The Boy and the Fog (El Niño y la niebla) - VCI Entertainment (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Mexico, 1953
Director: Roberto Gavaldón
Writers: Edmundo Báez, Roberto Gavaldón, Rodolfo Usigli
Cast: Dolores del Río, Pedro López Lagar, Eduardo Noriega, Alejandro Ciangherotti, Miguel Ángel Ferriz, Lupe Inclán, Tana Lynn, Carlos Riquelme, Nicolás Rodríguez

Release Date: May 12th, 2026
Approximate Running Time: 110 Minutes
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1 Aspect Ratio / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: NR
Sound: LPCM Mono Spanish
Subtitles: English SDH
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $24.95

"A woman lives in constant fear that her young son may inherit the mental instability that runs in his father's family. As the child grows, her anxiety and suspicion begin to dominate the household, creating tension and mistrust between husband and wife. Consumed by the belief that madness is inevitable, she becomes trapped in a psychological struggle between maternal love and overwhelming dread. As paranoia spreads through the family, the fear of inherited madness threatens to destroy them all.” – Synopsis provided by the Distributor

Video: 4.5/5

Here’s the information given about the transfer, “Transferred from a 4K master!"

The Boy and the Fog (El Niño y la niebla) comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 36.6 GB

Feature: 29.5 GB

The source looks fantastic; there is no sign of source damage or any other imperfections. Flesh tones look correct; image clarity, contrast, and black levels are solid. When it comes to digital noise reduction or compression, there are no issues.

Audio: 4.5/5

This release comes with one audio option, a LPCM mono mix in Spanish with removable English SDH. The audio sounds clean, clear, and balanced. That said, the audio is in such excellent shape that it is hard to imagine it sounding any better than it does.

Extras:

Extras for this release are limited to a video essay titled A Film Remembered by film historian Dr. David Witt (23 minutes 34 seconds, LPCM stereo English with removable English subtitles).

Also, the menu is bilingual, English and Spanish.

Summary:

Roberto Gavaldón directed Soledad's Shawl (El Rebozo de Soledad). His other notable films are La Barraca, In the Palm of Your Hand, Night Falls, Untouched, and Macario. Soledad's Shawl (El Rebozo de Soledad) was nominated for 14 Silver Ariels (Mexican cinema’s equivalent of the Oscars), winning 8 Silver Ariels.

A woman whose brother and mother suffered from mental illness lives in constant fear that her son will inherit their madness.

The Boy and the Fog (El Niño y la niebla) is a psychological drama that explores mental illness and its effects, not only on those suffering from it but also the toll it takes on their loved ones. The son displays traits reminiscent of the mother's own mother, such as a fascination with fire. However, the mother's overbearing nature has significantly impacted her son's psyche, leading to feelings of inadequacy and anxiety that hinder his ability to form healthy relationships. The film effectively illustrates that her fixation on mental illness plays a more crucial role in her son's mental instability than any hereditary factors.

The narrative is driven by the relationship between the mother and her son. There is conflict between the mother and her husband over how their son should be raised. Where the mother wants to micromanage the son’s every moment, the father feels the opposite, and he sees enormous potential in his son.

All around, the cast, especially the three leads, Dolores del Río (Journey Into Fear), Pedro López Lagar (Celos), and Alejandro Ciangherotti (Island of Lost Souls), are outstanding in their roles. The most memorable of this trio is Dolores del Río in the role of the mother; she delivers an inspired portrayal of insanity. The most surprising performance is Alejandro Ciangherotti's portrayal of the son. Because of his inexperience as an actor, there is a naturalness to his performance that suits the character better than a stylized portrayal would have.

While The Boy and the Fog (El Niño y la niebla) has all of the trappings that one associates with a drama, the result is a film whose look and vibe fit firmly with film noir's aesthetics. Its narrative does an excellent job pulling you in and keeping you interested as it effectively builds to its tragic finale. Another strength of the narrative is how it fleshes out the mother's backstory via a series of flashbacks. Although most of the film takes place in one location, the families' home, the camera is actually very active, and the visuals are filled with arresting moments. Ultimately, The Boy and the Fog (El Niño y la niebla) is an extraordinary exploration of madness and obsession whose finale stays with you.

VCI Entertainment gives The Boy and the Fog (El Niño y la niebla) a first-rate release that comes with a solid audio/video presentation and an excellent interview with film historian Dr. David Witt, highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Untouched (Sombra verde) – Indicator Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Mexico, 1954
Director: Roberto Gavaldón
Writers: Luis Alcoriza, Rafael García Travesi, Roberto Gavaldón, José Revueltas
Cast: Ricardo Montalban, Ariadne Welter, Víctor Parra, Jorge Martínez de Hoyos, Miguel Inclán, Jaime Fernández, Roberto G. Rivera, Enriqueta Reza, Ana María Villaseñor

Release Date: July 23rd, 2024
Approximate Running Times: 87 Minutes 6 Seconds (Sombra verde, The Original Spanish-Language Version), 85 Minutes 34 Seconds (Untouched, The Shortened, English-Language Version)
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1 Aspect Ratio / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC (Both Versions)
Rating: NR
Sound: DTS-HD Mono Spanish (Sombra verde, The Original Spanish-Language Version), DTS-HD Mono English (Untouched, The Shortened, English-Language Version)
Subtitles: English (Sombra verde, The Original Spanish-Language Version), English SDH (Untouched, The Shortened, English-Language Version)
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $36.99

"Scientist Federico (Montalban) is tasked with taking a journey into the jungle to search for a rare medicinal root. When he becomes desperately lost, he is rescued by a farmer, and soon begins a torrid affair with the farmer's beautiful daughter, Yáscara (Welter)." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.5/5 (Sombra verde), 4.25/5 (Untouched)

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "Sombra verde was restored in 4K by the UCLA Film & Television Archive. The English-dubbed version, Untouched was assembled using the same restoration master , but it incorporates footage sourced in standard definition at the start and end of the film."

Sombra verde and Untouched come on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 36.7 GB

Feature: 23.7 GB

This release uses seamless branching for the two versions. Though the source looks great, there is still some minor print debris, and the footage exclusive to Untouched comes from a lesser source. Image clarity, contrast, black levels, and compression are solid; the image retains an organic look.

Audio: 4.25/5 (DTS-HD Mono Spanish), 3.75/5 (DTS-HD Mono English)

Sombra verde comes with one audio option, a DTS-HD mono mix in Spanish with removable English subtitles. The audio is in great shape; there are no issues with distortion or background hiss. Dialog always comes through clearly; everything sounds balanced and robust when it should.

Untouched comes with one audio option, a DTS-HD mono mix in English with removable English SDH. The audio is in good shape; there is minimal background hiss and some sibilance issues. That said, dialog comes through clearly, and everything sounds balanced.

Extras:

Extras for this release include an image gallery (57 images - stills/lobby cards/advertisements/posters), a theatrical trailer (3 minutes 16 seconds, LPCM mono Spanish with removable English subtitles), an interview with filmmaker, writer, and collector of Mexican film memorabilia Roberto Fiesco titled Casting a Shadow, he examines the lives and careers of Ricardo Montalbán, one of the most beloved Mexican actors, and his co-star Ariadne Welter (23 minutes 30 seconds, LPCM stereo Spanish with removable English subtitles), an interview with writer, television host, and film historian Rafael Aviña titled Playing with Fire, he delves into the world of director Roberto Gavaldón, and the post-Golden Age Mexican film industry (17 minutes 14 seconds, LPCM stereo Spanish with removable English subtitles),an audio commentary with film historian David Wilt, reversible cover art, and a 44-page booklet with cast & crew information, an essay titled Exploring the Enigma: Untouched and the Mystery of Ariadne Welter written by Camilla Baier, a contemporary article on the making of the film titled Untouched in Papantla written by Moisés Vásquez, an archival essay titled Love and Desire in Untouched written by Elisa Lozano, an essay titled Against the Current written by Viviana García Besné, and information about the restoration.

Summary:

Roberto Gavaldón directed Untouched (Sombra verde). His other notable films are La Barraca, In the Palm of Your Hand, Night Falls, Soledad's Shawl (El Rebozo de Soledad), and Macario.

Father tries to protect daughter from an outsider. His wife left him for another man who intruded on their secluded world. Fearful his daughter might make the same choice his wife did, the father does everything he can to keep them apart and get the man to leave without his daughter.

Fear and desire are at the heart of what unfolds in Sombra verde (Untouched); the fear comes from the combative relationship of the father and an outsider who is unable to leave until his injuries heal. Fear is also prevalent when it comes to the outsiders uncertainty that he will ever escape the jungle, which nearly killed him. The desire comes from the relationship that the daughter forms with the outsider.

Sombra verde (Untouched) is like two movies; the first half of the narrative revolves around a scientist who ventures into the jungle looking for a rare medical root. In a hurry to get his expedition underway, he hires an inexperienced guide; they get lost and nearly die. In the latter half of the narrative, the scientist, now injured, finds himself on a secluded farm where a farmer, his daughter, and a few servants live. Though there is tension in this latter half, it shifts more towards a forbidden romance.

Though there are some secondary characters who appear in more than one scene. When it comes to the performances, it is the three leads, Ricardo Montalban, Ariadne Welter, and Víctor Parra, who carry Untouched (Sombra verde). Ricardo Montalban (Fantasy Island) delivers a solid performance in the role of Federico Gascón, a scientist who gets lost in the jungle and finds love. The most memorable performance is Víctor Parra’s menacing portrayal of the father. That said, the heart and soul of Untouched (Sombra verde) is Ariadne Welter’s (The Panther Women portrayal of the daughter. She delivers a captivating performance that more than fulfills her role as an object of desire.

From a production standpoint, there is not an area where Untouched (Sombra verde) does not excel. The well-executed narrative is filled with tension; pacing is never an issue, and a bittersweet finale provides a perfect coda. Roberto Gavaldón’s direction is outstanding, especially the sequences in the jungle. These moments are grueling as characters are faced with extreme weather conditions and the uncertainty of where they are. Ultimately, Untouched (Sombra verde) is a very satisfying mix of action adventure and melodrama that quickly draws you in, and its final images linger on in your mind.

Untouched (Sombra verde) gets an excellent release from Powerhouse Films that comes with a solid audio/video presentation and insightful extras, highly recommended.

Note: Limited edition of 3,000 numbered units for the US.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Soledad's Shawl (El Rebozo de Soledad) - VCI Entertainment (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Mexico, 1952
Director: Roberto Gavaldón
Writers: Roberto Gavaldón, Estela Inda, José Revueltas
Cast: Arturo de Córdova, Pedro Armendáriz, Estela Inda, Domingo Soler, Carlos López Moctezuma, Jaime Fernández, Gilberto González, Rogelio Fernández, José Baviera, Francisco Jambrina, José María Linares-Rivas, Lupe Carriles

Release Date: July 23rd, 2024
Approximate running time: 114 Minutes 54 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1 Aspect Ratio / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: NR
Sound: LPCM Mono Spanish
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $22.95

"Though a successful and highly respected physician in his humble rural community, Dr. Alberto Robles, still battles with anguish over not fulfilling any of the personal dreams he'd had before medical school and beginning his practice. Also, his idealistic and enterprising attitudes concerning medicine earned him some enemies. Along with this, there is a long going battle with local Chief, David Acosta, over unfair dealings with landowners. When a peasant woman named Soledad goes to him seeking help for her brother, Dr. Robles, is hesitant at first but relents and ends up saving the boy. At some point, Dr. Robles falls in love with Soledad, who out of gratitude has offered to help in his office. Ultimately, the ongoing battle, riddled with all the tensions, prejudices, and the feuds over land in the impoverished rural community, leads to tragedy.” – Synopsis provided by the Distributor

Video: 4.5/5

Here’s the information given about the transfer, “The digital transfer of this film was made from the 35mm acetate copy belonging to the Cineteca Nacional Collection.

The process consisted of scanning, color and sound correction, restoration of a frame and image stabilization in the credits.”

Soledad's Shawl (El Rebozo de Soledad) comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 39.7 GB

Feature: 30.6 GB

The source looks fantastic; there is no sign of source damage or any other imperfections. Flesh tones look correct; image clarity, contrast, and black levels are solid. When it comes to digital noise reduction or compression, there are no issues.

Audio: 4.5/5

This release comes with one audio option, a LPCM mono mix in Spanish with removable English subtitles. The audio sounds clean, clear, and balanced. That said, the audio is in such excellent shape that it is hard to imagine it sounding any better than it does.

Extras:

Extras for this release are limited to a video essay by film historian Dr. David Witt (26 minutes 43 seconds, LPCM stereo English with removable English and Spanish subtitles).

Also, the menu is bilingual, English and Spanish.

Summary:

Roberto Gavaldón directed Soledad's Shawl (El Rebozo de Soledad). His other notable films are La Barraca, In the Palm of Your Hand, Night Falls, Untouched, and Macario. Soledad's Shawl (El Rebozo de Soledad) was nominated for 14 Silver Ariels (Mexican cinema’s equivalent of the Oscars), winning 8 Silver Ariels.

The narrative revolves around a big city doctor who struggles to convince a rural town of the benefits of modern medicine.

Though the narrative begins with the doctor waiting for the hospital's board of governors to make a decision on his employment, most of the narrative is told via flashbacks as the doctor reflects on his time in the rural village. That said, the scenes at the beginning and end of the narrative take place in the present; these scenes bookend the flashbacks.

There are a lot of parts at play in Soledad's Shawl (El Rebozo de Soledad). The doctor narrates Soledad's story equally well, recounting several of her diary entries and interspersing them with flashbacks. The two things that run throughout the narrative are the doctor’s experiences working with the superstitious rural people and his relationship with a peasant woman named Soledad. There is a love triangle subplot where two men, the doctor and a sadistic landowner, compete for Soledad’s affection. Where the doctor treats her with kindness and respect, the landowner only knows one way to get what he wants: brute force.

All of the acting is outstanding, especially Arturo de Córdova (El Gángster) in the role of the doctor and Estela Inda (The Aztec Mummy) in the role of Soledad. They have a tremendous amount of on-screen chemistry, which further elevates their performances. Another performance of note is Pedro Armendáriz’s (The Brute) portrayal of the landowner. He delivers an utterly convincing performance that perfectly captures his character's cruelty and lack of empathy.

From a production standpoint, there is no area where Soledad's Shawl (El Rebozo de Soledad) does not deliver, and then some. The well-constructed narrative does a phenomenal job of building momentum by giving key moments an ample amount of time to resonate. The cinematography of Soledad's Shawl (El Rebozo de Soledad) is stunningly beautiful and effectively utilizes its rural landscapes. In a film that has many striking moments, the two most harrowing are a scene where the doctor saves a choking baby and the scene where the landowner rapes Soledad. Ultimately, Soledad's Shawl (El Rebozo de Soledad) is a solid drama from the Golden Age of Mexican cinema.

VCI Entertainment gives Soledad's Shawl (El Rebozo de Soledad) a first-rate release that comes with a solid audio/video presentation and an excellent interview with film historian Dr. David Witt, highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer