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

Kino Lorber bring us "The Psychopath" on a single-layered Blu-ray disc with a strong bitrate. As Howarth mentions in his commentary, this film has not been available on physical media in the US before, and the damage evident on this print might explain why. There are vertical scratches (sometimes many at a time) clearly evident for the first 20-minutes or so, after which they are briefly seen. This is probably due to the source print. Barring some expensive and labor-intensive restoration, this is probably the best this film will look for the time being (unless another, more pristine print is unearthed). The rest of the film looks decent, with fairly good detail in close-up shots, and a decent amount of grain. Colors come through looking deep and rich.

We have learned that the 4K scan for THE PSYCHOPATH was from the techniscope original camera negative. The first reel of the OCN was damaged and included vertical lines throughout, they did what they could to improve it. A full restoration would've cost high six figures. This explains the condition issues.

The DTS-HD Master audio track here is presented in 2.0 audio track (16-bit). There is another strong score by Elisabeth Lutyens' (Never Take Sweets From a Stranger, The Skull, The Terrornauts, Paranoiac, The Earth Dies Screaming)  There are optional English subtitles on this Region 'A' Blu-ray Disc.

First up we have a great audio commentary with author, Troy Howarth (Author of the "So Deadly, So Perverse" trilogy of books on Giallo films. Howarth mentions that "The Psychopath" is Amicus's rarest of films, having never been released on VHS, DVD or Laserdisc in the USA. Howarth also credits this film for quite-possibly being the first example of the Giallo style of film. Aside from the commentary, we get a "Trailers From Hell" with Joe Dante on "The Skull"(2:35). The trailer for "The Psychopath" (02:13) is here as well as trailers for "The Oblong Box", "The Crimson Cult", "Twice-Told Tales", "Black Sabbath" and "The Premature Burial". The package has reversible art (see below).

Robert Bloch, of Psycho fame, penned the screenplay for this precursor to the Giallo. Horror fans can finally get their hands on a copy of this rarely seen film. Although the damage to the film is prevalent throughout the first 20-minutes or so, the rest of the film is in much better shape. Highly recommended to anyone interested.

Colin Zavitz