NOTE: Lady Frankenstein is also on Blu-ray as part of Severin's Danza Macabra - Volume 1: The Italian Gothic Collection reviewed HERE

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

The Nucleus Films 1080P transfer is in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio on a dual-layered Blu-ray and has the complete restored 99 min Director's Cut and the complete restored 84 min New World Pictures American Theatrical Cut, with the latter getting a less robust transfer. They are advertised as "resurrected from the original negatives in a brand new 2K restoration". The HD presentation of the 'Director's Cut' looks quite strong with a high bitrate. Colors are bright and balanced, there is little damage and this rendering handles the darker sequences well. I found the image quality pleasing.

Nucleus Films use a linear PCM 2.0 at 24-bits in both Italian and English language options for the longer Director's Cut and only the English for the 'Theatrical'. There are plenty of effects in the film and the mono still carries some 'Gothic' depth. The score is by Alessandro Alessandroni (The Virgin of Bali, The Devil's Nightmare). It's as disjointed as the film which actually seems to make it suitable in its own way. There are optional English subtitles (for the Director's Cut only) on this Region 'B' Blu-ray disc.

Nucleus include an enjoyable audio commentary with Alan Jones and Kim Newman on the Director's Cut and they share details of the cast, crew and mention the era and genre including Hammer Films and Roger Corman's association. Excellent. The Truth About Lady Frankenstein is a 3/4 hour German TV Special from 2007 directed by Reginald Ginster and it has interviews with Herbert Fux, Mel Welles, Rosalba Neri and others. It is mostly in German with English subtitles. There is a new 35-minute featurette - Piecing Together Lady Frankenstein with Julian Grainger (author of Murderous Passions) discussing Lady Frankenstein. There is another featurette entitled The Lady and The Orgy running over 8-minutes as well as a Bigfilm Magazine (1971) - Italian Lady Frankenstein Photo Novel showing the pages to and the interesting dissection of the BBFC's 1972 'Theatrical Censor Notes' as well as 'Clothed Scenes' utilized. Plus we get English, Italian, German and US Trailers + US TV spots and US Radio Spots plus extensive galleries of posters and 'Home Video' (VHS cover) images. The package has 5, handsome, postcard-sized title-cards.

Lady Frankenstein has a lot going for it with the classic sets, Joseph Cotten and Rosalba Neri, but fall short in a few production areas. I still enjoyed it even in it's imperfections which, at times, can add to the appeal of modestly sleazy, baaaad cinema! The 'Director's Cut' has quite a bit of adult-situations. Those keen should indulge in this very competent, stacked, Blu-ray - Nucleus impresses again. Great title!

Gary Tooze