NoShame Films

Region 0 - NTSC

2.35:1 Original Aspect Ratio

16X9 enhanced
Average Bitrate: 7.18 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s

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

NoShame Films

Shameless Blu-ray

Severin Blu-ray

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

DTS-HD Master Audio English 1632 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1632 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 16-bit)
DTS-HD Master Audio Italian 1589 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1589 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 16-bit)
Commentary:

Dolby Digital Audio English 224 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 224 kbps

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen anamorphic - 2.35:1

Edition Details:
•  'Dark Fears Behind the Door' 2005 interviews with Director Sergio Martino, Producer Luciano Martino, Writer Ernesto Gastaldi and Stars George Hilton and Edwige Fenech (30:58)
•  Introduction by director Sergio Martino (from the Venice International Film Festival (3:00)
•  Italian theatrical trailer (3:02)
•  Poster & Still Gallery: An 8-image slide show set to Nora Landi's score for the film (0:40)
•  Booklet with biographies

DVD Release Date:
Amaray

Chapters 12

Chapters: 8

ADDITION: Severin - Region FREE - Blu-ray - June 20': Severin has transferred Sergio Martino's influential Giallo The Strange Vice of Mrs. WardH to Blu-ray. We love when there are differences that give purchasers distinct personal choices. Essentially, I appreciate the Severin visually despite it being cropped (side edges) in sequences and it maintaining the orangey flesh tones similar to the NoShame DVD color palette. Other colors (definitely reds and greens) are bolder, richer and deeper - see Conchita Airoldi's sweater as she sits in the car, the green in the background of the note etc.. It looks softer than the Shameless 1080P and it seems probable that this is a totally different print source. The Severin is on a dual-layered disc with a max'ed out bitrate and looks quite pleasing in-motion. We don't know which image is most faithful to the original theatrical appearance. Personally, I lean to the Shameless but others I asked preferred the Severin. I found both HD presentations to export effectiveness in terms of a Giallo viewing experience, but it is remarkable how different they are for the same cut of the film.

I couldn't make the same distinction in regards to the audio where Severin use DTS-HD Master dual-mono tracks in bother English and Italian options. It sounds strong in exporting the effects and Nora Orlandi (The Sweet Body of Deborah, Boccaccio '70, 10,000 Dollars for a Massacre) score - also available as a limited edition bonus CD is the Severin package. Severin offer different English subtitle translations (see samples below) for both the English or Italian tracks. Their Blu-ray is also Region FREE, playable worldwide.

Supplements are pretty clear-cut in supporting that the Severin have the more substantial extras. I love to relax and indulge in an audio commentary by Kat Ellinger. In this case she literally wrote the book on the director of The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh with being the author of 'All The Colors of Sergio Martino' - that we can fully endorse. Kat covers Giallo, Martino's tone and themes, and she can comfortably talk with authority on various topics associated with the film, cast (Edwige Fenech- her marriage at the time to the producer, and the director's brother; Luciano Martino) and genre. She's always a pleasure to listen to. There is also a 3/4 interview with director Sergio Martino entitled 'Of Vice and Virtue'. Cold As Ice is a 22-minute interview with screenwriter Ernesto Gastaldi talking about his career, how he got involved and Sergio Martino. Vienna Vice is a 19-minute interview with actor George Hilton and Italian genre historian Antonio Bruschini plus there was room to include an archive interview with actress Edwige Fenech running almost 23-minutes in SD. There is a very short introduction by actor George Hilton and a trailer. The aforementioned bonus CD of the Orlandi soundtrack is limited to 3000 units.

Well, the Severin has so much to offer with their Blu-ray that it should be strongly considered by Giallo fans. The commentary, interviews  and CD inclusion give it essential value. We will let the debate 'rage on' about the image authenticity but, regardless, we give this our full endorsement.        

***

ADDITION: Shameless - Region FREE - Blu-ray - August 17': Shameless come out with their, much anticipated, 1080P release of Sergio Martino's The Strange Vice of Mrs. WardH. Colors, especially flesh tones dramatically improve over the NoShame DVD. It tightens up and the Blu-ray exports some rich textures. There is more information in the frame - notably on the left edge.  It is transferred in the 2.35:1 aspect ratio on a dual-layered disc with a high bitrate. Contrast has some nice layering and it looks solid in-motion. It's a substantial notch over the SD, in just about every visual category - looking far more film-like.

NOTE: The credits, title and two text notes are in English on this Blu-ray. Eric tells us: "The English titles appear to be original and not recreated (the US prints added a credit for Fima Novek who recut the American version) but the Freud epigraph is digitally recreated in a plain font)" (Thanks Eric!)

Both the English-language and Italian-language tracks are available - in 2.0 channel linear PCM transfers (16-bit.) There is the expected slight sync issue in dialogue that I would say is only noticeable - not distracting. Effects have a hollowness that I deem to be authentic. The score is by Nora Orlandi (The Sweet Body of Deborah, Boccaccio '70, 10,000 Dollars for a Massacre), composer, violinist, pianist and singer born in Voghera (North Italy) which, adds to this classic Giallo with some disorienting sequences and sly gentleness before switching gears to become aggressive. There are optional English subtitles (smallish yellow font - see sample.) The package is Region FREE-playable on both sides of the Atlantic.

We get a very brief introduction by director Sergio Martino mentioning Shameless and the 2005, 1/2 hour Dark Fears Behind the Door interviews with Sergio Martino, Edwige Fenech, and others, as found on the NoShame DVD. Thrills, Chills and Cleavage is a 23-minute interview with Martino discussing the film and his career. There is a 7-minute text bio of Edwige Fenech relating to the genesis of Mrs. WardH. Included is the Fact track option by Justin Harries (sample below). There is also a trailer and the disc starts with 4 Shameless trailers.

One of the quintessential Giallos defining the genre with an overdose of style, sex and violence and the Blu-ray gets a strong recommendation!

 - Gary and Eric