Dressed to Kill (1980)

[davidthenikonuser]

Originally Posted by NKB2017

'Dressed To Kill'? Criterion?

Yes, Yes.

[zepol]

Originally Posted by captainron_howdy

Something went very wrong w the first pressing......https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Dress...lu-ray/129819/

So everything is ok now?

[BluPat]

I have the MGM Blu-ray and it looks wonderful but I've been wanting to get the Criterion too because I love this movie.

[captainron_howdy]

Originally Posted by zepol

So everything is ok now?

For the most part, Yes. The PQ is fine on the second pressing, but from what I remember, there's just a bit of a glitch in the music during the elevator scene when she's really getting sliced up. The score sort of loops itself into repeating a beat twice for a couple seconds instead of playing straight through like it should.

Otherwise it's a very solid release, but I have my other Blu-ray MGM still because of this. And I also had to keep my old MGM DVD because it's signed by Angie Dickinson.

[BobSimms]

Originally Posted by captainron_howdy

For the most part, Yes. The PQ is fine on the second pressing, but from what I remember, there's just a bit of a glitch in the music during the elevator scene when she's really getting sliced up. The score sort of loops itself into repeating a beat twice for a couple seconds instead of playing straight through like it should.

Is that glitch present on the Arrow blu ray as well? I didn’t notice it on either release when I watched them. I’ve been meaning to rewatch this (for the 75th time) soon.

[captainron_howdy]

Originally Posted by BobSimms

Is that glitch present on the Arrow blu ray as well? I didn’t notice it on either release when I watched them. I’ve been meaning to rewatch this (for the 75th time) soon.

I don't have the Arrow release, so hopefully someone else can answer that question.....But, I've been meaning to watch this again for like the 75th time, too Lol....I'll add the time stamp of when the music sounds funky to me when I do.

[BobSimms]

Originally Posted by captainron_howdy

I don't have the Arrow release, so hopefully someone else can answer that question.....But, I've been meaning to watch this again for like the 75th time, too Lol....I'll add the time stamp of when the music sounds funky to me when I do.

I’ll check them both out tonight. I really have seen this film so many times, I should be able to pick it out immediately. Don’t know how I missed it the last time I watched my Criterion disc. And speaking of the second pressing, I wish I had the first, just to be able to see a little more of the frame on the sides, even if it’s distorted (that’s how much a DTK fan/dork I am!)

[captainron_howdy]

Originally Posted by BobSimms

I’ll check them both out tonight. I really have seen this film so many times, I should be able to pick it out immediately. Don’t know how I missed it the last time I watched my Criterion disc. And speaking of the second pressing, I wish I had the first, just to be able to see a little more of the frame on the sides, even if it’s distorted (that’s how much a DTK fan/dork I am!)

Same, I wish I had both to A&B....Ok so, I actually just checked my Criterion disc to make sure I wasn't hearing things and 34:42-34:44 is exactly where the music sounds a little weird to me. There seems to be bass notes missing in one beat I think.

[BobSimms]

I checked my Arrow Blu ray, same situation. You can tell they repeat a section of the music because the bass note that should be there, isn’t. Now I wish I could remember if that also happened on the old “Uncensored International Version” Warner VHS and Beta (I had both). Or if it’s on the MGM unrated... wait, does the MGM disc (DVD or Blu ray) contain the unrated version?

I’m just wondering if they had to loop that 1-second part of the music to make it fit the scene, because the scene was a little longer in the unrated cut? But that would mean it would likely have appeared on the initial WB video cassettes, which I can’t remember. I owned basically every home video release of this over the years with the exception of some international ones.

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by BluPat

I have the MGM Blu-ray and it looks wonderful but I've been wanting to get the Criterion too because I love this movie.

Truth be told I like the warmer look on the MGM/Arrow disc better than the somewhat anemic blue-tinged Criterion transfer, even if it looks a little more tighter.

[BluPat]

Originally Posted by ravenus

Truth be told I like the warmer look on the MGM/Arrow disc better than the somewhat anemic blue-tinged Criterion transfer, even if it looks a little more tighter.

Yea that MGM Blu-ray is pretty excellent.

[captainron_howdy]

Originally Posted by BobSimms

I checked my Arrow Blu ray, same situation. You can tell they repeat a section of the music because the bass note that should be there, isn’t. Now I wish I could remember if that also happened on the old “Uncensored International Version” Warner VHS and Beta (I had both). Or if it’s on the MGM unrated... wait, does the MGM disc (DVD or Blu ray) contain the unrated version?

I’m just wondering if they had to loop that 1-second part of the music to make it fit the scene, because the scene was a little longer in the unrated cut? But that would mean it would likely have appeared on the initial WB video cassettes, which I can’t remember. I owned basically every home video release of this over the years with the exception of some international ones.

I checked my MGM Blu-ray last night right after the Criterion to make sure and the MGM Blu sounds correct in that scene. And yes, it's the Unrated version.

[BobSimms]

Originally Posted by captainron_howdy

I checked my MGM Blu-ray last night right after the Criterion to make sure and the MGM Blu sounds correct in that scene. And yes, it's the Unrated version.

Jeez. Guess I’ll have to add a third blu-ray of DTK to my shelf! Wish the MGM had the mono soundtrack, however. I’m assuming the French release, which does have the mono, has the same music glitch as the Arrow and Criterion discs.

[jkoffman]

Anybody interested in buying a First Printing of Criterion's Dressed To Kill? Please DM me.

[Kyle15]

Really want that glitched edition.

[Rockercub]

Originally Posted by Kyle15

Really want that glitched edition.

For those who think Nancy Allen looks too chubby in the regular edition.

[jh901]

The PQ on this release looks "blown out". Reminds me of the HDR on Saving Private Ryan. Is it chroma compression?

[DisneyDreamer2023]

It is worth owning the Arrow 4K, the Kino Lorber 4K and Criterion Blu-ray as all 3 have exclusive special features!

Arrow 4K

Audio Commentary by critics Drusilla Adeline and Joshua Conkel (2025)

“Beyond Good and Evil" 2025 visual essay by critics BJ and Harmony Colangelo (11:17)

“The Empathy of Dressed to Kill" 2025 visual essay by critic Jessica Crets (9:28)

Image Gallery (20 stills)

*Booklet with essays by Sara Michelle Fetters, Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, Matthew Sorrento and Heather Wixson.

Kino Lorber 4K

1980 Archival Audio Interviews:
- Michael Caine (4:51)
- Angie Dickinson (3:31)
- Nancy Allen (14:31)

Teaser (0:54)

7 Radio Spots (4:05)

TV Spots (1:22)


Criterion Blu-ray


“A Lost Art: Brian De Palma" Conversation between director Brian De Palma and filmmaker Noah Baumbach (19:25)

”Characterization and Choreography" Interview with actor Nancy Allen (16:11)

“More Than Money" Interview with producer George Litto (12:12)

Interview with composer Pino Donaggio (15:41)

“Body Double" Interview with shower-scene body double Victoria Lynn Johnson (8:42)

“The Art of the Sell" Interview with poster photographic art director Stephen Sayadian (10:15)

“Defying Categories: Ralf Bode" featurette (10:40)

Storyboard Gallery

*Booklet with essay by critic Michael Koresky