Released by: Arrow Video
Release Date: March 28, 2016 (UK) / March 29, 2016 (US)
Production Year: 1972
Region Code: A / B
Running Time: 1:41:50
Audio: Italian DTS-HD MA, English DTS-HD MA
Video: 1080p (2.35:1 Aspect Ratio)
Subtitles: English, English SDH
Emerging at the peak of the giallo boom of the early ‘70s, Luciano Ercoli’s Death Walks films are two superlative examples of the genre linked by their shared casting of the stunning Nieves Navarro (billed under her adopted stage name of Susan Scott) as the lead woman in peril.
In "Death Walks at Midnight" (1972), Navarro stars as Valentina – a model who, in the midst of a drug-fueled photo shoot, witnesses a brutal murder in the apartment opposite hers. But when it becomes clear that the savage slaying she describes relates to a crime that took place six months earlier, the police are at a loss – forcing Valentina to solve the mystery alone.
As you would probably expect, this is another film designed to keep you on your toes and to a degree, guessing what is going on. As is often the case, things aren't always as straight forward as they seem. If they were, they wouldn't be nearly as entertaining now would they? The spiked metal glove is pretty memorable and I wish it had more on-screen use. Like, a whole lot more. It was nice to see something outside the norm used to commit murder as it is quite unique.
Nieves Navarro once again plays our heroine in the film and she is more than just a damsel in distress. She makes bold moves, isn't afraid to get her hands dirty and refuses to be simply, a victim. There are a few actors from "Death Walks on High Heels" that also appear in this film as well. Once again we are treated to performances by Simon Andreu, Carlo Gentili and Fabrizio Moresco to name a few.
AUDIO - [ 3.5 / 5 ]:
The Blu-ray features both Italian and English DTS-HD Master Audio Mono tracks. There are also English and English SDH subtitles included. The audio sounds pretty good on the Blu-ray. There is a slight reverberation at times during the Italian track. I am by no means an audio expert so I have no idea how feasible it would be to correct something that was most likely present in the original recording. The sound effects, dialogue and Gianni Ferrio's score were well-balanced and also the sound levels remained consistent.
VIDEO - [ 4 / 5 ]:
"Death Walks at Midnight" comes to Blu-ray courtesy of Arrow Video and its U.S. distributor MVD Entertainment Group. The film is presented in 1080p with a 2.35 aspect ratio thanks to the new 2k restoration of the film from the original camera negatives by Arrow Video. I found this film to in general, look better than "Death Walks on High Heels" in terms of video quality. There is on occasion, some minor print damage visible. Colors look robust and contrast levels look good. Skin tones and black levels look good as well. The film has a thin layer of grain present and a pleasing amount of sharpness as evident in the hair and clothing of its characters as well as the textures of other objects.
SPECIAL FEATURES - [ 4.5 / 5 ]:
Play with Introduction (1:57) - You have the option of playing the film with a brief introduction by screenwriter Ernesto Gastaldi.
Death Walks at Midnight: TV Version (1:46:04) - Arrow Video states on the menu screen, "The TV version is notable for containing footage not present in the theatrical cut, and is presented in its entirety. Please note that this version contains intermittent videotape tracking errors which could not be removed." As you can expect this does not have nearly the same audio and video quality of the featured presentation of the film and it is in a difference aspect ratio as well. However, you get a few extras minutes of footage and it is nice that it was included in this release for completists and fans of the film. (Italian with English subtitles)
Crime Does Pay (31:03) - A brand new interview with screenwriter Ernesto Gastaldi which was filmed November 2015 in Rome. Mr. Gastaldi speaks about various films from his career including "Death Walks at Midnight" and meeting with Luciano Ercoli. He talks candidly about the way westerns were made in Italy vs the United States and what life was reportedly really like during those times and how they differed from the traditional western films. He also talks about working with Mario Bava on "The Whip and the Body." (with English subtitles)
Desperately Seeking Susan (27:54) - A new visual essay by Michael Mackenzie that explores the giallo collaborations between director Luciano Ercoli and star Nieves Navarro. Views are warned early on that the featurette contains spoilers for "The Forbidden Photos of a Lady Above Suspicion," "Death Walks on High Heels" and "Death Walks at Midnight." If you haven't seen one of the particular films, you shouldn't watch this extra as it is quite informative and will spoil your experience of watching the film(s) for the first time. A few others films are briefly talked about such as "Death Carries a Cane."
Audio Commentary with Tim Lucas - Tim Lucas of Video Watchdog Magazine provides the commentary for this release and once again does a fine job. He primarily speaks about what is happening on the screen but also adds some personal opinions and additional information about the cast, crew and film along the way. If you are a fan of the film or wish to learn more about it, you will undoubtedly want to listen to this insightful track.
Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx
Limited Edition 60-page booklet - As part of the "Death Walks Twice" Limited Edition box set, it includes a booklet containing new writing from authors Danny Shipka (Perverse Titillation: The Exploitation Cinema of Italy, Spain and France), Troy Howarth (So Deadly, So Perverse: 50 Years of Italian Giallo Films) and writer Leonard Jacobs, illustrated with original archive stills and posters.
OVERALL RATING - [ 4 / 5 ]
You can also read our review of the other film from this set, "Death Walks on High Heels."
