The Blood Spattered Bride (1972, Vicente Aranda)

Just released from Mondo Macabro is the 1972 Spanish Vampire film, The Blood Spattered Bride.  This is a film I have heard the memorable title numerous times over the years (and even had on DVD at one time), but for some reason never got around to watching.  Which is a shame, because this film featured so many of elements that I find key in a great horror film that I'm sorry I hadn't seen it sooner.

The Blood Spattered Bride is based on the nineteenth century Vampire story "Carmilla" by Sheridan Le Fanu.  The film centers on a newly married couple, young Susan (Maribel Martin) and her older husband (whose name is never revealed) played by the great Simon Andreu (Forbidden Photos of a Lady Under Suspicion).  Unsatisfied with the hotel they booked for their honeymoon, the couple end up at the husband's childhood home.  Susan begins having visions of a woman who tries to get her to kill her husband.  The husband finds a mysterious woman almost dead on the beach who he brings back to the house, which to Susan's surprise is the same woman invading her dreams.

Mondo Macabro handles this film with a lot of care and the result is stunning.  The film itself, sort of a gothic, giallo-esque vampire film, was very graphic, sexy and a lot of fun.  The cast plays their parts well and other than a senseless animal killing, is very gripping and keeps you guessing until the end.  One thing I kept noticing about the film was how every time you thought you knew what was about to happen, it took a turn in a different direction.  The quality of this blu ray is top notch, with a beautiful transfer and tons of new extras.

Special Features:

Region free worldwide Blu-ray premiere

Brand new 4K restoration from the original negative

English and Spanish language tracks with optional English subtitles

Audio commentary by Kat Ellinger and Samm Deighan from the Daughters of Darkness podcast

Two-part interview with actor Simon Andreu

Interview with cinematographer Fernando Arribas

Interview with Jonathan Rigby, author of the book Euro Gothic: Classics of Continental Horror Cinema

Three never-before-seen alternate scenes, and an alternate ending

Multiple trailers and radio spots

Buy The Blood Spattered Bride on Blu Ray from Mondo Macabro HERE

Cat O' Nine Tails (1971, Dario Argento)

Cat O' Nine Tails is a film that I love going back to because for some reason, I never remember many of the details.  I watched the film for the first time in early 2009 when I discovered the wild world of Giallo films.  Since then, I've seen countless gialli and would still call Argento the master.  His "Animal" trilogy (which includes this film, The Bird with the Crystal Plumage and Four Flies on Grey Velvet) are some of the prime examples of the genre and pretty much laid the ground work for many films to come.  It was great to see Arrow release this film in a new limited edition set so I could re-watch it again.

A blind puzzle maker (Karl Malden) and his young niece recognize a man at the scene of a top secret research lab break in shortly before he "falls" in front of a train. They go to a newspaper reporter, Carlo Giordani (James Franciscus), to see if they are sure the death was accidental. As it turns out, the death was no accident and soon everyone who tries to help solve the crime ends up dead. Can they solve the crime before they end up victims?

Bravo again for Arrow Video for continually releasing newly remastered versions of some of the greatest cult films of yesteryear.  I can't get enough 70s Italian crime and horror films, and Arrow has been on fire with their selections.  Cat O' Nine Tails is no exception, with a beautiful new 4k restoration and a ton of new bonus features.  If you want to see a prime example of the giallo genre, you can't do much better than this.

LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS

•        Brand new 4K restoration of the film from the original camera negative

•        High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentations

•        Original mono Italian and English soundtracks (lossless on the Blu-ray Disc)

•        Newly translated English subtitles for the Italian soundtrack

•        Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing for the English soundtrack

•        New audio commentary by critics Alan Jones and Kim Newman

•        New interviews with co-writer/director Dario Argento, co-writer Dardano Sacchetti, actress Cinzia De Carolis and production manager Angelo Iacono

•        Script pages for the lost original ending, translated into English for the first time

•        Original Italian and international theatrical trailers

•        Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Candice Tripp

•        Double-sided fold-out poster

•        4 lobby card reproductions

•        Limited edition booklet illustrated by Matt Griffin, featuring an essay on the film by Dario Argento, and new writing by Barry Forshaw, Troy Howarth and Howard Hughes”

Pre Order from MVD HERE (release date is February 20, 2018)