ADDITION: Indicator 4K UHD (July 2023): Indicator have released a Enzo G. Castellari's thriller entitled "Cold Eyes of Fear" ("Gli occhi freddi della paura") to 4K UHD. It is described as from a "Brand-new 4K HDR restoration from the original negative" with a "Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)" pass. In 2017 we reviewed the Redemption (Kino), single-layered, Blu-ray of Cold Eyes of Fear HERE. In comparisons captures below it had a pink hue, visible in the flesh tones, and a bitrate less than 1/3rd that of the 2160P. Aside from the more accurate skin tones of the 4K UHD, it had superior contrast, maybe a semi-tone darker and exports wonderfully rich grain textures. Indicator have simultaneously released a Region Free Blu-ray of the title with the same extras as the 4K UHD. We have compared captures below. This is a bona-fide upgrade with the improvement highly evident on my system.

It is likely that the monitor you are seeing this review is not an HDR-compatible display (High Dynamic Range) or Dolby Vision, where each pixel can be assigned with a wider and notably granular range of color and light. Our capture software if simulating the HDR (in a uniform manner) for standard monitors. This should make it easier for us to review more 4K UHD titles in the future and give you a decent idea of its attributes on your system. So our captures may not support the exact same colors (coolness of skin tones, brighter or darker hues etc.) as the 4K system at your home. But the framing, detail, grain texture support etc. are, generally, not effected by this simulation representation.

NOTE: 46 more more full resolution (3840 X 2160) 4K UHD captures, in lossless PNG format, for Patrons are available HERE

We have reviewed the following 4K UHD packages to date: Rules of the Game (no HDR), The Manchurian Candidate (software uniformly simulated HDR), After Hours, Rain Man (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Changeling (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Night of the Hunter (software uniformly simulated HDR), 12 Angry Men (software uniformly simulated HDR), Branded to Kill (no HDR), Picnic at Hanging Rock (software uniformly simulated HDR), Two Orphan Vampires, The Shiver of the Vampires, Drowning By Number (software uniformly simulated HDR), Serpico (software uniformly simulated HDR), Cool Hand Luke (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Seventh Seal (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Maltese Falcon (software uniformly simulated HDR), Mildred Pierce (software uniformly simulated HDR), Tár (software uniformly simulated HDR), Marathon Man (software uniformly simulated HDR), Dazed and Confused (software uniformly simulated HDR), Three Colors: Blue (software uniformly simulated HDR), Invaders From Mars (software uniformly simulated HDR), Death Wish (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Taking of Pelham One Two Three, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (no HDR), High Plains Drifter (software uniformly simulated HDR), Mystery Men (software uniformly simulated HDR), Silent Running (software uniformly simulated HDR), Dressed to Kill (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Power of the Dog  (software uniformly simulated HDR), Escape From Alcatraz (software uniformly simulated HDR), I, the Jury (no HDR), Casablanca (software uniformly simulated HDR), In the Mood For Love (NO HDR applied to disc), The Werewolf vs. the Vampire Woman  (software uniformly simulated HDR), Blow Out (software uniformly simulated HDR), Night of the Living Dead (NO HDR applied to disc), Lost Highway (software uniformly simulated HDR), Videodrome (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Last Picture Show (software uniformly simulated HDR), It Happened One Night (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Mummy (1932)(software uniformly simulated HDR), Creature From the Black Lagoon (software uniformly simulated HDR), Bride of Frankenstein (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Amityville Horror  (software uniformly simulated HDR), The War of the Worlds (1953) (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Incredible Melting Man  (software uniformly simulated HDR), Event Horizon (software uniformly simulated HDR), Branded to Kill (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Killing (software uniformly simulated HDR), Killer's Kiss (software uniformly simulated HDR.)

On their 4K UHD, Indicator offer modest DTS-HD Master dual-mono tracks (24-bit) in the original Italian or an English language DUB. "Cold Eyes of Fear" has violence (no gore) but most of the bass response seems focused on the evocative score by Ennio Morricone (Grand Slam, Revolver, The Great Silence, Who Saw Her Die?, The Black Belly of the Tarantula, The Fifth Cord, Luna, Danger Diabolik, Two Mules For Sister Sara, A Bullet for the General, Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!, Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion, The French Conspiracy, U Turn, Stay As You Are etc. etc.) performed by the legendary free-improvisation collective, 'Gruppo di Improvvisazione Nuova Consonanza' (whom Morricone was a part of - often on trumpet or flute.) The group was established in Rome in 1964 by Italian composer Franco Evangelisti melding jazz and avant-garde techniques. This music, sometimes jarring, is quite an effective and moving part of the viewing experience via the lossless. Indicator include optional English (SDH) or English 'translated' subtitles - and is, like all 4K UHD, region FREE, playable worldwide. This is a limited edition of 10,000 numbered units (6,000 4K UHDs and 4,000 Blu-rays) for the UK and US. It is also Cold Eyes of Fear's world premiere on 4K UHD.

There are plentiful extras on the 4K UHD disc starting with a new commentary by authors David Flint (Sheer Filth!: Bizarre Cinema, Weird Literature, Strange Music, Extreme Art) and Adrian J. Smith (Movies and Mania.) They feel the film has been underrated as viewer's expectations - yet it is not technically a Giallo. They discuss the cast, Castellari, the film's themes, ambiguity of the characters, details of the plot and much more. It was quite informative. Directing Fear is a new 25-minute interview with the legendary director Enzo G. Castellari (84-years young!) who looks back at the production and his experience of working with the actors. An Italian in London is also new and has actor Gianni Garko (Sartana) reflecting on his role, and considers the film's place within his career. It runs shy of 1/2 hour. The Men in the Editing Room is a new interview with assistant editor Gianfranco Amicucci who recalls his creative collaboration for 27-minutes. Lovely Jon on Ennio Morricone spends time with the DJ and soundtrack enthusiast who dissects the film’s experimental jazz score for a 1/4 hour. Lastly are a "Desperate Moments" trailer, an image gallery - with posters and title cards - and the package has a limited edition exclusive 80-page book with a new essay by Roberto Curti, a career-spanning archival interview with director Enzo G. Castellari conducted by Mark Wickum, archival interviews with actors Gianni Garko and Giovanna Ralli, archival news reports on the death of actor Frank Wolff, an overview of contemporary critical responses, and full film credits.

Enzo G. Castellari's Giallo-esque-thriller "Cold Eyes of Fear" has some wonderful touches including unique cinematography by Antonio L. Ballesteros (Sergio Leone's The Colossus of Rhodes) and fast-cut, creative, editing by Vincenzo Tomassi (The Beyond.) It is evocative of other 'home-invasion' films like The Dark Past, The Night Holds Terror and William Wyler's The Desperate Hours which it is said to have borrowed from (the US TV title was also, coincidentally, renamed as "Desperate Moments".) For those anticipating a clandestine 'black glove killer', this is not that type of Giallo (or a Giallo at all, although the Scotch in the film is Justerini & Brooks - J&B!) Castellari was versatile and made pasta Westerns, poliziotteschi, The Last Shark (akin to Jaws), 1990: The Bronx Warriors (echoing Escape from New York) and even Sinbad of the Seven Seas with Lou Ferrigno! "Cold Eyes of Fear" is a well-crafted thriller that looks rich and appealing in 4K UHD and the package has a host of new supplements from an edifying commentary to interviews to an 80-page booklet. Certainly strongly recommended to the genre devotees. I'm keeping it.  

Gary Tooze