because they have already dug in with the reality they created.

The entire cast is outstanding, especially Gian Maria Volontè’s (Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion) portrayal of a new editor, Giancarlo Bizanti, a ruthless, cold-hearted manipulator. Though Gian Maria Volontè's character does not have any of the loud outbursts he’s so great at delivering, he’s always had a menacing quality about him, even when he’s restrained. That said, Gian Maria Volontè's performance elvates what is already compelling subject matter.

From its opening moments there is an intensity that builds to a fever pitch by its unforgettable finale. The narrative executes effectively; we give key moments sufficient time to resonate and maintain a flawless pacing. Another strength is composer Nicola Piovani’s (The Perfume of the Lady in Black) exceptional mood-reinforcing score.

Propaganda is all around us, and when perfectly executed, it often goes unnoticed. It is fitting that Slap the Monster on Page One, a film about propaganda, also has its own slant. Its director, Marco Bellocchio, infused his left-wing ideology throughout his filmography. Fortunately, Marco Bellocchio's political leanings never impede the story being told. Ultimately, Slap the Monster on Page One is a powerful film no matter where you line up politically.

Slap the Monster on Page One gets an excellent release from Radiance Films that comes with a solid audio/video presentation and insightful extras, highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer