Requiescant – Arrow Video (Blu-ray/DVD Combo)

Theatrical Release Date: Italy, 1967
Director: Carlo Lizzani
Writers: Lucio Battistrada, Andrew Baxter, Adriano Bolzoni, Franco Bucceri, Armando Crispino, Arnold Elias, Denis Greene, Renato Izzo, Frank Mills, Pier Paolo Pasolini, Edward Williams
Cast: Lou Castel, Mark Damon, Pier Paolo Pasolini, Barbara Frey, Mirella Maravidi, Franco Citti, Lorenza Guerrieri, Ferruccio Viotti

Release Date: November 17th, 2015
Approximate running time: 106 Minutes 42 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: NR
Sound: LPCM Mono Italian, LPCM Mono English
Subtitles: English, English SDH
Region Coding:  Region A,B, Region 1,2 NTSC
Retail Price: $39.95

"Lou Castel (Fists in the Pocket, A Bullet for General) plays a young man who was raised to be a pacifist by a travelling preacher after Confederates massacred his family. But when his step-sister runs away, the pursuit reveals a natural talent as a sharp-shooter as well as a bloody and unexpected confrontation with his past.” – Synopsis provided by the Distributor

Video: 4.5/5

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, "Requiescant has been exclusively restored in 2K resolution for this release by Arrow Films.

The 35mm original camera negativ was scanned in 2K resolution on a pin-registered Arriscan at Immagine Ritrovata, Bologna. The film was graded on the baselight grading system at Deluxe Restoration, London.

Thousands of instances of dirt, debris and light scratches were removed through a combination of digital restoration tools. Overall image stability was also improved. Some instances of minor damage and wear remain, in keeping with the condition of the original materials."

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

Disc Size: 35.9 GB

Feature: 30.9 GB

The source used for this transfer looks excellent. Flesh tones look healthy, color saturation, image clarity, contrast, black levels, and compression are solid, and the image retains an organic look.

Audio: 4.5/5 (LPCM Mono Italian, LPCM Mono English)

This release comes with two audio options, a LPCM mono mix in Italian and a LPCM mono mix in English. Both audio tracks are in excellent shape. Dialog always comes through clearly, and everything sounds balanced and robust when it should. Included are removable English subtitles for the Italian language track and removable English SDH for the English language track.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a theatrical trailer (2 minutes 59 seconds, LPCM mono), an interview with actor Lou Castel (13 minutes 38 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo French with removable English subtitles), an interview with director Carlo Lizzani (27 minutes 43 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Italian with removable English subtitles), reversible cover art option and a 24-page booklet (limited to first pressing)  with cast & crew information, an essay titled Requiescant written by Pasquale Iannone and information about the restoration.

Included with this release is a DVD that has the same content included on the Blu-Ray included as part of this combo release.

Summary:

Directed by Carlo Lizzani, whose other notable films are The Hunchback of Rome, Wake Up and Die, The Hills Run Red, The Violent Four, San Babila: 8 P.M., and The Bandit.

The narrative revolves around a young man who is forced to confront his past when his present collides with those who are responsible for massacring his family.

Though not as visually operatic as the majority of its contemporaries, Requiescant takes a grounded-in-reality approach. It is a film where the characters and their actions take center stage and drive the narrative. And though vengeance is the main theme, other themes like racism and classism are just as important to the evolution of the story at hand.

Requiescant is a film where the more dramatic moments outweigh the action-oriented moments. This ultimately leads to a slower pace that allows for more reflection. And when it comes to backstory, this is another area where Requiescant often excels. The standout sequence is the moment when the protagonist returns to the place where his family was massacred. And in a flash, the moments from that come back to him as the screen is soaked in blood red.

When it comes to action, there is no scene filled with more tension than the shootout between Requiescant and George Ferguson. The rules are simple: each man must take a drink before they shoot, and their target is a Mexican girl who is being forced to hold a candelabra.

From a performance standpoint, the entire cast is all very good in their respective roles, with Lou Castel (A Bullet for the General) in the role of Requiescant. He delivers a pitch-perfect performance that is in direct contrast with what one would expect from a spaghetti western protagonist. Another strength of his performance is how he evolves his character from a peaceful young man with no experience handling a gun into someone who is so deadly with a gun that they never miss their target.

Another notable performance is by Mark Damon (House of Usher) in the role of a sadistic, racist aristocrat named George Ferguson, who is responsible for the massacre at the beginning of the film. He delivers an utterly convincing performance that is devoid of any sympathy. Other notable cast members include Mirella Maravidi in the role of Ferguson’s, Ferruccio Viotti in the role of Ferguson’s right-hand man, Dean Light, and filmmaker Pier Paolo Pasolini in the role of Father Juan; his character serves as Requiescant’s protector. Ultimately, Requiescant is a highbrow Spaghetti western that is overflowing with social commentary.

Requiescant gets an exceptional release from Arrow Video that comes with a solid audio/video presentation and informative extras, highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Wake Up And Kill – Arrow Video (Blu-ray/DVD Combo) 

Theatrical Release Date: Italy, 1966
Director: Carlo Lizzani
Writers: Carlo Lizzani, Ugo Pirro
Cast: Robert Hoffmann, Gian Maria Volonté, Claudio Camaso, Renato Niccolai, Ottavio Fanfani, Pupo De Luca, Corrado Olmi, Lisa Gastoni

Release Date: November 23rd, 2015 (UK), November 24th, 2015 (USA)
Approximate Running Times: 123 Minutes 51 Seconds (Italian Version), 97 Minutes 38 Seconds (English Version)
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC (Both Versions)
Rating: 15 (UK), NR (USA)
Sound: LPCM Mono Italian (Italian Version), LPCM Mono English (English Version)
Subtitles: English (Italian Version), English SDH (English Version)
Region Coding: Region A,B/Region 1,2 NTSC
Retail Price: £19.99 (UK), $29.95 (USA)

"During the 1960s Luciano Lutring committed more than one hundred armed robberies in Italy and on the French Riviera. To the media he was the machine gun soloist , a name he d earned as he kept his weapon in a violin case. To the public he was a romantic figure, one who only targeted the wealthy, stealing more than 35 billion lire during his criminal career.

Wake Up and Kill was the logical extension of such fame. It became the first feature to commit Lutring s story to celluloid, shooting having begun mere months after his eventual arrest." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4/5 (Italian Version), 3.75/5 (English Version)

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "Brand new 2K restoration of the film from the original camera negative."

Wake Up And Kill comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 45.2 GB

Feature: 25 GB (Italian Version), 19.8 GB (English Version)

The source used for the Italian version is in great shape. Color reproduction is solid, the image looks crisp, black levels and shadow detail are consistently strong throughout, and grain looks natural.

The source used for the English language version’s transfer is on par with the longer Italian language version. The only area where they differ is that there is slightly more print debris during the opening moments of the English language version.

Audio: 4.5/5

This release comes with one audio option for each version. 

The Italian version comes with an LPCM mono mix in Italian and removable English subtitles. There are no issues with distortion or background noise, and the dialog is always clear and everything sounds balanced. Also, this audio track exhibits solid range and depth. This film’s score benefits most from this audio mix. 

The English version comes with an LPCM mono mix in English and removable English SDH. The audio track for the English language version is on par with the longer Italian language version.

Extras:

The extras for this release include an English language trailer for Wake Up and Kill (1 minute 18 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), an English language version of the film under the title Wake Up and Kill, reversible cover art, and a 28-page booklet with cast and crew information, an essay titled The Machine Gun Soloist written by Robert Curti, and information about the transfer.

Included with this release is a DVD that has the same content as the Blu-Ray included as part of this combo release.

Summary:

The plot is based on the real-life exploits of Luciano Lutring, who carried out hundreds of robberies in Italy and France during the 1960’s. He would be finally caught on September 1st, 1965, in Paris, France. Narrative wise, this film follows Luciano Lutring from his humble beginnings as a small-time crook who becomes bolder as he becomes more well-known due to the press coverage of his robberies. The film culminates with his capture in France.

Content wise, there are many elements in Wake Up and Kill that would later become synonymous with the Poliziotteschi, an Italian film genre that rose to prominence in the 1970’s. And besides the usual suspects, it's the cops versus the criminals. When it comes to its criminals, Wake Up and Kill actually breaks things down into two distinctively different fractions: those who are freelancers who steal for themselves and those who are part of a crime family. And nowhere is this more accentuated than in the scene where Luciano, who is now in France and unable to get anyone to buy the jewels he stole, is brought in.

All the main characters are well-defined, and their motivations are never in doubt. And though there is an ample amount of time spent exploring the more dramatic side of Luciano Lutring’s story, When it comes to more action-oriented moments, Wake Up and Kill delivers the goods and then some. One of this film’s strengths is its ability to balance drama and action.

Another strength of Wake Up and Kill is its ability to create tension and sustain it. And not to be overlooked is Wake Up and Kill's solid visuals which greatly add to the story at hand. Also, from a pacing stand point things move along a deliberate pacing that ensures that there are more peaks then valleys.

From a performance stand point the entire cast are all very good in their respective roles. With the standout performances coming Robert Hoffmann (Grand Slam, Spasmo) in the role of Luciano Lutring and Lisa Gastoni (The Maniacs, Seduction) in the role of Yvonne, Luciano’s love interest. These two actors’ have a tremendous amount of chemistry and the scenes where they interact are the one that resonate most. Other notable performances include, Gian Maria Volonté (A Bullet for the General, The Red Circle) in the role of an Italian inspector named Moroni and Volonté’s brother Claudio Camaso (Vengeance) in the role of Franco Magni, Yvonne’s jealous ex-lover. Ultimately, Wake Up And Kill a riveting crime drama that Poliziotteschi fans are sure to thoroughly enjoy.

Wake Up and Kill gets a strong release from Arrow Video that comes with a solid audio/video presentation and two versions of the film, recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

San Babila ore 20: un delitto inutile – Camera Obscura (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Italy, 1976
Director: Carlo Lizzani
Writers: Mino Giarda, Carlo Lizzani, Ugo Pirro
Cast: Daniele Asti, Brigitte Skay, Giuliano Cesareo, Pietro Brambilla, Pietro Giannuso, Grazia Baccari, Gilberto Squizzato

Release Date: March 12th, 2015
Approximate Running Time: 101 Minutes 14 seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVCC
Rating: FSK 18 (Germany)
Sound: DTS-HD Mono Italian
Subtitles: English, German
Region Coding: Region B
Retail Price: OOP

"12 hours in the lives of frustrated citizen sons and violent criminals who unite to mock teachers, police and society. Young people who dream of superhumanism and the state as a fortress against the inferior." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.5/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, “HD transfer in the original 2.35:1 aspect ratio."

San Babila ore 20: un delitto inutile comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 44.6 GB

Feature: 30.4 GB

This is another rock solid transfer from Camera Obscura that boasts nicely saturated colors, black and contrast levels look consistently great, details look crisp and grain remains intact.

Audio: 4.5/5

This release comes with one audio option, a DTS-HD mono mix in Italian and also included with this release are two subtitle options, English and German. The audio is in great shape, as dialog is always clear and everything sounds balanced. Range wise the more ambient aspects of the soundtrack are well represented and the film’s score sound’s appropriately robust.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a photo gallery, a trailer for San Babila ore 20: un delitto inutile (3 minutes 26 seconds, Dolby Digital mono Italian with removable English and German subtitles), an interview with co-screenwriter/director Carlo Lizzani (5 minutes 11 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Italian with removable English and German subtitles), a documentary titled Age of Violence (65 minutes 33 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo in Italian with removable English and German subtitles), an audio commentary film historians Marcus Stiglegger and Kai Nauman (in German with removable English subtitles) and a booklet that includes an informative essay titled Carlo Lizzani – an Italian Director written by Christian KeBler. This essay is presented in dual text, English and German.

Also, this release also comes with multilingual menus, English and German.

Summary:

It should not come as a surprise that San Babila ore 20: un delitto inutile has deep political leanings. After all, its director Carlo Lizzani a well-known supporter of Italian post-war Neorealism. And at the heart of San Babila ore 20: un delitto inutile is tale about too rival movements’ fascism and communism and their inability to coexist. Also one of this film strengths is how it allows viewers to make up their mind and does not try to force its own agenda.

Though violence is something that crops up throughout San Babila ore 20: un delitto inutile and it plays a pivotal role in the finale. This is not a film of violence just for the sake of violence. There is still a moral center that sooner or later catches up with those who cross the line!

Visually San Babila ore 20: un delitto inutile has a documentary vibe going as it captures the daily routines of its main characters. With that being said, there are two gut wrecking moments that takes this film and its subject-matter to another level. The first of these scenes involves Franco one of the members of the neo-Nazi group who exploits carry this film’s narrative. In the scene in question Franco who has yet to prove his manhood, his three friends force him to take Lala, a young woman they have just meet down into the storage room and have sex with her. Along the way things get intense when he has trouble getting it up and he takes out his anger on the girl. And the other gut wrecking moments is a tension filled finale where the four neo-Nazi friends decide to unleash their brutality on a couple on a date.

The cast is primary made up first time actors, most of who would not in another film. Only two actors had any significant film career beyond San Babila ore 20: un delitto inutile. They are Brigitte Skay (A Bay of Blood) in the role of Lalla the young woman who's accosted on day by a group of neo-Nazi’s while she is walking down the street. The other is Pietro Brambilla (The House of the Laughing Windows) in the role of Fabrizio, the de facto leader of neo-Nazi group that wreaks havoc throughout this film. Fortunately this lack of acting background does not diminish the performances in any way since San Babila ore 20: un delitto inutile is going for a in the moment vibe that comes off as real and not staged.

Ultimately, San Babila ore 20: un delitto inutile can best be summed up as a melting pot of various genres which creates a genre unto its own. Trying to pin point this film into one single genre or any existing genres would be doing it a great disservice.

San Babila ore 20: un delitto inutile gets an exceptional release from Camera Obscura that comes with a solid audio/video presentation and a trio of insightful extras, highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer