Giallo films for those not familiar are slower paced mystery/thriller with horror elaments. These can be of the slasher, supernatural, or at times erotic film that originated in Italy. Durring the early to mid 70s these types of films experienced a spike in popularity all the way here in America. Horror fans were particularly fond of these films for the suspense elaments as well as the more graphic murder fx.
During this time frame a director by the name of Emilio Miraglia made 2 of the more popular films, The Night Evelyn Came Out of the Grave and The Red Queen Kills Seven Times. These have been circulating around for many years but now Arrow has finally put out a beatuful 2k restoration of these on a limited 4 disc Blu Ray set
Evelyn is the story of Alan. A rich man who after catching his wife Evelyn cheating on him kills her, it's downhill after that as he is institutionalised. Once out he decides to cope by killing random readheads he picks up. He is convinced that re marrying a woman will cure him of this issue. Too bad once he's married people around him start getting killed and he and his new wife start seeing a mysterious zombie woman. Is it Evelyn?
The Red Queen Kills Seven Times Is a more supernatural themed mystery. Its the story of 2 sisters Franziska and Kitty, who Are lucky enough to be in a family that is apparently cursed. See there was another sister named Evelyn, she was murdered and then a cover up ensued. So when there grandfather dies people around them start getting killed just like in the legend of a painting they have called The Red Queen Kills Seven Times. Is it the Red Queen? Is it Evelyn back from the dead?
Ok now like I said before these films have been issued before in various formats, and anyone who knows me knows I am not into re buying films I have. However this is the time to make an exception.
Arrow has outdone themselves with these transfers. Everything about them looks absolutely stunning. The sound quality is perfect. The special features are amazing as well. This limited 4 disc set contains the following
Brand new 2K restorations of the films from the original camera negatives
High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentations
Original Italian and English soundtracks in mono audio (lossless DTS-HD Master Audio on the Blu-ray Discs)
Newly translated English subtitles for the Italian soundtracks
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing for the English soundtracks
Limited Edition 60-page booklet containing new writing by James Blackford, Kat Ellinger, Leonard Jacobs and Rachael Nisbet
THE NIGHT EVELYN CAME OUT OF THE GRAVE
New audio commentary by Troy Howarth
Exclusive introduction by actress Erika Blanc
Writer Stephen Thrower on The Night Evelyn Came Out of the Grave
The Night Erika Came Out of the Grave exclusive interview with Erika Blanc
The Whip and the Body archival interview with Erika Blanc
Still Rising from the Grave archival interview with production designer Lorenzo Baraldi
Original Italian and US theatrical trailers
Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx
THE RED QUEEN KILLS SEVEN TIMES
New audio commentary by Alan Jones and Kim Newman
Writer Stephen Thrower on The Red Queen Kills Seven Times
Archival introduction by production/costume designer Lorenzo Baraldi
Dead à Porter archival interview with Lorenzo Baraldi
Rounding Up the Usual Suspects archival interview with actor Marino Masé
If I Met Emilio Miraglia Today archival featurette with Erika Blanc, Lorenzo Baraldi and Marino Masé
My Favourite... Films archival interview with actress Barbara Bouchet
Alternative opening
Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx
What more do you need. If you already own these it's well worth picking this set up. If you have never seen them now is your chance.
Overall 5 out of 5 stars
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