Best Dario Argento Blu-rays on the market

[TXTyler]

Hello, horror fans! Please excuse my greenness as this is my first post.

As a big fan of Dario Argento, I am trying to cull all important information about the director's films on BR. Due to the diligent work of Blue Underground, Arrow Vídeo, Synapse, Code Red, Scorpion and other boutique labels, we have a great source of editions from which to pick. I'd love to start a (civil) dialogue about this maestro's work and its representation in HD. Of course we all have our own opinions, but I'd like to compile a list of the best worldwide editions of Argento's films. So I'm adding a list of his films (as well as a few he has produced but are directed by others) hoping that we can come to some concerns us on where to turn for the ultimate Argento collection. I look forward to hearing your comments.

Ty

The Bird with the Crystal Plumage
-Blue Underground (aspect ratio, audio options, image quality)

The Cat o' Nine Tails
-DRAW: Blue Underground/Arrow (depending on your taste in extras and your location)

Four Flies on Grey Velvet
-Koch (image and sound, plus a cool cover design)

Five Days of Milan
-NA and none in sight

Deep Red
-Arrow (OOP but with superior image, extras and soundtrack CD)

Suspiria
-TBA (Possibly the pending Synapse release due to their history of excellent editions)

Dawn of the Dead
-Arrow (although the Argento cut is only included on DVD)

Inferno
-DRAW: Blue Underground/Arrow (BU for image, Arrow for sound and extras)

Tenebrae
-Not even going to comment because it seems everyone has their own hyper-critical reasons why the Synapse or Arrow edition is better. I own the Arrow edition and am very happy with it.

Phenomena
-Synapse (We'll see how the upcoming Arrow release stacks up. The Synapse has 3 cuts, as will Arrow, but also includes the soundtrack on CD)

Demons
-Synapse limited steelbook (image quality, audio options, extras)

Demons 2
-Synapse limited steelbook (image quality, extras ALTHOUGH if you're a commentary freak like me, it's good to have the old Anchor Bay DVD still on hand)

Opera
-Upcoming Scorpion (due to their track record and the specs we already know)

The Church
-Upcoming Scorpion (same reason)

Two Evil Eyes
-Upcoming Scorpion (same reason although the Blue Underground release is respectable)

The Sect
-Uocoming Scorpion (same reason)

Trauma
-There are some editions from Germany and Austria that I don't know at all. Not entirely convinced if they're 100% English-friendly. Waiting on Scorpion or Synapse to pick this one up.

Stendhal Syndrome
-Blue Underground, but I'm hoping for a more complete edition

Phantom of the Opera
-German edition (only available edition on BR. Waiting on a better edition)

Sleepless
-Upcoming Scorpion (see above)

Card Player
-Upcoming Scorpion (see above)

Do You Like Hitchcock?
-NONE

Pelts/Jenifer
-Stars/Anchor Bay (Spain has released both separately AND have included all of the extras from the previous DVD releases which are cut on the BR. The quality is said to be exactly the same as the US edition, but sadly these are pressed on BD-R discs)

Mother of Tears
-German or Austrian releases (quite bare bones, but the best of the choices we have)

Giallo
-Take your pick. None seem to be astoundingly good or bad.

Dracula 3D
-MPI US (I think all editions are about the same. The Us release has both 2D and 3D versions, and the making-of has English subtitles)

[SymbioticFunction]

Nice work but I'll add a few thoughts. Pelts was available uncut from Germany from a label called Splendid Film, the blu-ray is pretty good but now OOP. The Austrian Edition Tonfilm release of Trauma isn't English friendly (forced German subs) but the Spanish version is (but without English subtitles for the short Italian scenes). The Spanish version appears to be a bootleg but is an actual pressed disc, is very cheap and is indiscernible from an official release. And Germany has a very good Inferno bd by Koch Media which has the same colour scheme as Arrow but with much better image quality and extra picture information at the sides of the frame.

[Energy Crisis]

Originally Posted by SymbioticFunction

And Germany has a very good Inferno bd by Koch Media which has the same colour scheme as Arrow but with much better image quality and extra picture information at the sides of the frame.

This is my favorite version of Inferno. The media book packaging is very nice too.

[SymbioticFunction]

Am I right in thinking that the US bd of Dracula has different title credits? Red lettering on a black background I think, whereas the Italian bd (and presumably the other European releases) has a 2D/3D cgi animated town sequence which accompanies the film credits.

[Energy Crisis]

You're correct. The CGI town is mostly intact on the US release, but the main title itself is replaced.

[Rockercub]

Originally Posted by SymbioticFunction

Nice work but I'll add a few thoughts. Pelts was available uncut from Germany from a label called Splendid Film, the blu-ray is pretty good but now OOP. The Austrian Edition Tonfilm release of Trauma isn't English friendly (forced German subs) but the Spanish version is (but without English subtitles for the short Italian scenes). The Spanish version appears to be a bootleg but is an actual pressed disc, is very cheap and is indiscernible from an official release. And Germany has a very good Inferno bd by Koch Media which has the same colour scheme as Arrow but with much better image quality and extra picture information at the sides of the frame.

I was looking for a German title a few days ago and saw a couple of Splendid's Pelts still available on the more obscure online stores. For Inferno, I prefer the BU to the Koch, as it's a little darker. I think the Koch/Arrow is a touch too bright, but that's purely based on personal taste. I have no idea which is correct.

Originally Posted by SymbioticFunction

Am I right in thinking that the US bd of Dracula has different title credits? Red lettering on a black background I think, whereas the Italian bd (and presumably the other European releases) has a 2D/3D cgi animated town sequence which accompanies the film credits.

Wasn't there an issue with the right and left images getting mixed up?

So I would probably add in all the Edition Tonfilm releases, just because we don't know how long until Scorpion gets everything out. Trauma is problematic, not just for the forced German subs, but for having Italian scenes with no English subs. But Sleepless and Card Player are fine. I'd also add in the Koch Opera release because it's possible there will be some disagreement over the correct presentation once the Code Red release comes out. Or maybe not, but judging by the Suspiria threads right now, it wouldn't surprise me. I have the Japanese disc, but am thinking about picking up the reportedly superior Koch disc just to have the best version of that transfer/color scheme.

[Vulture Lives]

If we're talking strictly about the Argento cut of Dawn of the Dead, wouldn't this be the best available version? https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Zombi...lu-ray/159640/

[barrett75]

talking about PQ, I'd say:

- bird: draw BU/koch media - koch better encoding but higher gamma: http://caps-a-holic.com/c.php?go=1&a...66225&i=11&l=0

- cat: no way arrow could be compared to BU, BU much better encoded: http://caps-a-holic.com/c.php?go=1&a...=55505&i=3&l=0
both used the same terrible master though.

- flies: new best is now CG from italy: http://caps-a-holic.com/c.php?go=1&a...96981&i=11&l=0 better grain and gamma.

- suspiria: synapse still hasn't hit the market, so new italian BD is way better than anything else: http://caps-a-holic.com/c.php?go=1&a...46535&i=15&l=0

- inferno: arrow is the weakest, the real fight is between koch and BU. i prefer koch but it's a matter of taste: http://caps-a-holic.com/c.php?go=1&a...=67880&i=2&l=0

- tenebre: i don't like arrow nor synapse, same old master. i don't like boosted grading and contrast on synapse but i appreciate the job for re-instating the digital clean-up issues on arrow.

- phenomena: at the moment synapse is the best version available but new arrow on may will blow it out of the water. the new master is stunning (see caps here on forum).

- opera: code red/le chat qui fume will be the best version but at the moment koch versionis the go: http://caps-a-holic.com/c.php?go=1&a...=66894&i=0&l=0

- the sect and the church are not directed by dario. anyway for the church go to shameless http://caps-a-holic.com/c.php?go=1&a...=92812&i=7&l=0, for the sect go to koch media: http://caps-a-holic.com/c.php?go=1&a...=93622&i=0&l=0

[StephenFS]

Thanks for a very useful list.

Personally I don't worry too much about getting the very best pq, but (because I'm deaf) I only buy if the disc has English subtitles all the way through. So the Koch Opera is out for me, for example.

[painiac]

i wish i had been aware enough to pick up the Bird with the Crystal Plumage blu-ray when it came out. i'm also very close to importing the Italian release of Four Flies.

[TXTyler]

How does the Italian Four Flies Blu stack up to the German edition? They are both from Koch. I like the German cover art more even though the title is in German. The Shameless release is English-friendly, but I've heard the PQ doesn't even come close to the Koch transfer.

I also had no idea about that Italian Dawn of the Dead/Zombie Blu. Should be interesting to check out. I wish it had English subs for the Italian dub, but I suppose that because the movie is originally in English, I wouldn't watch the dubbed version anyway. Does anyone own this set?

Tyler

[Mpmarks1975]

Both the Italian and German are pretty close. The Italian has forced subs though, so i'd give the edge to the German.

[SymbioticFunction]

Originally Posted by Rockercub

I'd also add in the Koch Opera release because it's possible there will be some disagreement over the correct presentation once the Code Red release comes out. Or maybe not, but judging by the Suspiria threads right now, it wouldn't surprise me. I have the Japanese disc, but am thinking about picking up the reportedly superior Koch disc just to have the best version of that transfer/color scheme.

It's not worth upgrading from the Japanese to the German imo (not with a new bd arriving in your home country) as the English sound on the Koch also has serious issues on the longer/superior cut (around 4 mins in, background hiss can be heard) and whilst it definitely is improved, the PQ difference is not quite as pronounced as I would like. So I would just keep the Japanese release for a copy of that color scheme.

[SymbioticFunction]

btw I think The Five Days of Milan should be added to the list as that under-rated film is actually directed by Argento and a blu-ray release is likely to eventually happen.

[DJR662]

Originally Posted by TXTyler

How does the Italian Four Flies Blu stack up to the German edition? They are both from Koch. I like the German cover art more even though the title is in German. The Shameless release is English-friendly, but I've heard the PQ doesn't even come close to the Koch transfer.

I also would like to know this. I currently own the Shameless release. I wonder if Arrow (or anyone else) might get a hold of the rights and release the "definitive" version?

[SymbioticFunction]

Originally Posted by DJR662

I also would like to know this. I currently own the Shameless release. I wonder if Arrow (or anyone else) might get a hold of the rights and release the "definitive" version?

https://www.caps-a-holic.com/c_list.php?c=4002

I think that the German and Italian releases supercede the UK version in terms of flesh tone and colour. And the UK has that unfortunate sound spikes issue towards the end of the film which threatens to damage speakers. What with the latest Italian release having forced Italian subtitles during the English track, I think it's safe to still declare the Koch version as the winner (for English speaking viewers anyway).

[rillog]

Ther Koch disc is the only disc to have the scenes missing in the negative of Four Flies scanned from an actual theatrical print. The others only offer these scenes in VHS quality. The comparison above is misleading because it does not compare pictures from the reinserted scenes.

[RossD]

I hope whoever gets Trauma releases it with the extra scenes in the European cut IN ENGLISH. English audio at least exists for these in the workprint. And maybe elsewhere. Trauma was filmed with on-set sound in English.

[barrett75]

Originally Posted by rillog

Ther Koch disc is the only disc to have the scenes missing in the negative of Four Flies scanned from an actual theatrical print. The others only offer these scenes in VHS quality. The comparison above is misleading because it does not compare pictures from the reinserted scenes.

wrong. both koch and CG (ITA) have the same PQ for the reinserted scenes. apart from caps, i can say it because i own both discs. the real difference is that on italian BD this scenes are much shorter than AT/DE disc. i mean, the scenes are complete on italian disc but the SD parts are much shorter. and yes, forced subs on english track unfortunately.

http://caps-a-holic.com/c.php?go=1&a...=96973&i=3&l=0

[SymbioticFunction]

Originally Posted by barrett75

wrong. both koch and CG (ITA) have the same PQ for the reinserted scenes. apart from caps, i can say it because i own both discs. the real difference is that on italian BD this scenes are much shorter than AT/DE disc. i mean, the scenes are complete on italian disc but the SD parts are much shorter.

The Koch Media version made an odd decision not to change source during a camera shot. Ideally I would have preferred them to change from damaged to good quality footage as soon as possible, even mid-shot. It sounds like that is what the Italian release has done.