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

Arrow Video restore another Giallo bringing it to a stacked Blu-ray package. The Iguana with the Tongue of Fire (aka "L'iguana dalla lingua di fuoco") has been transferred on a dual-layered Blu-ray in 1080P with a max'ed out bitrate. It looks as good as it probably can and a true breath of fresh air after the weak VHS editions that many have subsisted with over the years. The transfer is cited as being a "New 2K restoration from the original 35mm camera negative". There is reasonable detail and strong colors, contrast is adept - there are some very dark scenes that are carried well by the HD. I don't doubt this is the best this film has looked since its' original release. Another superb job by Arrow.  

The audio is transferred via DTS-HD Master mono tracks in both English or Italian.  The 'killer' has a screechy musical note replayed when they perform murderous acts. It's high-end is piercing in the lossless and there are, of course aggressive effects that come through authentically flat with some relative depth. We get another score by Stelvio Cipriani (Nightmare City, The Blood Stained Shadow, Killer Cop, Rabid Dogs, Baron Blood, The Night Child, A Bay of Blood) and it plays fairly subtly - making itself known in certain key scenes of conflict or suspense. There are optional English or English (SDH) subtitles on this Region FREE Blu-ray. They have slightly different translations (see below.)

Arrow Video load this Blu-ray with many new supplements starting with a new audio commentary by giallo connoisseurs Adrian J. Smith and David Flint who are true fans of the genre and know The Iguana with the Tongue of Fire very well - sometimes having fun with the incongruous plot, red-herrings, real locations and over-the-top effects - having plenty to say about the performers, cast and crew. It's quite good but they do have relatively strong Brit accents. Of Chameleons and Iguanas, a newly filmed 22-minute video appreciation by the cultural critic and academic Richard Dyer and his analysis garners further appreciation of the film. Considering Cipriani, a new 26-minute video piece about the composer Stelvio Cipriani and his score to The Iguana with the Tongue of Fire. It has DJ and soundtrack collector Lovely Jon providing colorful comments. The Cutting Game, a new 21-minute interview with Iguana's assistant editor Bruno Micheli who is quite old but makes some interesting comments. The Red Queen of Hearts is a career-spanning 20-minute interview with the actress Dagmar Lassander. There are original Italian and international theatrical trailers and 2 image galleries. The package has a reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Graham Humphreys and a collector's booklet featuring new writing on the film by Andreas Ehrenreich.

The Iguana with the Tongue of Fire is not premium giallo. As the commentarists state - it is more a good time, without deep meaning with the effects usually being more laughable than horrifying, although they are unseemly gory.  It is certainly in the bottom half of the genre. The Arrow Blu-ray transfer is at their usual high level and there are many extras to give your future viewings more of a base to build interest in the production. Love the cover... completists should, definitely, hold in their, black-gloved, hands with a J+B, on the rocks, beside them on the table. 

Gary Tooze