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

ADDITION: 88 Films Blu-ray (May 2020): 88 Films have transferred Lamberto Bava's Macabre to Blu-ray. It is cited as being from a "NEW 2K Restoration from the Original Camera Negative". It looks quite pleasing on a dual-layered disc with a max'ed out bitrate. The image quality is clean and consistent - a smidgeon of color depth in some of Bernice Stegers' dresses. Not a ton of depth but there is a film-like grittiness. No complaints. 

NOTE: We have added 67 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, 88 Films use DTS-HD Master dual-mono tracks (24-bit) in both the Italian or English language DUB. The film doesn't have much in the way of audio effects or even music with a score credited to Ubaldo Continiello (Jungle Holocaust, Play Motel, Live Like a Cop, Die Like a Man) that was fairly sparsely utilized. 88 Films offer optional English subtitles on their Region FREE Blu-ray.

The 88 Films Blu-ray offers an audio commentary by Troy Howarth and Nathaniel Thompson who cover many topics including the ineffective marketing of the title Frozen Terror, Lamberto's films having poor DUB'ing, how he was more of a journeyman type filmmaker rather than expressing the flair and the creativity of his father. They discuss films of Lamberto's that they appreciate like Body Puzzle, Blade in the Dark (but in Italian). These guys are great - I especially appreciate the discussion of how spoilt we are - getting hyper-anal about cover-art etc. - as opposed to the value of simply seeing the film. Hear hear! I enjoyed it enough to probably revisit one day. There is a 22-minute interview with director Lamberto Bava entitled Don't Lose Your Head - and 88 Films include the Italian opening and closing credits, a trailer while the package itself has ac reversible sleeve (see below) featuring original poster and VHS artwork and there is a 12-page liner notes booklet with photos and essay by Rachael Nisbet.

Macabre makes its journey into the Giallo genre - partly by virtue of Lamberto's formidable lineage, rather than the use of black gloves, Justerini & Brooks whiskey or light flashing on wielded knives. Macabre has a languid pace but is actually a very decent film - part mystery and part psychological fetish thriller. Macabre has plenty going for it including pleasing a/v, a commentary and another nice Blu-ray package from 88 Films with reversible artwork and a booklet. A keeper for fans. Thumbs up!

Gary Tooze