Mario Bava's Black Sunday

[Kriztoffer Swank]

The AIP cut is native 1080p on Arrow's disc. Don't know what gave you a different impression?

[charlieray1]

OK, I'm officially confused!

A number of these posts are comparing the Kino and Arrow releases . . . but Kino's version isn't out yet right? Is this just off reviews? Does anyone all ready have the Kino version?

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Kriztoffer Swank

Kino's Black Sabbath is probably an all right presentation, but given how badly it mucked up the colors, I simply had to get the Arrow release, one of the first Region B-locked titles I bought. This is one of my favorite films, so I absolutely had to have that colorful lighting done right, and the AIP cut was a nice bonus.

There are some comparison screenshots on this site's reviews. The Kino release just looks drab by comparison.

Kino
Arrow

While I was researching these titles, I seem to remember reading something about how Kino and Arrow both received the same source material for Black Sabbath, but that Arrow digitally touched up their transfer while Kino released their transfer as is. If I'm wrong here, then feel free to step in and correct me.

I know absolutely nothing about the color tints and such that were originally intended for the movie, but I've got no problem with owning the Kino version if they left the source material untouched, as they usually do. (Not that I've got a choice anyway, since I'm Region A, but you know what I mean.)

Originally Posted by charlieray1

OK, I'm officially confused!

A number of these posts are comparing the Kino and Arrow releases . . . but Kino's version isn't out yet right? Is this just off reviews? Does anyone all ready have the Kino version?

Kino has already released the original Italian versions of Black Sunday and Black Sabbath on Blu-ray, because they had the rights to those versions at the time. Kino is about to release another Blu-ray package with the American versions of both films in one set, though. I've heard good things about the American version of Black Sabbath, but, since I've never seen the film before, I'd like to see the Italian version first, because that was Bava's original intention.

[zbinks]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Kino has already released the original Italian versions of Black Sunday and Black Sabbath on Blu-ray, because they had the rights to those versions at the time. Kino is about to release another Blu-ray package with the American versions of both films in one set, though. I've heard good things about the American version of Black Sabbath, but, since I've never seen the film before, I'd like to see the Italian version first, because that was Bava's original intention.

International Cut:




US Cut:

[bigshot]

The DVD version of Black Sabbath in the Bava Box had good color. The Kino version looked like it was from an old faded print. I've ordered the dual version from the UK. Hoping it looks more like the DVD.

The US and Italian versions on both these films each have their own strengths and weaknesses. With Black Sunday, the voices on the Italian version have better acting, but the music and sound effects on the US version is much better. With Black Sabbath, the Italian cut is much better for the order of the three stories and the telephone segment isn't censored. But Karloff is dubbed into Italian, which he isn't in the US version. With these films, you really need both. I've always thought that Black Sabbath would be better if the story segments were the Italian version with the Karloff segments inserted in English.

[NoirFan]

I wasn't sure where to post this, as I couldn't find a general 'Bava on BD' thread (is there one?) but those who have been debating shelling out 260 clams for Tim Lucas' epic Bava overview All the Colors of the Dark, there are less than 100 remaining. I've been eyeing (why is this word flagged as misspelled? 'Eying' doesn't look right at all) the massive book for several years, but had always been put off by the price. When you consider the work involved and the accompanying results though - all 12 pounds of them - the tag isn't that unreasonable. However, I'm sure it'll be selling for $400 or so once the printed copies run out (digital downloads are still available), so I took the plunge yesterday.

[Dr. Namaroff]

I would like to pick up Black Sunday Blu,

I don't have a Region free player so what one would anybody recommend?

The U.S cut or the international cut?

[HuggyBear73]

Black Sunday needs a 4K remastered edition.

[captainron_howdy]

Originally Posted by Dr. Namaroff

I would like to pick up Black Sunday Blu,

I don't have a Region free player so what one would anybody recommend?

The U.S cut or the international cut?

I'd recommend the International cut to start, & if you become a huge Bava nerd like me, you'll eventually get the AIP too.

[Todd Tomorrow]

Originally Posted by HuggyBear73

Black Sunday needs a 4K remastered edition.

What’s the problem with the current release ? It still looks pretty good to me.

[Brian81]

Black Sabbath needs it more. Framing is off on Arrow, and the colors are bad on the Kino (which has better framing).

[HuggyBear73]

Originally Posted by Todd Tomorrow

What’s the problem with the current release ? It still looks pretty good to me.

It could be A LOT better. At least a 2K scan would be nice.

[HuggyBear73]

Originally Posted by Brian81

Black Sabbath needs it more. Framing is off on Arrow, and the colors are bad on the Kino (which has better framing).

You're correct. I'd welcome a correct framing 2K or 4K remastered edition from Arrow of BLACK SABBATH as well.

[Nitroes]

4K Blu-ray https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?p=21768552

[Jobla]

I just viewed the Italian Blu-ray of the 2023 Alfredo Leone restoration of BLACK SUNDAY (1960). I don't have 4K UHD hardware, so I purchased the separate Blu-ray release.
,
The disc has both English and Italian audio tracks, but only removeable Italian subtitles. No English subtitles. It is region B locked.

To my eyes, the new restoration is superior to the older Arrow Films Blu-ray. The Arrow Blu-ray had the AIP version (BLACK SUNDAY) and the international export version (THE MASK OF SATAN). This new Italian Blu-ray has the original Italian cut of the film (LA MASCHERA DEL DEMONIO).

The only supplements on the disc are an Italian theatrical trailer and a never-used scene that was intended for the Italian release but discarded.

I'm very happy to have this disc, but I'd still like to see it released in the US or the UK, hopefully with English subtitles added and a few more extras as well.

[sa5150]

Originally Posted by Jobla

I just viewed the Italian Blu-ray of the 2023 Alfredo Leone restoration of BLACK SUNDAY (1960). I don't have 4K UHD hardware, so I purchased the separate Blu-ray release.
,
The disc has both English and Italian audio tracks, but only removeable Italian subtitles. No English subtitles. It is region B locked.

To my eyes, the new restoration is superior to the older Arrow Films Blu-ray. The Arrow Blu-ray had the AIP version (BLACK SUNDAY) and the international export version (THE MASK OF SATAN). This new Italian Blu-ray has the original Italian cut of the film (LA MASCHERA DEL DEMONIO).

The only supplements on the disc are an Italian theatrical trailer and a never-used scene that was intended for the Italian release but discarded.

I'm very happy to have this disc, but I'd still like to see it released in the US or the UK, hopefully with English subtitles added and a few more extras as well.

Is this confirmation that the Italian uncut has English audio on the 4K disc ? This has been a confusing release .

[Jobla]

Originally Posted by sa5150

Is this confirmation that he Italian uncut has English audio on the 4K disc ? This has been a confusing release .

I don't actually know, since I don't have the UDH format. Since the English audio is on the Blu-ray, I would expect it to be on the 4K disc as well.

[bigshot]

I wish they would make a hybrid version of this movie... English for the Karloff wraparounds and original Italian and Italian cut for the segments.

[MegatronX]

Originally Posted by bigshot

I wish they would make a hybrid version of this movie... English for the Karloff wraparounds and original Italian and Italian cut for the segments.

That's BLACK SABBATH you're thinking of.

[Jobla]

I keep hoping that LA MASCHERA DEL DEMONIO will be released in the US and/or the UK, with added English subtitles. Arrow Films? Severin? Vinegar Syndrome? Criterion? Surely some label is interested in this title.