The Five Days 4K UHD (1973) coming from Severin

[Brian81]

Some parts of this one were a chore and I am not a fan of the Italian humor of this period, but overall this film is fairly good and it gets better as it goes. I think this is more a completist film than anything else. I don't see myself playing this one often, but will when doing an Argento marathon. Pretty much a political period piece with absurd humor sprinkled in, to mock the hypocrisies of people. There is a fair amount of violence, some graphic, but it's presented more like violence in a 70s Fulci (more realistic) than the stylised Argento type.

[russweiss1]

10Kbullets review:

https://10kbullets.blogspot.com/sear...&max-results=7

[bradnoyes]

Watched this last night. I enjoyed it but I don't think it's something I need to keep in the collection. I thought the transfer was pretty good. I don't want to get into it too deeply having never seen the film before. I've seen worse from Severin.

[dallywhitty]

Originally Posted by bradnoyes

Watched this last night. I enjoyed it but I don't think it's something I need to keep in the collection.

Thanks again for agreeing to send it to my address totally free of charge!

[bradnoyes]

Originally Posted by dallywhitty

Thanks again for agreeing to send it to my address totally free of charge!

I just tied it to a balloon and blew it a kiss in your direction.

[schwano]

Finally had the time to give this a watch. Other than being tonally inconsistent, it’s a rather fine movie, one that is distinctly Argento even if the genre is not. From the camera work, to the editing, to some even grotesque moments, this is through and through every bit his style. It doesn’t always jive, particularly with the moments of slapstick that are designed like a silent movie, but it’s always fascinating to watch.

Tonal shifts are sudden, with some unsettling moments amidst comedy that ranges from ridiculous to quite dark. It’s an uneven picture, one that certainly won’t be regarded in the top-tier of his other 70s and 80s work, but it’s a very interesting curiosity piece if nothing else. Those familiar with his work will find the most the enjoy, others may just be baffled by the whole thing.

As far the the PQ, for a movie that had all but been lost before this release, it looks extraordinary. Other than a few minor instances of film damage, this is a very pleasing transfer.

[nicwood]

I agree, this looks really good pretty much exactly like Four Flies on Grey Velvet in terms of encoding, transfer, DV use etc. It’s sad to see that there is barely any interest in this release, which is a shame but I somewhat understand it since it’s a minor Argento in terms of public representation. (Severin’s new Umberto Lenzi set gets somewhat similarly little exposure).

The big draw besides the transfer is another very long interview with Argento and some of his collaborators. I’ve enjoyed these tremendously after seeing Four Flies on Grey Velvet.

I hope Severin sells at least some copies, which would be deserving of what looks like good effort having gone into this release. (Also, the slip cover looks very nice with an embossed : spot-gloss title).

[grahams76]

This is on sale for $12.49 right now in Severin’s Black Friday sale. Ordered.

[LanceL]

Not sure whether to get this or not. It's cheap. But will I like it...?

[dallywhitty]

Originally Posted by grahams76

This is on sale for $12.49 right now in Severin’s Black Friday sale. Ordered.

Nice! Bargain. Just added it to my existing order.

[brainofj72]

Crazy price. I picked this up mostly out of curiosity since I like Argento and wound up loving it. Very good movie and a no brainer at this price.

[PRO-630HD]

I received this after the BF sale. I received 2 4K UHD discs with no bluray with the special features. Anyone else have this issue?

[dallywhitty]

I watched this at one in the morning, aided by a cup of coffee. I really liked it. Can't say I had any knowledge of this period in Italy's history prior to watching the film, but while a contextual text crawl might've been appreciated, it's not difficult to glean what's going on once you get into the groove of it. The main duo are fun and kept me engaged as they traverse from one bizarre set-up to the next. While it's essentially a buddy comedy, it does take a darker turn towards the end and I found it quite moving. Was Argento inspired by Clockwork when he made this? Multiple instances of sped-up footage set to electronic versions of classical music!

Can't help but think this would be more appreciated if it was released by any other Italian filmmaker. As it is, it's a strange anomaly sandwiched between Four Flies and Deep Red. I love Argento's gialli stuff, obviously, but I also wouldn't mind peeping into an alternate timeline where Argento experimented more with different genres and wasn't alienated by the perceived failure of Five Days.

[Brian81]

I’m glad that Severin released this. I don’t think anyone had the guts to release this outside of Italy. They need to release some of those mid/late Fulcis like La Pretora, Dracula in the Provinces, White Fang…. titles I have yet to see. Maybe even a higher quality Silver Saddle.

[dickdarlington]

Originally Posted by Brian81

I’m glad that Severin released this. I don’t think anyone had the guts to release this outside of Italy. They need to release some of those mid/late Fulcis like La Pretora, Dracula in the Provinces, White Fang…. titles I have yet to see. Maybe even a higher quality Silver Saddle.

Two words: Dario Argento.

If this film was done by anyone else, would’ve been given a Blu-ray release at best. Possibly thrown into a set with other titles.

It’s not the worst thing Argento has directed, but, it’s close.

[Brian81]

Originally Posted by dickdarlington

Two words: Dario Argento.

If this film was done by anyone else, would’ve been given a Blu-ray release at best. Possibly thrown into a set with other titles.

It’s not the worst thing Argento has directed, but, it’s close.

Honestly, I enjoyed it more than most of what he has done since the mid-90s. He fell off hard after Two Evil Eyes IMO. Even the good ones after like Stendhal aren’t even in the same league as Phenomena or Cat O Nine Tails, two of the lesser films of his prime. The other films feel more in line with the quality of Lamberto Bava.

[dallywhitty]

Stendhal Syndrome rocks IMO. I'd snap up a UHD of that day one

[DR Herbert West]

I'd take Stendhal, Trauma and Mother of Tears in 4K.

[brainofj72]

Honestly this is probably top 5 Argento for me.

EDIT: Just looked at his filmography and it's top 3, actually:

1. Suspiria
2. Phenomena
3. The Five Days
4. Inferno
5. Tenebre

[Kakihara]

Originally Posted by Brian81

Honestly, I enjoyed it more than most of what he has done since the mid-90s. He fell off hard after Two Evil Eyes IMO. Even the good ones after like Stendhal aren’t even in the same league as Phenomena or Cat O Nine Tails, two of the lesser films of his prime. The other films feel more in line with the quality of Lamberto Bava.

I think Lamberto Bava doesn't get the respect he deserves. I've been on a Lamberto kick lately and after seeing Severin's The Mask of Satan BD, I'm convinced his films are underappreciated.