Hatchet for the Honeymoon Mario Bava

(aka "Il rosso segno della follia" or "Blood Brides" or "Hacha para la luna de miel" or "Une hache pour la lune de miel" )

directed by Mario Bava
Italy / Spain 1970

A change of pace and perspective in the Italian slasher genre (they call pretentiously call them giallos, but since they invented the format, I guess they can call it whatever they want), Hatchet For The Honeymoon forgoes the usual limp mystery about who the real killer is (these movies would never fool anyone if they actually followed any real world logic) and instead chooses to have the killer tell us his story.

This is a smart move because it means the movie can concentrate on the most interesting character and be mercifully light with the screen time of types like the nosy Italian cop, the nosy relatives of the victims, and most of all the nosy women reporters that look a bit like men (always at least one in these kinds of flicks - must be something in the pasta). Instead of one of these morons trying to solve the big case, you've the killer on a journey of self discovery.

Excerpt from Monster Hunter's review located HERE

Posters

Theatrical Release: 2 June 1970 - Italy

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DVD Comparison:

Koch Media - Region 2 - PAL vs. Anchor Bay - Region 0 - PAL

Big thanks to Ole Kofoed and Gregory Meshman for the Screen Caps!

(Koch Media - Region 2 - PAL - LEFT vs. Anchor Bay - Region 0 - PAL - RIGHT)

DVD Box Covers
Distribution	Koch Media Region 2 - PAL	Anchor Bay Region 0 - PAL
Runtime	1:24:36 (4% PAL speedup)	1:24:40 (4% PAL speedup)
Video	1.85:1 Aspect Ratio 16X9 enhanced Average Bitrate: 8.10 mb/s PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s	1.85:1 Aspect Ratio 16X9 enhanced Average Bitrate: 6.28 mb/s PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate: Koch Media
Bitrate: Anchor Bay
Audio	English Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono, German DD 2.0 Mono	English Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono, Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1
Subtitles	None.	None.
Features	Release Information: Studio: Koch Media Aspect Ratio: Widescreen anamorphic - 1.85:1 Edition Details: • Trailer (2:30). DVD Release Date: February 18, 2004 Keep Case Chapters 15	Release Information: Studio: Anchor Bay Aspect Ratio: Widescreen anamorphic - 1.85:1 Edition Details: • Trailer (2:31). • Mario Bava: Maestro of the Macabre (1:00:06). • Mario Bava Biography. • Film Notes. • Photo Gallery. DVD Release Date: July 26, 2004 Keep Case Chapters 18

Comments

Seems to be the same print transfer (same damage) with the Koch media release being slightly sharper. The Anchor Bay edition has superior extras and more audio options. Colors seem comparable on both with the Koch Media skin tones looking a shade redder.

- Ole Kofoed

DVD Menus
(Koch Media - Region 2 - PAL - LEFT vs. Anchor Bay - Region 0 - PAL - RIGHT)

Screen Captures

(Koch Media - Region 2 - PAL - TOP vs. Anchor Bay - Region 0 - PAL - BOTTOM)

Recommended Books on Italian and Giallo Cinema (CLICK COVERS or TITLES for more information)


Italian Cinema: From Neorealism to the Present by Peter E. Bondanella	Blood and Black Lace Adrian Luther Smith	Italian Film in the Light of Neorealism by Millicent Marcus	The Haunted World of Mario Bava Troy Howarth	Italian Film (National Film Traditions) by Marcia Landy, David Desser	Italian Movie Goddesses: Over 80 of the Greatest Women in Italian Cinema by Stefano Masi, Enrico Lancia	Italian Cinema by Maggie Gunsberg	Art of Darkness: The Cinema of Dario Argento (Directors S.) Chris John Gallant	Vittorio De Sica: Director, Actor, Screenwriter by Bert Cardullo

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Report Card:

Image:	Tie
Sound:	Anchor Bay
Extras:	Anchor Bay
Menu:	Anchor Bay

DVD Box Covers

Distribution

Koch Media

Region 2 - PAL

Anchor Bay
Region 0 - PAL