The Cat o' Nine Tails (1971) (Remastered) (Limited Edition)

[MifuneFan]

Following the success of his debut feature, The Bird with the Crystal Plumage, distributor Titanus tasked writer/director Dario Argento with delivering a follow-up in short order. The resulting film, granted a greatly enhanced budget and heralded in its US marketing campaign as “nine times more suspenseful” than its predecessor, was The Cat O’ Nine Tails.

When a break-in occurs at a secretive genetics institute, blind puzzle-maker Franco Arnò (Karl Malden, Patton, One-Eyed Jacks), who overheard an attempt to blackmail one of the institute’s scientists shortly before the robbery, teams up with intrepid reporter Carlo Giordani (James Franciscus, Beneath the Planet of the Apes) to crack the case. But before long the bodies begin to pile up and the two amateur sleuths find their own lives imperilled in their search for the truth. And worse still, Lori (Cinzia De Carolis, Cannibal Apocalypse), Franco’s young niece, may also be in the killer’s sights…

This second entry in the so-called “Animal Trilogy” found Argento further refining his distinctive style and cementing his reputation as the master of the giallo thriller. Co-starring Catherine Spaak (Il Sorpasso) and Rada Rassimov (Baron Blood), and featuring another nerve-jangling score by the great Ennio Morricone (The Bird with the Crystal Plumage, The Good, The Bad and the Ugly), The Cat O’ Nine Tails remains one of Argento’s most suspenseful and underrated films.

Pre-order at Diabolik

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

[horroru]

I'm in for this!
I'm region free but glad to see it being offered as a US set (as well as UK) so I don't have to worry about importing.
Has anyone seen what the numbers will be on this limited set, just curious.

[Jr7936]

usually though, it's cheaper to order the arrow releases from the UK then the US

Originally Posted by horroru

I'm in for this!
I'm region free but glad to see it being offered as a US set (as well as UK) so I don't have to worry about importing.

[MifuneFan]

Here's the link to order it from Arrow UK: https://www.arrowfilms.co.uk/shop/in...roduct_id=1059

It comes to $37.36 USD shipped, so just a little cheaper than what you'd get it for at Diabolik with shipping.

[cakefactory]

Judging from recent complaints in the Arrow UK thread, their shipping to the US has gotten incredibly slow in the last couple months. So, that's something to take into account if you're trying to nickel and dime on the price. Amazon UK and obviously Diabolik will get it to you A LOT faster if the Arrow shop thing holds true.

[Hedji]

Never seen this one, but will be glad to add it to my Argento collection!

So, is it "Nine Times More Suspenseful" than Bird with the Crystal Plumage?

[themp3000]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Here's the link to order it from Arrow UK: https://www.arrowfilms.co.uk/shop/in...roduct_id=1059

It comes to $37.36 USD shipped, so just a little cheaper than what you'd get it for at Diabolik with shipping.

I go with Diabolik every time with these LEs. The cost difference with importing is pretty neglible. My personal preference is I don't want ratings logos tarnishing the artwork on these nice LEs so I opt to pay a little extra for that and to not wait 9-14 days. And to know I've secured my copy and it'll be shipped nicely.

[MifuneFan]

I wish I got the Crystal Plumage LE, as this matches it so well. I'm surprised they haven't released a regular edition of that yet, what are they waiting for?

[painiac]

really digging the art on this one, great looking box.

[themp3000]

Originally Posted by cakefactory

Judging from recent complaints in the Arrow UK thread, their shipping to the US has gotten incredibly slow in the last couple months. So, that's something to take into account if you're trying to nickel and dime on the price. Amazon UK and obviously Diabolik will get it to you A LOT faster if the Arrow shop thing holds true.

I got my copy of The Thing in 9 days, that's pretty good to me. Box was secure. Amazon UK uses iParcel for me and that's usually 10-11 days but the boxes 9 times out of 10 look mangled to heck (thankfully no problems so far).

[Bolo Seagull]

I already have this in Blue Underground's Argento Collection set. The movie doesn't do big things for me. It has a couple of Argento's trademark stylistic flourishes, but it goes flat pretty often.

[dwk]

Originally Posted by Hedji

Never seen this one, but will be glad to add it to my Argento collection!

So, is it "Nine Times More Suspenseful" than Bird with the Crystal Plumage?

No. It is probably Argento's worst film of his golden period*. Better than stuff like Dracula 3D and Sleepless, but not nearly as good as Bird, Deep Red, Tenebrae, etc.

(*I've never seen Le cinque giornate, so that may be worse than Cat)

[cakefactory]

Originally Posted by Hedji

So, is it "Nine Times More Suspenseful" than Bird with the Crystal Plumage?

Hell no. I personally was bored to tears by it and am not even sure if I want to buy this despite loving many of his classics (and considering Bird with the Crystal Plumage one of my very favorites of his), but I know it has a ton of fans.

It probably isn't helped that I already couldn't stand James Franciscus from Valley of Gwangi/Beneath the Planet of the Apes.

[dressedtokill]

Decisions, decisions, decisions... I honestly don't know how I feel about this or what I should do. I don't want to miss out on the limited edition, but at the same time I'm not a big fan of the movie. I haven't seen it in a long time but I remember thinking it was a minor effort from Argento and the weak link in the Animal trilogy. In my opinion it was basically the definition of sophomore slump, even Argento has called it one of his weaker efforts.

[Member-222782]

I was planning on ordering direct from Arrow but if they're having issues then I'll go with Diabolik. My primary concerns are how quickly I can get a copy in-hand and purchasing from a dealer who won't string me along. Judging by most comments here that pretty much describes Diabolik.

[sb5]

Looks like an awesome set. Not a big enough fan to upgrade over BU’s Dario Argento Collection (like others have said, for me it’s probably one of the weaker of Argento’s golden age), but great it’s getting a 4K restoration for fans.

[WesReviews]

Awesome news. This was always my favorite of the early three Argentos.

[Post Prod]

I've had great luck with both Diabolik and Arrow, but things seem to get to me quicker via Arrow, compared to even AmazonUk. I have had nothing but frustration and disappointment from Zavi though.

[DJR662]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

I wish I got the Crystal Plumage LE, as this matches it so well. I'm surprised they haven't released a regular edition of that yet, what are they waiting for?

When I saw this that was my exact same reaction!

I'm seriously thinking about getting the LE of Bird on eBay now just to match it with the Cat release. Already was getting a bit impatient waiting for that regular Bird release, can't imagine having to wait even longer for a possible regular release for Cat. Hold on, do I need that LE release of Arrow's Phenomena too then?

But this is great news as I happen to like this movie alot. We have Synapse's Suspiria on the way as well as Code Red's Opera and now Cat o'Nine Tails by Arrow. Only thing I'd like is a new Four Flies release and then I'm all set regarding Argento Blu-rays. Until they start releasing them all again on UHD that is...

[AKORIS]

Originally Posted by dwk

No. It is probably Argento's worst film of his golden period*. Better than stuff like Dracula 3D and Sleepless, but not nearly as good as Bird, Deep Red, Tenebrae, etc.

(*I've never seen Le cinque giornate, so that may be worse than Cat)

Originally Posted by cakefactory

Hell no. I personally was bored to tears by it and am not even sure if I want to buy this despite loving many of his classics (and considering Bird with the Crystal Plumage one of my very favorites of his), but I know it has a ton of fans.

It probably isn't helped that I already couldn't stand James Franciscus from Valley of Gwangi/Beneath the Planet of the Apes.

yeah, not a top tier title for sure... my current Blue Underground copy will be more than good enough for this one....