Property Is No Longer a Theft – Arrow Academy (Blu-ray/DVD Combo)

Theatrical Release Date: Italy, 1973
Director: Elio Petri
Writers: Elio Petri, Ugo Pirro
Cast: Ugo Tognazzi, Flavio Bucci, Daria Nicolodi, Mario Scaccia, Orazio Orlando, Salvo Randone

Release Date: March 20th, 2017 (UK), March 28th, 2017 (USA)
Approximate running time: 126 Minutes 13 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: 18 (UK), NR (USA)
Sound: LPCM Mono Italian
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region A,B
Retail Price: £24.99 (UK), $39.95 (USA)

"A young bank clerk (Flavio Bucci, the blind pianist in Dario Argento’s Suspiria), denied a loan by his employer, decides to exact his revenge the local butcher (Ugo Tognazzi, La Grande bouffe) who is not only a nasty, violent, greedy piece of work but also one of the bank’s star customers. Quitting his job, the clerk devotes all of his time tormenting the butcher, stealing his possessions one-by-one, including his mistress (Daria Nicolodi, Deep Red)." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.5/5

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, "Property Is No Longer a Theft was restored on behalf of The Museo Nazionale del Cinema, Torino and the Cineteca di Bologna from the original negative. The film was scanned at 4K resolution from the original camera negative and digitally restored in 2K resolution. All restoration work was completed at L'Immagine Ritrovata, Bologna."

Property Is No Longer a Theft comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 43 GB

Feature: 26.5 GB

The source used for this transfer is in excellent shape. Colors are nicely saturated, flesh tones look healthy, image clarity, black levels, and compression are solid, and the image retains an organic look.

Audio: 4.25/5

This release comes with one audio option, a LPCM mono mix in Italian with removable English subtitles. The audio is in great shape. The dialogue comes through clearly, everything sounds balanced, ambient sounds are well-represented, and Ennio Morricone’s score sounds appropriately robust.

Extras:

Extras for this release include an interview with actor Flavio Bucci is titled My Name is Total (19 minutes 46 seconds, LPCM stereo Italian with removable English subtitles), an interview with producer Claudio Mancini is titled The Middle-class Communist (23 minutes 33 seconds, LPCM stereo Italian with removable English subtitles), an interview with make-up artist Pierantonio Mecacci is titled The Best Man (23 minutes 4 seconds, LPCM stereo Italian with removable English subtitles), reversible cover art, and a twenty-four page booklet (limited to first pressing) with cast & crew information, an essay titled A Grotesque Entanglement of Property, Power and Desire written by Camilla Zamboni and information about the restoration.

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

Summary:

Property Is No Longer a Theft was co-written and directed by Elio Petri, whose other notable films include The Assassin (L'assassino), The 10th Victim, A Quiet Place in the Country, and Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion. Elio Petri was a filmmaker whose films are anchored by his left-wing ideology. Content-wise, Property Is No Longer a Theft has all the elements that are synonymous with the films of Elio Petri.

The narrative explores the role that money plays in society. At one end of the spectrum, there is Total, a young man who struggles to accept the role that money plays in improving one’s life. And in direct contrast to his viewpoint is the character referred to as "The Butcher." He lives his life by accumulating wealth at his butcher shop, and he also owns several buildings. On the other hand, these two characters come from polar opposite words. When Total quits his job, he realizes that it can no longer give him what he is looking for. He then targets The Butcher, whom he had seen numerous times at the bank.

The narrative is well constructed, and pacing is never an issue as key moments are given ample time to resonate. The characters are well defined, and Property Is No Longer a Theft employs an unusual way of introducing their motivations. These are done via scenes where each character stands in darkness and talks to the camera. Also, the opening scene with Total’s provides a preview of the story that is about to unfold.

Ennio Morricone's score perfectly sets and maintains the mood. The visuals are filled with symbolic imagery that reinforces the characters’ states of mind. Standout moments include a scene where everyone has been waiting for The Butcher and his much younger girlfriend to get home. He is wearing a stocking over his head and a hat he stole early in the evening from the butcher. He also has the butcher’s knife, which he stole, and now he is using it to intimidate them as he robs them. Other standout moments include a sex scene that was controversial at the time this film was released. In this scene, The Butcher’s girlfriend is on top of him while she wears the stocking on her head that Total left behind. And there's a scene in which The Butcher confronts Total and offers him money to leave him alone.

The cast is outstanding, and they are excellent in their respective roles. With the two leads being Flavio Bucci (Night Train Murders) in the role of Total, whose disdain for money has him constantly washing his hands, and Ugo Tognazzi (Barbarella: Queen of the Galaxy) in the role of The Butcher, Other notable cast members include Salvo Randone (Hands Over the City) in the role of Total’s father and Mario Scaccia (The Perfume of the Lady in Black) in the role of Alessandro 'Albertone' Marzo, an older criminal that Total befriends to help in his education as a thief.

Without a doubt, the most memorable performance is Daria Nicolodi (Tenebrae) in the role of Anita, The Butcher’s girlfriend. Her performance in this film is in direct contrast with the type of roles that she is most known for. She plays a character whose sexual drive is stuck in overdrive. And though Total is the man terrorizing her and her boyfriend, she does not hesitate when the opportunity arises to sleep with him. Another strength of her performances is the way in which she uses facial gestures and her body as her main forms of expression. Ultimately, Property Is No Longer a Theft is a provocative exploration of Marxist idealism that is a perfect blend of social commentary and satire.

Property Is No Longer a Theft gets an excellent release from Arrow Academy that comes with a solid audio/video presentation and a wealth of insightful extras, highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture – Discotek Media (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Japan, 1973
Director: Teruo Ishii
Writers: Teruo Ishii, Masahiro Kakefuda
Cast: Reiko Ike, Makoto Aikawa, Arumi Kuri, Meika Seri, Jun Midorikawa, Emi Jô

Release Date: December 27th, 2022
Approximate Running Time: 86 Minutes 48 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: NR
Sound: DTS-HD Mono Japanese
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region A
Retail Price: $24.95

"Reiko Ike, returns in this gonzo sequel to Sex & Fury following the further exploits of Ocho, a thief and gambler running afoul of evil yakuza in Meiji Era Tokyo." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 3.75/5

Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture comes on a 25 GB single layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 16.1 GB

Feature: 15.5 GB

Though there is no information provided on the actual packaging for this release, on their social media page, Discotek Media mentions that the transfer comes from a recent HD master and that they have performed additional color correction. That said, the image looks crisp, the colors look great, the black levels are not as convincing as they should be, and any compression-related issues are fortunately not too intrusive.

Audio: 4/5

This release comes with one audio option, a DTS-HD mono mix in Japanese, and included with this release are removable English subtitles. The audio sounds clean, clear, and balanced. Range-wise, things sound very good.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a theatrical trailer (3 minutes 21 seconds, LPCM mono Japanese with removable English subtitles), and  a slipcover.

A poster and still gallery, bios for Reiko Ike and Teruo Ishii, production notes titled Toei's Bad Girl Cinema written by Chris D., an audio commentary by Chris D., a Reiko Ike sticker, and a see-through slipcover are among the extras not carried over from Panik Houses' 2005 DVD.

Summary:

A Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture was directed by Teruo Ishii, a versatile filmmaker who worked in just about every film genre. No matter the quality of the source material, he always somehow manages to craft something that is above and beyond an amazing thrill ride. The Man from Abashiri Prison, Horrors of Malformed Men, Blind Woman's Curse, The Executioner, The Executioner II: Karate Inferno, and the Joy of Torture series are notable films directed by Teruo Ishii.

A Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture picks up right where its predecessor, Sex & Fury, left off as we see the prototagnoist Ochô surrounded by a group of assassins with their samurai swords drawn as she spins her umbrella. A tongue-in-cheek opening credits showcase not only Ochô’s impressive fighting skills but her other ample assets as well.

Teruo Ishii’s direction is inspired; he keeps things moving along at a brisk pace. with a jaw-dropping finale in which numerous naked women use swords and other weapons against their male counterparts. Also, when it comes to more exploitative elements, which are overflowing throughout A Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture, Teruo Ishii does not miss a beat.

As good as the cast is in their roles, everyone is obscured by Reiko Ike’s (Graveyard of Honor) mesmerizing performance in the role of Ochô Inoshika, a gambler who is also a deadly assassin. She delivers a solid performance that expands on her performance in Sex & Fury. And though she is portraying the same character in both films, the way in which she portrays Ochô Inoshika is slightly different in each film.

Ryohei Uchida (Bodyguard Kiba), who made a career portraying offbeat characters, portrays Jôji, who has a score to settle with the same people Ochô Inoshika is going after. Though he is not given that much screen time, when he does appear on screen, he tends to dominate that scene. His character's most memorable moment is a scene where he throws bullets like throwing stars as they pierce his eyes and forehead.

Teruo Ishii goes for a more realistic look at the carnage in Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture than Sex & Fury. The fighting scenes are beautifully photographed and executed. That said, one area where A Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture comes up short is the obvious lack of budget. Most noticeable is the overuse of framing compositions at an angle or tight close-ups that obscure the background.s increasing the level of violence when compared to its predecessor Sex & Fury this film takes disrobing to another level.

Another distinct difference is that Sex & Fury was a period film that took place in the past, whereas Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture looks and feels modern. Also, besides increasing the level of violence when compared to its predecessor, Sex and Fury, Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture takes disrobing to another level. Ultimately, Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture is a very satisfying sequel that stands well on its own.

A release like this makes you appreciate a company like Panik House that puts their heart and soul into their releases. Unfortunately, this release from Discotek Media is lacking any substantial extra content, and the audio/video presentation, though it improves upon earlier home video releases of Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture, still has room for improvement.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Big Time Gambling Boss: Limited Edition – Radiance Films (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Japan, 1968
Director: Kôsaku Yamashita
Writer: Kazuo Kasahara
Cast: Kôji Tsuruta, Tomisaburô Wakayama, Hiroshi Nawa, Nobuo Kaneko, Hiroko Sakuramachi, Hideto Kagawa, Michiyo Hattori, Shin'ichirô Mikami

Release Date: January 2nd, 2023 (UK), January 17th, 2023 (USA)
Approximate running time: 94 Minutes 39 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: 15 (UK), NR (USA)
Sound: LPCM Mono Japanese
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region A,B
Retail Price: £16.99 (UK), $34.95 (USA)

"Tokyo, 1934. Gang boss Arakawa is too ill and a successor must be named. The choice falls on Nakai, but being an outsider he refuses and suggests senior clansman Matsuda instead. But Matsuda is in jail and the elders won’t wait for his release, so they appoint the younger and more malleable Ishido to take the reins. Clan honour and loyalties are severely tested when Matsuda is released, resulting in an increasingly violent internal strife." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.25/5

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, "Big Time Gambling Boss was transferred in high definition by Toei Company Ltd."

Big Time Gambling Boss comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 33.9 GB

Feature: 25.7 GB

Though most Japanese vintage films come from masters supplied by the company that owns them, the transfer for Big Time Gambling Boss is actually one of the better-looking HD transfers from Toei. That said, the source is in great shape, and any print debris is minor. The image looks crisp, the colors look correct, the black levels are strong, the compression is solid, and the grain remains intact, albeit heavier in some scenes.

Audio: 4/5

This release comes with one audio option, a LPCM mono mix in Japanese with removable English subtitles. Though range-wise things are limited, dialog always comes through clearly, and everything sounds balanced.

Extras:

Extras for this release include an image gallery (12 images - stills/posters), a theatrical trailer (3 minutes 7 seconds, LPCM mono Japanese with removable English subtitles), a video essay by Chris D., author of Gun and Sword: An Encyclopedia of Japanese Gangster Films titled Serial Gambling (25 minutes 24 seconds, LPCM stereo English, no subtitles), a video essay by Mark Schilling, author of The Yakuza Movie Book titled Ninkyo 101 (14 minutes 35 seconds, LPCM stereo English, no subtitles), reversible cover art, removable OBI strip leaving packaging free of certificates and markings and a 28-page booklet (limited to 2000 copies) cast & crew information, an essay titled Shogun’s Reign written by Stuart Galbraith IV, an essay titled The Stars written by Hayley Scanlon, and information about the transfer.

Summary:

Big Time Gambling Boss was directed by Kosaku Yamashita, whose other notable films include Red Peony Gambler: Here Comes Oryu, Father of the Kamikaze, and The Last True Yakuza. Big Time Gambling Boss is the fourth of ten films in the Bakuchi Uchi film series. The screenplay for Big Time Gambling Boss was written by Kazuo Kasahara, whose other notable films include Cops vs. Thugs and Battles Without Honor or Humanity.

Despite having all of the elements that are synonymous with 1960s and 1970s Yakuza films, Big Time Gambling Boss is arguably one of the most unique Yakuza films ever made. Also, though gambling is in the title, outside of a very brief moment where gambling takes place, gambling does not play a large role in the story at hand. That said, despite the lack of gambling, that is not to say that the Yakuza’s other vices are not on full display.

The narrative revolves around the Tenryu clan, whose leader is on his deathbed. From there, a power struggle ensues between the different groups within the clan. And though there is a protocol by which the new boss is selected, behind the scenes there is a plan to install a leader who will betray the clan.

Big Time Gambling Boss has an excellent cast, particularly Tomisaburô Wakayama (Lone Wolf and Cub) as Tetsuo Matsuda, the rightful successor whose loyalty to the Tenryu clan is called into question due to his time in prison. Kôji Tsuruta (Golgo 13: Assignment Kowloon) also gives a standout performance as Shinjirô Nakai, a level-headed ally of Tetsuo Matsuda who tries to keep the rival factions at bay.

Though violence is a major element in Yakuza cinema, it takes about twenty-seven minutes before the first moment of carnage occurs. Also, the first hour is essentially character development, while the bulk of the carnage happens in the final thirty minutes, building up to a phenomenal ending. Ultimately, Big Time Gambling Boss is an extraordinary tale about loyalty and betrayal that is a must-see film if you are a fan of Yakuza cinema.

Big Time Gambling Boss gets an exceptional release from Radiance Films that comes with a strong audio/video presentation and a wealth of insightful extras, highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Half a Loaf of Kung Fu: Limited Edition – 88 Films (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Hong Kong/Taiwan, 1978
Director: Chen Chi-hwa
Writers: Jackie Chan, Tang Ming-chi
Cast: Jackie Chan, Dean Shek, James Tien, Doris Lung, Wu Ma, Kam Kong, Kim Jeong-nan, Julie Lee, Lee Man-tai

Release Date: May 16th, 2022
Approximate running time: 96 Minutes 29 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: 18 (UK)
Sound: LPCM Mono Cantonese, LPCM Mono Mandarin, LPCM Mono English, LPCM Mono Cantonese (alternate mix featuring different music)
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region B
Retail Price: £14.99 (UK)

"Accident-prone Jiang (Chan) dreams of learning Kung Fu from a master, but when he takes employment as a bodyguard at a shady mansion, he stumbles upon an evil witch and finds himself in the middle of an uncertain future." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4/5

Here’s the information given about the transfer, "Remastered HD Transfer from the Original Negative."

Half a Loaf of Kung Fu comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 37.1 GB

Feature: 33 GB

The source used for this transfer is in great shape; all print debris has been cleaned up. Colors and flesh tones look correct, the image looks crisp, black levels are strong, and compression is very good.

Audio: 4.25/5 (LPCM Mono Cantonese, LPCM Mono Mandarin, LPCM Mono Cantonese -alternate mix), 4/5 (LPCM Mono English)

This release comes with four audio options, a LPCM mono mix in Cantonese, a LPCM mono mix in Mandarin, a LPCM mono mix in English, and a LPCM mono mix in Cantonese (alternate mix). All of the audio tracks sound clean, clear, balanced, and robust when they should. Range-wise, the differences between these four tracks are negligible. Included are removable English subtitles for the Cantonese language track, a second removable English subtitle track for the Mandarin language track, a third removable English subtitle track for the alternate Cantonese language track, and a fourth removable English subtitle track for Cantonese text.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a English theatrical trailer (3 minutes 49 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English with removable English subtitles for Cantonese text), Hong Kong theatrical trailer (3 minutes 49 seconds, Dolby Digital mono Cantonese with removable English subtitles), Japanese theatrical trailer (2 minutes 49 seconds, Dolby Digital mono Japanese with removable English subtitles), Japanese TV spot (14 seconds, Dolby Digital mono Japanese with removable English subtitles), an audio commentary with Kung Fu experts Mike Leeder and Arne Venema, reversible cover art, a double-sided foldout Poster (limited to 3,000 copies), a gloss O-ring slipcase (limited to 3,000 copies), and a 32-page booklet with an essay titled Pushing Parody: Jackie Chan’s Half a Loaf of Kung Fu written by Matthew Edwards, and rare archive stills and posters.

Summary:

Half a Loaf of Kung Fu was directed by Chen Chi-hwa, who previously worked with Jackie Chan on The Snake & Crane Arts of Shaolin. Though there are many similar elements in Half a Loaf of Kung Fu and the Snake and Crane Arts of Shaolin, Half a Loaf of Kung Fu is one of the first films where comedy played a large role in a Jackie Chan film.

The narrative revolves around Jiang, a bumbling fool who aspires to be a kung fu master. From there, he gets his wish when he assumes the identity of a skilled kung fu master after witnessing his death. Despite his lack of skills, he finds himself constantly in danger due to his new identity.

Jackie Chan is given a role that allows him to play to his strengths. Throughout, he employs slapstick as his characters often find themselves outmatched. The most impressive aspect of his performance is how convincing he is when it comes to his character's limited fighting skills. Another performance of note is Dean Shek (Warriors 2) in the role of a beggar who has flatulence issues.

From its opening moments, it is clear that humor is going to play a significant role. In a lengthy opening credits sequence, Jackie Chan portrays various characters in a tongue-in-cheek way. And though the narrative is basic, it serves as a means to showcase Jackie Chan’s fighting skills. Having said that, the fight scenes are very good, with the best sequence being saved for the end. Ultimately, Half a Loaf of Kung Fu is a highly entertaining martial arts film that foreshadows the types of films that would become synonymous with Jackie Chan.

Half a Loaf of Kung Fu gets a first-rate release from 88 Films that comes with a strong audio/video presentation and an insightful audio commentary, recommended.

 Written by Michael Den Boer

The Killer Meteors: Limited Edition – 88 Films (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Hong Kong/Taiwan, 1976
Director: Lo Wei
Writer: Ku Lung
Cast: Jackie Chan, Jimmy Wang Yu, Chu Feng, Lan Yu-Li

Release Date: June 6th, 2022
Approximate running time: 104 Minutes 25 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: 15 (UK)
Sound: DTS-HD 5.1 Mandarin, DTS-HD Mono Mandarin, DTS-HD 5.1 English, DTS-HD Mono English
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region B
Retail Price: £14.99 (UK)

"Known as “Killer Meteors”, local hero Mei Xing He (Jimmy Wang Yu) is invincible due to his ‘secret weapon’. However, when his services are sought by another powerful figure, Hua Wu Bin (Jackie Chan), he finds himself drawn into the deadliest challenge of his life." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 3.75/5

Here’s the information given about the transfer, "2K Transfer from Original Film Materials."

The Killer Meteors comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 36.7 GB

Feature: 34 GB

Though the source used for this transfer looks very good, any source debris has been cleaned up. There are moments where the image looks soft and times where the black levels are not convincing. Colors and flesh tones look correct, and compression is very good. Also, there appears to be some digital noise reduction, which fortunately is never too overbearing.

Audio: 4.25/5 (DTS-HD Mono Mandarin), 4/5 (DTS-HD Mono English), 3.75/5 (DTS-HD 5.1 Mandarin, DTS-HD 5.1 English)

This release comes with four audio options, a DTS-HD 5.1 mix in Mandarin, a DTS-HD mono mix in Mandarin, a DTS-HD 5.1 mix in English, and a DTS-HD mono mix in English. All four audio mixes sound clean, clear, and balanced. Range-wise, the two 5.1 tracks are comparable. Though the 5.1 tracks sound good for remix tracks, the two mono tracks are a better overall experience. The English mono track has some faint background hiss. Included are removable English subtitles for the Mandarin language tracks and a second removable English subtitle track for Mandarin text.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a theatrical trailer (4 minutes 21 seconds, Dolby Digital mono Mandarin with removable English subtitles), an audio commentary with Kung Fu experts Mike Leeder and Arne Venema, reversible cover art, a double-sided foldout Poster (limited to 3,000 copies), a gloss O-ring slipcase (limited to 3,000 copies), and a 32-page booklet with an essay titled When Jackie Chan Goes Bad: Rumble in Hong Kong and The Killer Meteors written by Matthew Edwards, and rare archive stills and posters.

Summary:

The Killer Meteors was directed by Lo Wei, who is most remembered for his collaborations with Bruce Lee, The Big Boss, and Fists of Fury. In 1976, Lo Wei cast Jackie Chan in the lead role for New Fists of Fury, the first of their six collaborations. when "New Fists of Fury" did not perform to expectations. Lo Wei would then cast Jackie Chan in their next collaboration, The Killer Meteors, in a supporting role and a rare villain role.

The narrative revolves around a local hero named Mei Xing He, aka Killer Meteors, who is constantly fending off other fighters who want to make a name for themselves. From there, he is hired by a man who has ulterior motives, which come to a head in the finale.

The main attraction of The Killer Meteors is its two leading men, Jimmy Wang Yu (One-Armed Boxer) in the role of Mei Xing He and Jackie Chan (Drunken Master) in the role of Hua Wu Bin. Though Jackie Chan’s screen time is limited, his character is in the two best fight scenes. Jimmy Wang Yu plays the hero with a deadly weapon that those who have seen did not live to tell the tale.

Though The Killer Meteors does a good job laying the foundation for the events that follow, Outside of a brief scuffle in the opening moments, it is almost twenty-five minutes before the first fight scene. To make matters worse, the narrative is convoluted, and there are pacing issues. Also, Lo Wei's direction is best described as serviceable. Ultimately, The Killer Meteors is a by-the-numbers martial arts film that would be forgotten if it were not for its two leads.

The Killer Meteors gets a strong release from 88 Films that comes with a good audio/video presentation and an informative audio commentary.

Written by Michael Den Boer

The Trial: 60th Anniversary Restoration – Studio Canal (4k UHD/Blu-ray Combo)

Theatrical Release Date: France/Italy/West Germany, 1962
Director: Orson Welles
Writers: Orson Welles, Pierre Cholot
Cast: Anthony Perkins, Madeleine Robinson, Jeanne Moreau, Romy Schneider, Akim Tamiroff , Elsa Martinelli, Orson Welles

Release Date: November 21st, 2022
Approximate Running Time: 118 Minutes 52 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1 Widescreen / 2160 Progressive / HEVC / H.265 / Dolby Vision HDR10
Rating: PG (UK)
Sound: DTS-HD Mono English, DTS-HD Mono French, DTS-HD Mono German
Subtitles: English SDH, French, German
Region Coding: Region Free (4K UHD), Region B (Blu-ray)
Retail Price: £19.99 (UK)

"One morning, Josef K. is arrested without knowing the charges against him. Completely stunned, K. slowly finds himself trapped in a dehumanised nightmare and realizes he is the victim of a grotesque plot. He is accused by everyone, friends and enemies, until, worn down, he ends up doubting his own innocence.." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 5/5 (4K UHD). 4.5/5 (Blu-ray)

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "This restoration was made in 4K in 2022 by StudioCanal and La Cinémathèque Française. Audio and image was restored by L'Immagine Ritrovata from the original 35mm negative."

The Trial comes on a 100 GB triple layer 4K UHD.

Disc Size: 65.2 GB

Feature: 54.5 GB

The Trial is a film that has never fared well on home video, with all of its earlier releases coming from lackluster sources. That said, this new restoration that is used as the source for this transfer looks excellent and is easily the best The Trial has ever looked on home video. Image clarity, contrast, black levels, and compression are all solid. Also, the image retains an organic look that nicely resolves the grain.

The Trial comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 44.5 GB

Feature: 31.5 GB

Though the Blu-ray and the 4K UHD use the same source, the 4K UHD’s transfer looks marginally better as it revolves around better image clarity, contrast, and black levels.

Audio: 4.5/5 (DTS-HD Mono English)

This release comes with three audio options, a DTS-HD mono mix in English, a DTS-HD mono mix in French, and a DTS-HD mono mix in German. For this release, I only listened to the English-language track. The audio has also been cleaned up for this release. Dialog always comes through clearly, everything sounds balanced, and the score sounds appropriately robust. Included are removable English SDH, removable French subtitles, and removable German subtitles.

Extras:

Extras on the 4K UHD disc include a new theatrical trailer for the 60th anniversary restoration (1 minute, LPCM mono English with removable German subtitles), and a TMC documentary titled This is Orson Welles (52 minutes 51 seconds, LPCM stereo English, no subtitles).

Extras on the Blu-ray disc include a new theatrical trailer for the 60th anniversary restoration (1 minute, LPCM mono English with removable German subtitles), the original theatrical trailer (3 minutes 35 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), a deleted scene (6 minutes 40 seconds, no audio, English subtitles created from the script), a TMC documentary titled This is Orson Welles (52 minutes 51 seconds, LPCM stereo English, no subtitles), a interview with actor/playwright Steven Berkoff (12 minutes 51 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), and an archival interview with cinematographer Edmond Richard titled Welles, Architect of Light (23 minutes 21 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo French with removable English subtitles).

Other extras include a slipcover.

Summary:

It is not surprising that a filmmaker like Orson Welles would be drawn to Franz Kafka’s novel Der Prozess (The Trial). It has many themes that Orson Welles would return to throughout his career. Notably, paranoia, isolation, and fate also befell a filmmaker who was at constant odds with those who financed his films. The Trial can be seen as a parable for Orson Welles' own cinematic journey as a filmmaker.

Though adapting a literary source into a film is never an easy task since the written word allows one's imagination to go places no film could ever go, Orson Welles actually does a remarkable job translating Franz Kafka’s source novel. He manages to keep the core elements. He creates a nightmarish atmosphere that perfectly replicates the sense of uneasiness and dread that remains faithful to the source material.

So much has been documented about the importance of casting. And Orson Welles assembled a remarkable cast, all of whom excelled in their respective roles. And nowhere is this more clear than when it comes to the casting of Anthony Perkins, an actor who just a few years earlier had his most iconic role as Norman Bates from Psycho. Instead of being typecast, Anthony Perkins would spend the remainder of the 1960s trying to avoid any character that resembled Norman Bates. That said, a character like Josef K. is a perfect fit for Anthony Perkins when one factors in his conflicted personal life.

Other notable cast members include Jeanne Moreau (The Bride Wore Black) in the role of Marika Burstner, Josef K.’s neighbor. She would work with Orson Welles on three other films, including the never-completed "Deep." Romy Schneider (Inferno) would play the role of Leni, Josef K.'s advocate nurse, and Akim Tamiroff (Touch of Evil) would play Bloch, another accused man. Of course, Orson Welles once again delivers a delirious performance in the role of Josef K.'s advocate.

When discussing the cinema of Orson Welles, it is impossible not to be drawn to his ability to create arresting visuals. The Trial is overflowing with surreal and symbolic imagery and unusual compositional framing choices that could have only come from the mind of Orson Welles. That said, unlike most filmmakers who create visuals that intentionally call attention to themselves, Orson Welles' visual eye never feels intentionally flashy.

From a production standpoint, The Trial is an astonishing accomplishment that greatly exceeds its anemic resources. Its abstract narrative does a superb job building tension via a claustrophobic atmosphere that perfectly captures the protagonist's state of mind. And the finale provides a very satisfying coda to the events that preceded. Another strength is Jean Ledrut’s score, which is mostly made up of classical compositions. Noteblay, Tomaso Albinoni's Adagio in G Ultimately, The Trial is an extraordinary film that deserves its place as one of Orson Welles' greatest films.

The Trial has never looked or sounded better than this release. The Trial gets a definitive release from StudioCanal, highly recommended.

Note about the 4K screenshots: It is not possible to make Dolby Vision or HDR10 screenshots that faithfully match the experience of watching a film in motion on a TV. Instead of not having any screenshots, all of the 4K screenshots are m2ts taken with a VLC player and lossless PNGs.

Written by Michael Den Boer