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S E A R C H    D V D B e a v e r

(aka "Murder Obsession (Follia Omicida)" or "Unconscious" or "Fear" or "The Wailing" )

 

directed by Riccardo Freda
Italy 1981

 

Michael Stanford (Stefano Patrizi, The Tough Ones) is on a break from shooting his latest horror film with his friends, visiting his mother (Anita Strindberg, Your Vice is a Locked Room and Only I Have the Key) at their family estate. A series of heinous murders follow and Michael is the main suspect due to his revelation that he murdered his father as a child. Is Michael’s past coming back to haunt him or is there another explanation? Italian genre legend Riccardo Freda’s (The Horrible Dr. Hichcock) final film is a deliriously extravagant late-period giallo with the director’s signature gothic flourishes, featuring a great supporting cast including Laura Gemser (Black Emmanuelle), John Richardson (Black Sunday) and Martine Brochard (Eyeball).

***

After nearly strangling his co-star Beryl (Laura Gemser, THE ALCOVE) to death on the set of his latest horror film, actor Michael Stanford (Stefano Patrizi, CONVERSATION PIECE) is overcome with an urge to visit his childhood home where he murdered his composer father William (also Patrizi) as a child. Michael's girlfriend Deborah (Silvia Dionisio, LIVE LIKE A COP DIE LIKE A MAN) is coldly welcomed by his mother Glenda (Anita Strindberg, A LIZARD IN A WOMAN'S SKIN) - who lives all alone in the villa with her late husband's manservant Oliver (John Richardson, BLACK SUNDAY) - however, she is extremely affectionate with Michael. The next day, Michael's director Hans (Henri Garcin, THE WOMAN NEXT DOOR), assistant director Shirley (Martine Brochard, THE VOYEUR), and Beryl join them to look over the estate for filming locations. That night, strange events start to occur (Deborah has a nightmare where she takes part in a black mass, Hans encounters a sleepwalking Oliver in the foggy woods, and someone tries to drown Beryl in her bath). The next day, Michael, Beryl, Hans, and Shirley drive off to inspect locations. Michael and Beryl sneak off to make love, and Michael wakes up to find that Beryl has been slaughtered with his hunting knife and he has no memory of it. Could he be the wandering presence that has armed itself with a chainsaw and axe to stalk the other inhabitants of the villa?

Riccardo Freda's final film is a somewhat uneven return to the Italian Gothic territory that he briefly mined in the sixties with the memorable
The Horrible Dr. Hichcock and THE GHOST (and returned to briefly in the seventies with TRAGIC CEREMONY AT VILLA ALEXANDER). Cristiano Pogany's camera prowls candlelit rooms and views incestuous undercurrents through sheer wall hangings, and Strindberg and Richardson are in fine form; however, the central lovers are uninteresting (although it is regrettable that Dionisio - who was previously married to director Ruggero Deodato [CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST] did not make more genre films), as are the body count fodder characters. Potentially suspenseful sequences are recounted in flashback, preventing the audience from identifying with the perspective characters' fear (including an attempt at a delirious nightmare sequence involving devil worshipers and a giant spider not unlike the imagery of Luigi Batzella's NUDE FOR SATAN, a nudity-filled seventies throwback to sixties Gothic horror). The gore effects - the work of uncredited Angelo Mattei (INFERNO) and Sergio Stivaletti (THE STENDHAL SYNDROME) - compare poorly to those that Carlo Rambaldi (E.T.) fashioned for Freda's TRAGIC CEREMONY (a somewhat similarly-themed Spanish/Italian co-production in which fun-loving teenagers are given shelter in a villa inhabited by devil worshiping aristocrats). Despite its flaws, MURDER OBSESSION is still a worthy viewing with a somewhat sixties Italian horror atmosphere combined with seventies sex and eighties gore.

Eric Cotenas

Posters

Theatrical Release: 24 February 1981 (Italy)

Reviews                                                              More Reviews                                                               DVD Reviews

 

Comparison:

Raro Video (Italy) - Region 0 - PAL vs. Raro Video USA - Region 0 - NTSC vs. Raro Video USA (2012) - Region FREE - Blu-ray vs. Raro Video UK (2023) - Region FREE - Blu-ray

Big thanks to Eric Cotenas for all the DVD Screen Caps!

Box Covers

 

 

 

 

 

BONUS CAPTURES:

Distribution

Raro Video (Italy)

Region 0 - PAL

Raro Video USA
Region 0 - NTSC

Raro Video USA (2012)

Region FREE - Blu-ray

Raro Video UK (2023)

Region FREE - Blu-ray

Runtime 1:33:06 (4% PAL speedup) 1:37:09 1:37:18.749 1:37:17.498
Video

1.85:1 Original Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 5.23 mb/s
PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s

1.85:1 Original Aspect Ratio

16X9 enhanced
Average Bitrate: 5.6 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s

1.85:1 - 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 44,374,197,932 bytes

Feature: 23,689,943,040 bytes

Video Bitrate: 29.21 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

1.85:1 - 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 48,279,106,520 bytes

Feature: 23,838,968,832 bytes

Video Bitrate: 29.98 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

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

Bitrate:

Raro Video (Italy)

 

Bitrate:

Raro Video USA

 

Bitrate:

Raro (2012) Blu-ray

 

English version on Raro (both) Blu-ray

Bitrate:

Raro (2023) Blu-ray

 

Audio Italian Dolby Digital 2.0 mono; English Dolby Digital 2.0 mono

English Dolby Digital 2.0 mono

DTS-HD Master Audio Italian 1583 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1583 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)

English Version has:

DTS-HD Master Audio English 1587 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1587 kbps / 24-bit (DTS
Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)

DTS-HD Master Audio Italian 868 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 868 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 24-bit)
Commentary:

Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / DN -30dB

Subtitles English (for Italian-only scenes on English track), none English (for Italian-only scenes) English (for both version) English (SDH) (for both version)
Features Release Information:
Studio: Raro Video (Italy)

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen letterboxed - 1.85:1

Edition Details:
• Interview with Sergio Stivaletti (4:3; 9:37)
• Deleted Scene (4:3; 0:23)
• Liner Notes Booklet

DVD Release Date: 19 July 2007
Amaray

Chapters 10
 

Release Information:
Studio: Raro Video USA

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen anamorphic - 1.85:1

Edition Details:
• Interview with Sergio Stivaletti (4:3; 10:03)
• DVD Credits
• Liner Notes Booklet

 

DVD Release Date: 6 December 2011
Amaray

Chapters 10

Release Information:
Studio: Raro Video USA
(2012)

 

1.85:1 - 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray
Disc Size: 44,374,197,932 bytes
Feature: 23,689,943,040 bytes
Video Bitrate: 29.21 Mbps
Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
 

Edition Details:

• English Version of Murder Obsession (1:31:35.323 in 1080P - 17 Gig - 21.99 Mbps)
• Interview with Sergio Stivaletti (10:05 in 480i)

• Interview with Claudio Simonetti (22:04 in 480i)

• Interview with Gabriele Albanesi (8:52 in 480i)

• Deleted Scenes (:24 in 480i)
• Blu-ray Credits
• 12-page liner Notes Booklet

 

Blu-ray Release Date: May 8th, 2012
Standard Blu-ray case

Chapters 10

Release Information:
Studio: Raro Video U
K (2023)

 

1.85:1 - 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 48,279,106,520 bytes

Feature: 23,838,968,832 bytes

Video Bitrate: 29.98 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video


 

Edition Details:

Audio commentary by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas
• Interview with make-up effects artist Sergio Stivaletti (10:05)
• Interview with composer Claudio Simonetti (22:04)
• Appreciation by filmmaker Gabriele Albanesi (8:33)
• Deleted scene (0:25)
Reversible sleeve featuring artwork based on original posters
New and improved English subtitle translation for Italian audio and English SDH for English audio
Limited edition booklet with new writing by Mikel J. Koven, author of La Dolce Morte: Vernacular Cinema and the Italian Giallo

 

Blu-ray Release Date: December 18th, 2023
Standard Blu-ray case

Chapters 10

 

 

 

Comments

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

ADDITION Raro Blu-ray - November 2023: Raro have improved on their 2012 Blu-ray (and DVDs) of Riccardo Freda's "Murder Obsession". It is cited as "High Definition digital transfer from the original camera negative presented in two versions: the original uncut Italian edit with the original score and, for the first time on digital formats, the shorter re-edited English version and electronic score". This 2023 transfer looks much better - tighter, better contrast, warmer skins tones - still maintaining grain structure. See our matched large comparison captures. The 2012 transfer has black bars on the side edges - this does not.

NOTE: Eric informs us: "... the Radiance disc’s English version is different from the Raro USA one. The Raro USA version is a cut down version of the Italian version with the English track synchronized to it.

The Radiance English version uses the Italian master but also SD inserts to recreate the English Export version which featured an exclusive sequence of Laura Gemser wandering the corridors at night in place of the Italian version’s 5 minute scene between Anita Strindberg and Henri Garcin
." (Thanks Eric!)

The audio is, actually, in a less robust DTS-HD Master track - dual-mono (24-bit) in the original Italian. Perhaps a shade less impactful in the various violence and screams present in the film. The score was by Franco Mannino (Visconti's L'innocente and Conversation Piece, John Huston's Beat the Devil, and Giuseppe Patroni Griffi's The Driver's Seat). It sounds decent and authentically flat with emphasis on the more hokey effects. Raro include optional English subtitles on their Region FREE Blu-ray.

As a bonus Raro have included the English version (6 minutes shorter) - also in 1080P and with lossless sound. Picture quality is about the same - slightly less consistent - technically it is solid (21 Gig - 30.00 Mbps bitrate, like the original Italian-language feature). It has 16-bit DTS-HD Master in the English DUB and optional English subtitles. Image quality compares well.

Supplements add an audio commentary by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas author of Rape Revenge Films. I've enjoyed her horror commentaries in the past and she is well-researched and covers salient points of interest on the film and interpretations. The 2023 Blu-ray offers the same 10-minute interview with Sergio Stivaletti (now in 1080P) as found on their previous DVD and 2012 Blu-ray. Also repeated are interviews with Claudio Simonetti (composer and founder of Goblin) for 22-minutes and with Gabriele Albanesi for about 9-minutes - both discussing Murder Obsession in Italian with English subtitles. There is a brief 24-seconds of deleted scenes in 4:3 and a 12-page liner notes limited edition booklet with new writing by Mikel J. Koven, author of La Dolce Morte: Vernacular Cinema and the Italian Giallo.

In 1969, Fabio Piccioni (once assistant director to Lucio Fulci) wrote a short story titled Il grido del Capricorno (The Cry of Capricorn), which he later adapted into an adult comic book. Dario Argento bought the rights and some elements would appear in his films The Bird with the Crystal Plumage and Deep Red. Piccioni modernized his original story and with Antonio Cesare Corti + Riccardo Freda it would evolve into Murder Obsession, as an Italian and French co-production. It's a Giallo that leads with fantastic imagery including torture, misleading and distracting clues, murder plus titillation with Indonesian-Dutch Laura Gemser (Violence in a Women's Prison,) famous for erotic cinema, Swedish beauty Anita Strindberg (The Case of the Scorpion's Tale,) who started her career in gialli, sexy French actress Martine Brochard (Tinto Brass' The Voyeur) and luscious Italian actress Silvia Dionisio (Waves of Lust.) The new Raro Blu-ray has the improved video and Alexandra Heller-Nicholas commentary. Fans of this genre should add this wild entry to the library.  

***

ADDITION Raro Blu-ray - April 2012: I think this is a significant upgrade over the SD versions. It improves from the flatter video-look to a textured, more detailed and overall richer image. There is a high bitrate and the image often shows depth as well as  pleasing film grain. Contrast is handled far superior and colors tighten-up. Under scrutinization it is quite a visual improvement.

As a bonus Raro have included the English version (6 minutes shorter) - also in 1080P and with lossless sound. Picture quality is about the same - not as consistent - technically it is marginally inferior (17 Gig - 22 Mbps bitrate).

Audio gets the lossless treatment and stays 2.0 channel for both Italian and English versions and has some bass and the higher end supports Franco Mannino's tinny score.

Very solid upgrade from Raro - improving and adding value in all categories - a/v and extras. This is easily the definitive version and fans should indulge to own the most film-like and complete package available of Murder Obsession. 

- Gary Tooze

***

ON THE DVDs: Raro USA's single-layer, progressive transfer is more than a 16:9 upgrade. It improves on the color, contrast, and framing over the Raro Italy DVD. The opening text suggests that Raro USA has augmented the English cut with scenes from the longer Italian cut, but this is not true. It is the longer Italian version, not a composite cut. The audio is a composite work, however, and the Italian-only scenes have English subtitles (as they did on the import). Regrettably, Raro USA has dropped the Italian track which features a piano score by Franco Mannino (who scored Visconti's last two films and conducted the classical music selections for his DEATH IN VENICE and LUDWIG) which features original compositions by Mannino as well as performances of Bach's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" and "Well Tempered Clavier" as well as Liszt's "Liebestraum." The English track features an intrusive keyboard score in place of the original Mannino piano pieces (the Bach and Liszt cues remain) and is heard over scenes that play without scoring on the Italian track. The only extra on the disc is a subtitled interview with make-up and visual effects artist Sergio Stivaletti, who worked uncredited along side Angelo Mattei on the gore effects. A liner notes booklet is also included.

Raro reportedly have a Blu-ray edition in the works for 2012.

 - Eric Cotenas

 


Menus


(
Raro Video (Italy) - Region 0 - PAL - LEFT vs. Raro Video USA - Region 0 - NTSC - RIGHT)


 

 

 

Raro Video USA - Region FREE - Blu-ray

 

 

Raro Video UK (2023) - Region FREE - Blu-ray

 


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

 

Subtitle Samples

  

1) Raro Video USA (2012) - Region FREE - Blu-ray - TOP

2) Raro Video UK (2023) - Region FREE - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 

 

Screen Captures

 

1) Raro Video (Italy) - Region 0 - PAL - TOP

2) Raro Video USA - Region 0 - NTSC - SECOND

3) Raro Video USA (2012) - Region FREE - Blu-ray - THIRD

4) Raro Video UK (2023) - Region FREE - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 


1) Raro Video (Italy) - Region 0 - PAL - TOP

2) Raro Video USA - Region 0 - NTSC - SECOND

3) Raro Video USA (2012) - Region FREE - Blu-ray - THIRD

4) Raro Video UK (2023) - Region FREE - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 


1) Raro Video (Italy) - Region 0 - PAL - TOP

2) Raro Video USA - Region 0 - NTSC - SECOND

3) Raro Video USA (2012) - Region FREE - Blu-ray - THIRD

4) Raro Video UK (2023) - Region FREE - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 


1) Raro Video (Italy) - Region 0 - PAL - TOP

2) Raro Video USA - Region 0 - NTSC - SECOND

3) Raro Video USA (2012) - Region FREE - Blu-ray - THIRD

4) Raro Video UK (2023) - Region FREE - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 

 


1) Raro Video (Italy) - Region 0 - PAL - TOP

2) Raro Video USA - Region 0 - NTSC - SECOND

3) Raro Video USA (2012) - Region FREE - Blu-ray - THIRD

4) Raro Video UK (2023) - Region FREE - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 


More Raro 2023 Blu-ray




 


 

Examples of NSFW (Not Safe For Work) CAPTURES  (Mouse Over to see- CLICK to Enlarge)

 


More full resolution (1920 X 1080) Raro 2023 Blu-ray Captures for DVDBeaver Patreon Supporters HERE

 

 

Report Card:

Image:

2023 Blu-ray

Sound:

Blu-ray

Extras: 2023 Blu-ray

 
Box Covers

 

 

 

 

 

BONUS CAPTURES:

Distribution

Raro Video (Italy)

Region 0 - PAL

Raro Video USA
Region 0 - NTSC

Raro Video USA (2012)

Region FREE - Blu-ray

Raro Video UK (2023)

Region FREE - Blu-ray

 




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