So Young, So Lovely, So Vicious... - Raro Video (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Italy, 1975
Director: Silvio Amadio
Writers: Silvio Amadio, Roberto Natale
Cast: Gloria Guida, Dagmar Lassander, Fred Robsahm, Dana Ghia, Rita Orlando, Flavio Sorrentino, Silvano Tranquilli

Release Date: April 28th, 2026
Approximate Running Time: 88 minutes 18 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVCC
Rating: NR
Sound: DTS-HD Mono Italian, DTS-HD Mono English
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $29.95

"Blonde teenager Angela (Gloria Guida, To Be Twenty) is not happy about her father’s choice for his new wife, Irene (Dagmar Lassander, Hatchet for the Honeymoon) and does everything she can to destroy their relationship. Aided by her sleazy boyfriend, Sandro (Fred Robsahm), she digs deep into Irene’s past and discovers traits of mental abuse. Irene had been traumatized by a failed lesbian relationship and had latched onto Angela’s father as a means of preserving her sanity. Angela seduces Irene in an attempt to blackmail her but ends up falling in love. Tragedy strikes when Sandro intervenes, pushing Irene over the edge." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 3/5

So Young, So Lovely, So Vicious... comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 28.3 GB

Feature: 28 GB

No information is provided about the source; there is print debris that is noticeable throughout, and there are many instances where the image looks too bright. While the source retains an organic look, colors and image clarity are not optimal, and black levels exhibit some crush.

Audio: 3.5/5 (DTS-HD Mono Italian), 3.75/5 (DTS-HD Mono English)

This release comes with two audio options, a DTS-HD mono mix in Italian and a DTS-HD mono mix in English. While both tracks sound clean and clear, the English language track sounds fuller. Dialogue comes through clearly, and range-wise, both tracks are serviceable. Included are removable English subtitles for the Italian language track.

Extras:

Extras for this release are limited to an audio commentary with film historians and hosts of Wild, Wild Podcast, Adrian Smith and Rod Barnett.

Summary:

So Young, So Lovely, So Vicious… was directed by Silvio Amadio, who's most known for Amuck! Other notable films he directed include Wolves of the Deep, Assassination in Rome, Smile Before Death, and That Malicious Age. 

A young woman disapproves of her father's girlfriends and does everything she can to sabotage their relationships.

The protagonist, a young woman named Angela, embodies the film's title. She’s young, she’s lovely, and she’s vicious. The result is a psychological coming-of-age melodrama that tries to masquerade itself as an exploitation film. Although there are numerous times where Gloria Guida parades around with nothing on, things never devolve into anything remotely sleazy.

The main draw of So Young, So Lovely, So Vicious… is its two leading ladies, Gloria Guida (To Be Twenty) in the role of Angela and Dagmar Lassander (The Laughing Woman) in the role of Irene, Angela’s father's girlfriend. Gloria Guida, in particular, really shines, and she does a remarkable job conveying Angela’s mood swings. Their onscreen chemistry greatly enhances their performances. Another cast member of note is Silvano Tranquilli (Black Belly of the Tarantula) in the role of Angela’s father. While his character is prominent in the opening setup, he’s nonexistent for a large proportion of the film.

While the opening setup makes Angela’s intentions clear about her father’s girlfriend, what unfolds is never predictable. The narrative does a good job drawing you in and holding your attention as it effectively builds to a bittersweet finale where Angela’s actions have real-world consequences. Another area where So Young, So Lovely, So Vicious… stands out is its visuals, which take full advantage of the scenic landscapes and never waste any opportunity to highlight its two leading ladies' beauty. Ultimately, So Young, So Lovely, So Vicious… is a deceptive film that connects more on an emotional than a visceral level like so many Italian genre films of the 1970s.

Raro Video gives So Young, So Lovely, So Vicious… a serviceable audio/video presentation and an informative audio commentary.

Written by Michael Den Boer