Blu-rays We Want to See - Lucio Fulci Edition (NSFW)
Posted by Stephen Lambrechts (follow me @Slambrechts)
While more and more obscure titles are released on Blu-ray every week, there are still plenty of great (sometimes classic) films that are still not available on this wonderful high-definition format. What gives? If you're like me, a HD snob, you probably have plenty of visually arresting movies that you want to revisit, but refuse to watch in standard definition (yes, yes... first world problems, I know).
Today, I thought we'd bring you a special edition of the 'Blu-rays We Want to See' column focusing on the films of Lucio Fulci. While many of Fulci's classics are indeed available on blu-ray (House By the Cemetary, Zombi 2, The Beyond, The New York Ripper and City of the Living Dead - all available from either Arrow Films or Blue Underground), the vast majority of the late director's oeuvre isn't available in high definition. Here are the films I most want to see get the remastering treatment:
A LIZARD IN A WOMAN'S SKIN (1971)
One of Fulci's most erotic films, A Lizard in a Woman's Skin plays like an extremely trippy LSD hallicination (or the craziest, wettest fever dream ever). Florinda Bolkan plays a woman who keeps dreaming of herself partaking in bisexual orgies with the nympho lady that lives in an apartment under hers. Eventually, the dreams get murderous. When her neighbour does actually turn up dead, Florinda can't tell if she was dreaming, or if she did actually kill her. A Lizard in a Woman's Skin is a fantastic psychosexual giallo with gorgeous, dreamy visuals that demands to be seen in vibrant high def. The bravura opening scene alone makes this a necessity.
A note to any potential distributors out there - If you're going to remaster this film, make sure it's the original Italian version. The American 'Schizoid' version can go to freakin' hell.
DON'T TORTURE A DUCKLING (1972)
Considered by many to be Fulci's giallo masterpiece, Don't Torture a Duckling is a harrowing whodunnit about a series of child murders in a rural town in Southern Italy. Having the victims be young boys really sets this film apart from pretty much every other giallo of the time, adding an especially dark and sinister atmosphere to the proceedings. Add to that the implied sexual advances that Barbara Bouchet (pictured above) displays towards the adolescents, and you have a seriously creepy movie. Oh, and Florinda Balkan returns as a Gypsy witch!
The New York Ripper aside, there's an incredible underrepresentation of Lucio Fulci giallo films on blu-ray. We'd like to see that change, and what better place to start than to bring one of his most classic films out in 1080p resolution?
MURDER ROCK (1984)
Murder Rock has the distinction of being the very first Lucio Fulci film I ever saw (thanks Video Ezy weekly section! And thanks Video Ezy staff for not checking the film's ratings advice!). This Flashdance-inspired giallo sees a series of murders occur at a prestigious New York Dance School. Some whack-job is chloroforming young dancers and piercing their hearts with a long hairpin while they lay helpless.
This is once again another stylish and sexed-up Fulci film that also features numerous choreographed dance numbers by babes in '80s-style leotards and leg warmers. Not quite as violent as his other films, but he sure makes up for it when it comes to gratuitous nudity. Obviously, a high def presentation of this movie is a no-brainer.
BEATRICE CENCI (A.K.A. PERVERSION STORY) (1969)
One of the films that Fulci considered most important in his body of work, Beatrice Cenci tells a true story from Rome's history about a 16th century noblewoman who was imprisoned, tortured and sexually abused by her asshole father, Francesco. Beatrice decides to end the torment and plots to murder her father with help from her lover, her step mother and the family's servant. The story would cause a huge uproar in Italy, leading all the way to the Catholic church; an institution Fulci had much disdain for.
Fulci was proud of his work here, which is why the film deserves a blu-ray special edition with special features that really delve into the film's importance and the history it is based on.
MASSACRE TIME (1966)
Many genre fans are familiar with Lucio Fulci as a horror director, but have they looked into his spaghetti western work? If not, your first stop should be Massacre Time. This Franco Nero-starring western (made in the same year as Nero's classic Django) is quite brutal and violent for its time - a trait typical of a Fulci film. Nero takes on a scumbag gangster and his evil, psychopath son to reclaim his hometown and you can bet that things aren't settled with a handshake. This is a gorgeous widescreen western that deserves to be rediscovered in high definition glory! Someone make it happen!
THE NEW GLADIATORS (1984)
Okay, The New Gladiators (or I guerrieri dell'anno 2072) isn't one of the best Fulci films, but it's still pretty fun! Set in a futuristic Rome, the Colosseum has been re-opened and new age gladiators (who are actually convicted murderers) must fight to the death on live television. The latest potential champion has been framed and must fight to stay alive. Sound familiar? The film pre-dates film version of The Running Man starring Arnie, but came out a couple of years after the novel by Stephen King (written under the psuedonym of Richard Bachman). Still, the Colosseum angle is a nice addition, as is the way that horses and chariots has been replaced by motorcycles!
The last DVD release of the film was a cheapo one by Troma, so it's unlikely we'll get a good HD version any time soon. Still, doesn't hurt to dream!
CONQUEST (1983)
One of Fulci's fantasy films (a genre he loved very much) is Conquest. In it, a hero with a laser bow and arrow teams up with an outlaw to take down an evil villainess named Ocron (Sabrina Siani, naked for the entire film). Somewhat surprising is the strong friendship that builds between the two men, which managed to be quite emotional as the film heads into the final stretch.
Narratively, Conquest isn't the strongest of Fulci's films, however in terms of visuals and atmosphere, it's up there with his best. Add to that an awesome '80s electronic score, and this really is a film that would benefit from a HD transfer and remastered sound. Track this one down if you haven't seen it!
What do you think? Any other Lucio Fulci films you'd like to see in HD? Let us know in the comments below!
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