Corruption: Limited Edition – Radiance Films (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Italy/France, 1963
Director: Mauro Bolognini
Writers: Fulvio Gicca Palli, Ugo Liberatore
Cast: Alain Cuny, Rosanna Schiaffino, Jacques Perrin, Isa Miranda, Filippo Scelzo, Ennio Balbo, Anna Glori

Release Date: September 14th, 2026 (UK), September 15th, 2026 (USA)
Approximate Running Time: 82 Minutes 54 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: 12 (UK), NR (USA)
Sound: LPCM Mono Italian
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region A,B
Retail Price: £14.99 (UK), $39.95 (USA)

"After finishing his studies in Switzerland, the shy and innocent Stefano (Jacques Perrin, Girl with a Suitcase) decides to become a priest. His father, Leonardo (Alain Cuny, La dolce vita), a rich publishing magnate, disapproves: he wants his son to take over his empire someday. When he invites Stefano on a yacht trip together with his mistress (Rosanna Schiaffino), Leonardo’s intention is not to reconcile with his son..." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.5/5

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, "Corruption was restored in 2K by Movietime. The restoration was delivered to Radiance as a high definitiono digital file."

Corruption comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 29.4 GB

Feature: 24.1 GB

While some minor debris remains, the source usually looks excellent. Flesh tones look healthy, contrast, image clarity, and compression are solid, black levels are strong, and the image retains an organic appearance.

Audio: 4/5

This release comes with one audio option, an LPCM mono mix in Italian with removable English subtitles. Although there is some mild hiss, dialogue always comes through clearly, everything sounds balanced, and ambient sounds are well-represented.

Extras:

Extras for this release include an archival interview with producers Alfredo Bini and Manolo Bolognini, son of Mauro Bolognini (10 minutes 48 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Italian with removable English subtitles), an interview with film critic and programmer Adrian Wootton (24 minutes 34 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), reversible cover art, removable OBI strip leaving packaging free of certificates and markings and a 20-page booklet (limited to 3000 copies) with cast & crew information, an essay titled After the Bloom written by Marco Natoli and information about the transfer.

Summary:

Mauro Bolognini directed Corruption. He’s known for Young Husbands, The Big Night, From a Roman Balcony, The Lovemakers, Careless, and Il bell'Antonio.

A young man's father derails his desire to enter the priesthood because he wants to someday take over the family business.

At the heart of Corruption is a story about spiritual fulfillment in a world consumed by materialism. Stefano is a young man who comes from an affluent family. When it comes to his material needs, someone has always taken care of him. Wanting more out of life, he sees joining the priesthood as a way to find fulfillment he cannot find elsewhere. His father is the polar opposite and is determined to make Stefano conform to the life he’s mapped out for him.

When the film begins, Stefano is a pure soul, and it is an act of deception that corrupts him. Stefano reluctantly goes on a sailing trip with his father. When they arrive, Stefano is angered that his father has brought someone along, a young woman, his mistress. From there, his father, with the help of the young woman, set in motion a plot to seduce Stefano. Their act of deception succeeds, igniting Stefano's canal desires.

All around, the performances are excellent, especially Alain Cuny (La Dolce Vita) and Jacques Perrin (Cinema Paradiso) in the roles of father and son. Alain Cuny’s portrayal of Leonardo, the overbearing father, is pitch-perfect. Jacques Perrin delivers an exemplary performance of a conflicted character who feels trapped in his current life. Another performance of note is Rosanna Schiaffino's (The Killer Reserved Nine Seats) portrayal of Adrianna. She delivers a performance that more than fulfills the role of an object of desire.

Corruption is a dialogue-driven film; its well-crafted narrative does a superb job drawing you in and holding your attention as it builds to an exemplary finale. There are a few striking moments visually, the scenes where Adrianna seduces Stefano on the boat and a scene where an employee of Stefano's father’s company jumps to their death after being accused of stealing from it. There are two lines of dialogue spoken by Stefano’s father that perfectly sum up corruption: “There are two kinds of morality. Those who command and those who obey.” Ultimately, Corruption is an extraordinary exploitation of desire and faith whose moment of truth will crush you.

Corruption gets an excellent release from Radiance Films that comes with a strong audio/video presentation and insightful extras. Recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer