ADDITION: Cult Epics 4K UHD (September 2024): Cult Epics are releasing Tinto Brass' "Cheeky" in 4K UHD. It is cited as being a "New 4K Transfer (from the original negative) & Restoration + HDR". The package includes a second disc Blu-ray with further extras - it is cited as "New 4K Transfer (from the original negative) & Restoration". We compared the 2006 Cult Epics DVD with 2012 CVC PAL DVD and the 2012 Cult Epics Blu-ray HERE, and below to this new transfer. The 4K UHD is cited as the "uncut, uncensored director's cut" and the image is a monumental and dynamic improvement over previous editions. The 2012 1080P was dull and the SD had faded colors (orangey skin tones etc.) This 4K UHD transfer via 2160P and HDR is brighter, has rich black levels, true color expression is far more balanced. There is more information shown in the side edges. This is a strong disparity and the 4K UHD (atmospheric bitrate) may be the first time the film is on home video ion the correct 1.66:1 aspect ratio.

The included second disc Blu-ray supports the new color scheme (see a match below) but the higher resolution, predictably, expresses the film with slightly more accentuated colors and detail etc.

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: 44 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: Produced By Val Lewton , The Long Good Friday, The Ladykillers (software uniformly simulated HDR), Torso (software uniformly simulated HDR), All of Us Strangers, Last Year at Marienbad (NO HDR applied to disc), Peril & Distress (And Soon the Darkness / Sudden Terror) (NO HDR applied to disc), The Case of the Bloody Iris (software uniformly simulated HDR), Reptilicus (software uniformly simulated HDR), Risky Business (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Conversation (software uniformly simulated HDR), Perfect Days, Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) (software uniformly simulated HDR), Le samouraï  (software uniformly simulated HDR), Castle of Blood (software uniformly simulated HDR), Pat Garret and Billy the Kid (HDR), Fist of Legend (HDR), American Gigolo (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Long Wait (no HDR,) Bound (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Valiant Ones (software uniformly simulated HDR), Mute Witness (software uniformly simulated HDR), Narc (software uniformly simulated HDR), Peeping Tom (software uniformly simulated HDR), Dr. Terrors House of Horrors (software uniformly simulated HDR), High Noon (software uniformly simulated HDR), Picnic at Hanging Rock (Criterion) (software uniformly simulated HDR), I Am Cuba (no HDR), The Demoniacs (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Nude Vampire (software uniformly simulated HDR), Nostalghia (no HDR), Werckmeister Harmonies (no HDR), Goin' South (software uniformly simulated HDR), La Haine (software uniformly simulated HDR,) All Ladies Do It (software uniformly simulated HDR), Old Henry  (software uniformly simulated HDR), To Die For (software uniformly simulated HDR), Snapshot (software uniformly simulated HDR), Phase IV (software uniformly simulated HDR), Burial Ground (software uniformly simulated HDR), Dark Water (software uniformly simulated HDR), Fear and Desire (software uniformly simulated HDR), Dr. Jekyll and the Werewolf (no HDR), Paths of Glory (software uniformly simulated HDR), Southern Comfort (software uniformly simulated HDR).

On their 4K UHD, Cult Epics offer four options for the feature audio; DTS-HD Master tracks (24-bit) in both dual-mono and 5.1 bumps - and in both English and Italian languages. "Cheeky" doesn't have any strong violence - maybe a butt slap here and there. There is a shower scene, and beach sequences but effects are minimal. The, fairly traditional, score is by Pino Donaggio's (Dressed to Kill, Blow Out, Body Double, Don't Look Now, Carrie, Raising Cain, Crawlspace, Meridian, Beyond Evil, Tourist Trap etc.) his last of collaborations with Brass. Cult Epics include 40-minutes of an isolated score track (while showing THIS picture). It's has relatively banal compositions. The discs offer optional English subtitles - and the 4K UHD is region FREE, playable worldwide. The Blu-ray is also region FREE.

Tinto Brass' "Cheeky" is more graphic (leaning closer to hardcore), more episodic and also more polished than "Frivolous Lola". There is more nudity and the titular lead, Yuliya Mayarchuk, is less typical of a Brass gal - not as bodacious-ly curvaceous and very Eastern European looking (as opposed to Italian.) The camera loves her and she is smok'in hot. As typical of the director there are of close-ups of body parts, plenty of 'up-skirt' and suggestive scenarios. This is not disguising itself as anything more than it is... and the candor is refreshing. In this plot, beautiful, young Carla (Mayarchuk) has just moved to London. Parading herself around town we immediately see, not only a woman with irrepressible teasing, but the whole community around her is indulging in sexual activity. Her grand entrance to the city is nothing short of a public striptease. She misses her lover Matteo (Jarno Berardi) and waits for him to come from Venice and join her. Carla spends her days searching for an apartment for the two to co-habit. It seems that she cannot avoid creating a boiling pot of desire, including lesbian dalliances, in every location she crosses, but her loyalty to Matteo keeps her from going the next step. I think it is one of the more fun, enjoyable and sexy in Tinto Brass's extensive soft-core oeuvre. Ercolani cites The Key as his most famous followed by All Ladies Do It, but this is many a fan favorite. Cult Epics' 4K UHD release of "Cheeky" is what you might anticipate augmented by Yuliya Mayarchuk being a refreshingly lithe protagonist. The a/v is a huge bump in quality and this alone should be strongly appealing to fans as so much of the director's representation on digital has been 'irregular'. Great commentary and extras including a booklet - make this, like the lead character, a strong enticement.

Gary Tooze