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Blue Underground (3-disc) - Region FREE - Blu-ray - TOP

Arrow - Region FREE Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 

(aka "Quella villa accanto al cimitero" )

 

directed by Lucio Fulci
Italy 1981

 

NOTE: The 4K UHD package is reviewed HERE

 

Norman Boyle (Paolo Malco, THE SCORPION WITH TWO TAILS), along with his wife Lucy (Catriona MacColl, CITY OF THE LIVING DEAD) and son Bob (Giovanni Frezza, A BLADE IN THE DARK), leaves New York for the sleepy New England town of New Whitby to continue the research of a colleague who murdered his mistress and then hanged himself. They have rented the creaky Oaks Mansion, with its mysterious locked basement, a tombstone in he middle of the living room floor, and a slinky babysitter (Ania Pieroni, INFERNO) who job description also includes mopping up puddles of blood and making coffee. Norman discovers his late colleague's research took a tangential turn into the life of the house's previous resident, one Dr. Jacob Tess Freudstein who was expelled from the medical community for his experiments in cell regeneration. Hmm, could this have anything to do with the tendency of visitors to the house to mysterious disappear (and die gory onscreen deaths)? Lucy's hearing noises and little Bob has a seemingly imaginary friend Mae (Silvia Collatina, MURDER ROCK) who keeps warning him that he and his parents should leave the house. Dagmar Lassander (BLACK EMANUELLE 2) is the estate agent, and CITY OF THE LIVING DEAD's Carlo de Mejo and Daniela Doria (gorily mistreated as usual for her Fulci work) also pop up again. A few years later, fellow Italian horror director Umberto Lenzi and Joe D'Amato's Filmirage crew hoofed it to New England to shoot GHOSTHOUSE in the same striking haunted house location (and utilized more of the real interiors).

Eric Cotenas

Posters

Theatrical Release: 1 March 1984 (USA)

Reviews                                                            More Reviews                                                        DVD Reviews

 

Comparison:

Anchor Bay Entertainment (The Lucio Fulci Collection) - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Blue Underground - Region FREE - Blu-ray vs. Arrow - Region FREE - Blu-ray vs. Blue Underground (3-disc) - Region FREE - Blu-ray

Big thanks to Eric Cotenas for the DVD Screen Caps!

Box Covers

 

 

 

 

 

Bonus Captures:

Distribution

Anchor Bay Entertainment

Region 1 - NTSC

Blue Underground
Region FREE -
Blu-ray
Arrow Video
Region FREE - Blu-ray
Blue Underground (3-disc)
Region FREE - Blu-ray
Runtime 1:26:18 1:26:22.218 1:26:22.177 1:26:22.260
Video

2.38:1 Original Aspect Ratio

16X9 enhanced
Average Bitrate: 5.69 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s

1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 47,159,029,171 bytes

Feature: 24,130,725,888 bytes

Codec: MPEG4 AVC Video

Total Video Bitrate: 32.99 Mbps

1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 30,122,402,436 bytes

Feature: 15,565,080,576 bytes

Codec: MPEG4 AVC Video

Total Video Bitrate: 18.46 Mbps

1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 28,886,668,709 bytes

Feature: 24,638,217,600 bytes

Codec: MPEG4 AVC Video

Total Video Bitrate: 30.82 Mbps

NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.

Bitrate:

Anchor Bay Entertainment (The Lucio Fulci Collection)

 

Bitrate:

 

Blue Underground Blu-ray

 

Bitrate:

 

Arrow Blu-ray

 

Bitrate:

 

Arrow Blu-ray

 

Audio English Dolby Digital 2.0 surround

DTS-HD Master Audio English 2050 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2050 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps /
24-bit)
Dolby Digital Audio Italian 256 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 256 kbps / DN -4dBo

LPCM Audio English 1536 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1536 kbps / 16-bit
LPCM Audio Italian 1536 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1536 kbps / 16-bit
* Dolby Digital Audio English 224 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 224 kbps / DN -4dB
* Dolby Digital Audio English 224 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 224 kbps / DN -4dB
* Dolby Digital Audio English 224 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 224 kbps / DN -4dB
* Dolby Digital Audio English 224 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 224 kbps / DN -4dB
DTS-HD Master Audio English 3308 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 3308 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 896 kbps / 24-bit)
DTS-HD Master Audio English 512 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 512 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 1.0 / 48 kHz / 320 kbps / 16-bit)
DTS-HD Master Audio Italian 774 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 774 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 1.0 / 48 kHz / 320 kbps / 24-bit)
Dolby Digital Audio English 224 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 224 kbps / DN -31dB
Subtitles none English SDH, French, Spanish, none English SDH, English, none English SDH, French, Spanish, none
Features Release Information:
Studio: Anchor Bay Entertainment

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen anamorphic - 2.38:1

Edition Details:
• U.S. Theatrical Trailer (16:9; 1:47)
• International Theatrical Trailer (16:9; 3:22)
• TV spot (4:3; 0:31)
• Still Gallery
• Filmographies
• Easter Egg: Deleted Scene (1:02)

DVD Release Date: 22 May 2001
Amaray

Chapters 25
 

Release Information:
Studio: Blue Underground

 

1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 47,159,029,171 bytes

Feature: 24,130,725,888 bytes

Codec: MPEG4 AVC Video

Total Video Bitrate: 32.99 Mbps

 

Edition Details:
• Meet the Boyles - Interviews with Stars Catriona MacColl and Paolo Malco (14:11)
• Children of the Night - Interviews with Stars Giovanni Frezza and Silvia Collatina (12:13)
• Tales of Laura Gittleson - Interview with Star Dagmar Lassander (8:51)
• My Time With Terror - Interview with Star Carlo De Mejo (9:16)
• A Haunted House Story - Interviews with Co-Writers Dardano Sacchetti and Elisa Briganti (14:02)
• To Build a Better Death Trap - Interviews with cinematographer Sergio Salvati, special make-up
• effects artist Maurizio Trani, special effects artist Gino De Rossi, and actor Giovanni De Nava (21:32)
• Deleted Scene: Bar Attack Aftermath (1:01)
• International Trailer (3:24)
• U.S. Theatrical Trailer (1:48)
• TV Spot (:32)
• Poster & Still Gallery

Blu-ray Release Date: October 24th, 2011
Standard Blu-ray case

Chapters 18

Release Information:
Studio: Arrow

 

1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 30,122,402,436 bytes

Feature: 15,565,080,576 bytes

Codec: MPEG4 AVC Video

Total Video Bitrate: 18.46 Mbps

 

Edition Details:
• Reversible sleeve with 3 original poster artworks and newly commissioned artwork cover
• Double-sided fold-out artwork poster
• Collector s booklet featuring writing on the film by author Calum Waddell

BLU-RAY DISC 1 SPECIAL FEATURES:
• Audio commentary with star Catriona MacColl, moderated by Calum Waddell
• Audio commentary with co-star Silvia Collatina, moderated by Mike Baronas of Paura Productions
• Introduction to the film by star Giovanni Frezza
• Back to the Cellar: Interview with star Giovanni Frezza (15:09)
• Cemetery Woman: Interview with star Catriona MacColl (29:21)
• Freudstein's Follies: Interview with special effects artist Giannetto De Rossi (10:41)
• Wax Mask Finishing the Final Fulci: Interview with Sergio Stivaletti about his completion of Wax Mask after Fulci s passing (8:25)
• Women of Italian Horror: Featuring Silvia Collatina (The House by the Cemetery), Stefania Casini (Suspiria/ Bloodstained Shadow) and Barbara Magnolfi (Suspiria/ The Sister Of Ursula) (24:05)
• Easter Eggs

DVD DISC 2 SPECIAL FEATURES:
• House by the Cemetery Onstage Q&A Cast Reunion: Live from the Horrorhound convention, Indianapolis, March 2011: Featuring Catriona MacColl, Giovanni Frezza, Silvia Collatina, Carlo DeMejo and Dagmar Lassander
• Italian Trailer Compilation: Twenty cult trailers from the golden age of Italian cult cinema including several rare previews from the resume of the late, great Lucio Fulci each prefigured by a written introduction
• Deleted scene
• Original House by the Cemetery Trailers and TV Spot

Blu-ray Release Date: May 31st, 2012
Custom Blu-ray case

Chapters 12

Release Information:
Studio: Arrow

 

1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 28,886,668,709 bytes

Feature: 24,638,217,600 bytes

Codec: MPEG4 AVC Video

Total Video Bitrate: 30.82 Mbps

 

 

Edition Details:
• NEW! Audio Commentary with Troy Howarth, Author of Splintered Visions: Lucio Fulci and His Films

• NEW! House Quake Interview with Co-Writer Giorgio Mariuzzo (14:46)
• NEW! Catriona MacColl Q&A (29:37)
• NEW! Calling Dr. Freudstein Interview with Stephen Thrower, Author of Beyond Terror: The Films of Lucio Fulci (19:34)
• BONUS! HOUSE BY THE CEMETERY Original Motion Picture Soundtrack CD by Walter Rizzati
• BONUS! Collectable Booklet with new essay by Michael Gingold
• Deleted Scene
• Theatrical Trailers
• TV Spot
• Poster & Still Galleries
Meet the Boyles
• Interviews with Stars Catriona MacColl and Paolo Malco
• Children of the Night • Interviews with Stars • Giovanni Frezza and Silvia Collatina
• Tales of Laura Gittleson Interview with Star Dagmar Lassander
• My Time With Terror Interview with Star Carlo De Mejo
• A Haunted House Story Interviews with Co-Writers Dardano Sacchetti and Elisa Briganti
• To Build a Better Death Trap Interviews with Cinematographer Sergio Salvati, Special Make-Up Effects Artist Maurizio Trani, Special Effects Artist Gino De Rossi, and Actor Giovanni De Nava

Blu-ray Release Date: January 21st, 2020
Custom Blu-ray case

Chapters 18

 

 

 

Comments

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

NOTE: The 4K UHD package is reviewed HERE

ADDITION: Blue Underground 3-disc Blu-ray (January 2020): Blue Underground have released another stellar 3-disc Blu-ray/CD set (with some eye-catching lenticular cover art to boot). Much like their recent releases of "Maniac", "The New York Ripper", "Zombie (aka Zombi 2)", and "Two Evil Eyes", Blue Underground offer up the definitive presentation of Lucio Fulci's bizarre and beloved "House By The Cemetery". The excellent and exhaustive 3-disc set features a new 4K restoration from the original uncut and uncensored camera negative, fully loaded with exclusive new and archival bonus features. Upon starting the film, the benefits of the 4K transfer are immediately apparent with a much-needed improvement in nearly all key categories. The level of detail on display here is pretty much reference-quality, as long as the viewer understands that this is a pretty gory picture. There is a finer grain with the older BU Blu-ray now seeming a little too waxy in retrospect. The image is much brighter while showing a tad stronger black levels (albeit nowhere near the stunning spectrum of blacks found in BU's recent 3-disc Zombie set) . This is not a complaint given that the creepy basement sequences are still thankfully awash in mysterious (almost uniform) blacks, surely the intention of the filmmakers. The colors are certainly more vivid now, with brighter lighting showing more hues in both the cold (blue) and warm (orange/yellow) spectrums, thanks to the dramatic saturation levels. Fulci and his cinematographer, Sergio Salvati seem to embrace the overexposed background lighting in certain scenes, creating a strange glow around the characters in the foreground (see the bonus pic of the child in front of the window). I should note that the 2.35:1 framing is slightly changed from the older BU Blu-ray.

NOTE: We have added 30 more large resolution Blue Underground (3-disc) Blu-ray captures for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

The main addition, audio-wise is a brand new 24-bit 5.1 DTS-HD audio track. While Fulci and composer Walter Rizzati (and the entire sound department) were limited with only a single channel mono track in 1981, this new surround track adds some much needed spatial depth to certain sequences, without becoming too gimmicky. The various surround channels were effectively subtle, creating a tense atmosphere without resorting to rear surround jump-scare cues (which is surprising given the film at hand). The dubbing for the film definitely leans toward the atrocious side of the scale, yet I'd argue that this only adds to the charm of a film so helplessly off-kilter in so many ways. There are optional English subtitles for Italian audio, as well as French and Spanish options. This is a Region 'Free'
Blu-ray from Blue Underground.

While keeping the bulk of previous extras, Blue Underground have jammed a whole bunch more into their new 3-disc set. To start with, that third disc is a CD featuring the original motion picture soundtrack by Walter Rizzati. Also new here is a commentary with Troy Howarth, Author of 'Splintered Visions: Lucio Fulci and His Films'. Without spoiling what Howarth covers, I can only say that the addition of this commentary adds tons of value to this release, especially in conjunction with the 20-minute interview with Stephen Thrower, "Calling Dr. Freudstein". Thrower is another author familiar with all things Fulci, having written 'Beyond Terror: The Films of Lucio Fulci'. Whether it is Thrower putting "House By the Cemetery" in the context of Fulci's career at the time, or Howarth discussing the film's oddly poetic qualities (Thrower can't even help but be astounded at the sheer amount of quality genre films Fulci was cranking out during this phase, while Howarth takes some offense at some considering this film to be part of Fulci's Zombie Quadrology given the film's relative lack of zombie material). The inclusion of this commentary and featurette, with two of the world's leading Fulci scholars, shows the level of detail that Blue Underground has undertaken for this release. "House Quake" is a 15-minute interview with co-writer Giorgio Mariuzzo, subtitled into English. Also new here is a 30-minute Q&A with the ever-charming and graceful Catriona MacColl, who shares a some stories from the set and working with the late director. She is interviewed by Calum Waddell. Also here is a collectable booklet with a new essay by Michael Gingold, charmingly titled, "Freudsteinian Slips: Inside The House By the Cemetery".

While some may wish that Blue Underground was still putting out fresh new restorations and releases, it's easy to forgive them when they give us such fine (and definitive) Blu-ray sets such as this. Fulci's "The House By the Cemetery" never really reaches the atmospheric heights of "The Beyond" or the sheer WTF-ness of "Zombie (aka Zombi 2)", though it still has both qualities in spades. This new world premiere 4K restoration from the uncensored original camera negative is a must-own for any aFULCIonado like myself. Now if only we could get a new quality
Blu-ray release of Fulci's "House of Clocks" (a guilty pleasure from the later years).

Colin Zavitz

***

ADDITION: Arrow - Region FREE - Blu-ray - June 2012': I don't know that I can add much more than all the details and screen captures provide. The Blue Underground has the more robust video transfer looking marginally crisper, richer colors and with superior contrast - approaching double the bitrate of the UK 1080P. Both have subtitles. The Arrow offers the original Italian in lossless (linear PCM), uses the Italian title (see above) and has the commentaries and extensive extras, including DVD, in their bountiful package. Fulci fans should be ecstatic with either. Those sensitive to have the Italian track in lossless and the superior supplements can go for the Arrow. The Blue Underground give a fabulous presentation and the cost is significantly more reasonable. Enjoy!

***

ADDITION: Blue Underground - Region FREE - Blu-ray - October 11': Significant improvement of Blue Underground 1080P transfer over the Anchor Bay DVD. It shows more information in the frame on all 4 edges, much more detail, tighter, brighter colors and a far more film-like appearance. Skin tones take a quantum leap to more accurate flesh tones, there is depth - it is really a world of difference - a totally fresh film experience. Bravo!

Blue Underground have given the English track a lossless 2.0 channel stereo treatment via a DTS- HD Master at a healthy 200 kbps. The DUB is a shade over-the-top at times but adds to the Giallo flavor. It sounds quite intense at times - capable depth and Walter Rizzati's score is heavy and impacting through the uncompressed mix. Blue Underground also include the Italian track (untested) - also stereo - in a standard Dolby rendering.

Extras are un-ending with a slew of passionate Blue Underground produced interview featurettes including Meet the Boyles - a chat with stars Catriona MacColl and, seperately, Paolo Malco for just shy of 15-minutes. There is also Children of the Night which is an interview with stars Giovanni Frezza and Silvia Collatina for about a dozen minutes, Tales of Laura Gittleson an interview with Star Dagmar Lassander for 9-minutes, My Time With Terror talking with Star Carlo De Mejo, A Haunted House Story -more interviews - this time with Co-Writers Dardano Sacchetti and Elisa Briganti for just short of 15-minuites and To Build a Better Death Trap rapping with cinematographer Sergio Salvati, special make-up effects artist Maurizio Trani, special effects artist Gino De Rossi, and actor Giovanni De Nava for more than 20-minutes. There is also a short deleted scene (Bar Attack Aftermath), trailers, a TV spot and a poster & still gallery.

Wow - quite the gore-fest - WOW! - but I see the appeal. I began to have a good time with House by the Cemetery despite my reservations on the child-usage.  I can't see horror, of this ilk, being much more impressively made. There is a lot to like here and Blue Underground have done it again with a dynamic and near-perfect package that we can very easily recommend!

 - Gary W. Tooze

***

ON THE DVD: First released in the US in a painfully cropped VHS transfer by Vestron Video (the US prints featured an abbreviated opening title sequence and a different music cue over the sequence), HOUSE BY THE CEMETERY saw its first widescreen DVD release through the budget bin label Diamond Entertainment in a non-anamorphic transfer culled from the import EC Entertainment laserdisc (this transfer is still making the rounds on PD labels). Anchor Bay's 2001 progressive, single-layer DVD featured the first anamorphic transfer an an effective but not overdone Dolby 2.0 Surround track. Extras are limited to the film's international trailer, US trailer and TV spot (featuring narration by Brother Theodore), a stills gallery, and a deleted scene (without sound) extension of the bat attack. EC Entertainment released an Ultrabit transfer, but the boosted image compared poorly to the Anchor Bay transfer.

Blue Underground is also releasing a standard definition DVD (HERE) featuring the new HD mastered film and the new extras. Blue Underground's 2007 edition (HERE) is a direct port of the Anchor Bay transfer, menus and extras. In the UK, Arrow have released the film on SD DVD and are planning a Blu-Ray edition of their own with different extras, so Fulci fans may want to pick up both.

 - Eric Cotenas

 

 

 


Menus


Anchor Bay Entertainment (The Lucio Fulci Collection) - Region 1 - NTSC
 

 

Blue Underground - Region FREE - Blu-ray

 

Arrow - Region FREE Blu-ray

 

Blue Underground (3-disc) - Region FREE - Blu-ray


 

CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION

 

1) Blue Underground - Region FREE - Blu-ray - TOP

2) Arrow - Region FREE Blu-ray - MIDDLE

3) Blue Underground (3-disc) - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 

1) Anchor Bay Entertainment (The Lucio Fulci Collection) - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP

2) Blue Underground - Region FREE - Blu-ray - SECOND

3) Arrow - Region FREE Blu-ray - THIRD

4) Blue Underground (3-disc) - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


1) Anchor Bay Entertainment (The Lucio Fulci Collection) - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP

2) Blue Underground - Region FREE - Blu-ray - SECOND

3) Arrow - Region FREE Blu-ray - THIRD

4) Blue Underground (3-disc) - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


1) Anchor Bay Entertainment (The Lucio Fulci Collection) - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP

2) Blue Underground - Region FREE - Blu-ray - SECOND

3) Arrow - Region FREE Blu-ray - THIRD

4) Blue Underground (3-disc) - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


1) Anchor Bay Entertainment (The Lucio Fulci Collection) - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP

2) Blue Underground - Region FREE - Blu-ray - SECOND

3) Arrow - Region FREE Blu-ray - THIRD

4) Blue Underground (3-disc) - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


1) Anchor Bay Entertainment (The Lucio Fulci Collection) - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP

2) Blue Underground - Region FREE - Blu-ray - SECOND

3) Arrow - Region FREE Blu-ray - THIRD

4) Blue Underground (3-disc) - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


1) Anchor Bay Entertainment (The Lucio Fulci Collection) - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP

2) Blue Underground - Region FREE - Blu-ray - SECOND

3) Arrow - Region FREE Blu-ray - THIRD

4) Blue Underground (3-disc) - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 

More full resolution (1920 X 1080) Blue Underground (3-disc) Blu-ray Captures for DVDBeaver Patreon Supporters HERE

 



 
Box Covers

 

 

 

 

 

Bonus Captures:

Distribution

Anchor Bay Entertainment

Region 1 - NTSC

Blue Underground
Region FREE -
Blu-ray
Arrow Video
Region FREE - Blu-ray
Blue Underground (3-disc)
Region FREE - Blu-ray

 



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