NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Arrow Blu-ray (January 2022): Arrow have transferred Mario Bava's Shock to Blu-ray. It is cited as being from a "Brand new 2K restoration from the original 35mm camera negative by Arrow Films". It offers both the restored original lossless mono Italian and English soundtracks and original Italian and English front and end titles and insert shots - seamlessly-branched into the presentation. The 1080P image is strong. The colors carry a richness, it is clean and there is a consistent film-like thickness. It looks like an excellent representation of the film with pleasing detail in close-ups.  

NOTE: We have added 80 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Arrow use a DTS-HD Master mono tracks (24-bit) in both the original Italian and English DUB. Schock has aggressive moments that come through with modest depth. The film's music is credited to 'Libra' (or 'I Libra'), relating to the group 'Goblin' with Dino Cappa (bass), Walter Martino (drums, percussion) etc. with tracks like 'L'Altalena Rossa', 'Tema Di Marco' and others with a 'Shock theme' with a gentler reprise. It certainly hints at being Giallo-esque if not only matching certain scene's specific tone(s) sounding authentically flat, clean and consistent with the usual awkwardness of the DUB being apparent. Arrow offer optional English (SDH) and Italian-translated subtitles on their Region FREE Blu-ray.

The Arrow Blu-ray offers a new commentary by Tim Lucas, author of Mario Bava: All the Colors of the Dark. He certainly is the definitive choice for Shock discussing the Argento influence found in the score, how 75% was directed by Bava - 25% by son Lamberto, Mario's relationship of children to the supernatural and use of swings, how Shock was filmed over a 5 week period with a small budget, Tim recalls his interview with John Steiner, where the actor discussed his kinship with Daria Nicolodi and friendship with Lamberto Bava. Tim discusses the careers of Steiner and Nicolodi while reading comments of her initial meeting with Bava. He gives his synopsis of Hillary Waugh's novel - that the film is based. He references in-camera effects and plenty on Mario Bava, the film's relationship to The Exorcist and much more. It is as excellent as you might have anticipated. There is much more. A Ghost in the House is a new (2021) 1/2 hour video interview with co-director and co-writer Lamberto Bava discussing the production and working with his father. Via Dell’Orologio 33, is a new 33-minute video interview with co-writer Dardano Sacchetti. The Devil Pulls the Strings, a new, interesting, 20-minute video essay by author and critic Alexandra Heller-Nicholas (author of The Giallo Canvas: Art, Excess and Horror Cinema.) Shock! Horror! – The Stylistic Diversity of Mario Bava, a new 51-minute video appreciation by author and critic Stephen Thrower (author of Beyond Terror: The Films of Lucio Fulci.) The Most Atrocious Tortur(e), a new interview with critic Alberto Farina running only 4-minutes. There is an Italian theatrical trailer, 4 US “Beyond the Door II” TV spots and three image galleries. The package has a reversible sleeve (see below) featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Christopher Shy.

I found Mario Bava's Shock enjoyable - especially in this new restoration from the original 35mm camera negative on Arrow's Blu-ray. It was easily the best I have seen the film look and the improved a/v, Lucas commentary, video essay and more supplements really advanced my appreciation. As Tim Lucas states - Bava's Shock falls short of the director's best work, and a little too episodic in its construction. However, Daria Nicolodi has a strong appeal for many fans, as does the basic plot - and Shock is certainly valuable beyond Bava-completists. It's a wonderfully complete Blu-ray package from Arrow. Absolutely recommended!

Gary Tooze