Hatchet Murders [Collector's Edition] DVD

Deep Red
The film that has become the master work in Italian horror maestro Dario Argento's canon, Deep Red holds up brilliantly despite the plethora of copycat slasher films it inspired in the years to follow. The film opens with a flashback murder shown from the perspective of a child while an eerie ursery rhyme plays. Cut to the present, pianist Marc Daly (David Hemmings) witnesses the murder of a psychic while chatting with his drunken pal, Carlo (Gabriele Lavia). While the police investigate, Marc joins forces with attractive reporter Gianna (Daria Nicolodi). Once Marc realizes that he is a target for the killer, he seeks help from Giordani (Glauco Mauri), a professor of the paranormal, who soon becomes one of the killer's victims. Marc's research leads him to an abandoned house where he discovers a secret room that hides a corpse. Before he can call the cops, he is knocked out and awakens to find the place in flames while Gianna holds him. Racing to the neighbors to call for help, Marc discovers an important clue that leads him to a nearby school where he finally finds the killer's identity. The madman attacks him, but the police arrive to save Marc. Though the case appears to be solved, Marc comes to the disturbing realization that one piece of the puzzle remains. ~ Patrick Legare, All Movie Guide

Cast David Hemmings as Marcus Day Daria Nicolodi as Gianna Gabriele Lavia as Carlo Clara Calamai as Marta, Carlo's Mother Macha Meril as Helga Glauco Mauri as Giordani Eros Pagni as Calcabrini Giuliana Calandra as Amanda

Crew Elena Mannini - Costume Designer Dario Argento - Director Franco Fraticelli - Editor Giorgio Gaslini - Composer (Music Score) Goblin - Composer (Music Score) Ubaldo Terzano - Camera Operator Giuseppe Bassan - Production Designer Luigi Kuveiller - Cinematographer Claudio Argento - Producer Salvatore Argento - Producer Germano Natali - Special Effects Carlo Rambaldi - Special Effects Bernardino Zapponi - Screenwriter Giuseppe Bassan - Screenwriter Dario Argento - Screenwriter

Deep Red
Finally available in a fully uncut version, Dario Argento's Deep Red is a first-rate slasher film and one that would be an inspiration in style, direction, and music for such later films as Halloween and Friday the 13th. As with most of Argento's pictures, the murder sequences prove to be the highlight of Deep Red, but the script for this one is significantly stronger and the actors much better. As John Carpenter later did in Halloween, Argento keeps the body count to a minimum, but more than makes up for the low number by heaping on the style. Each of the murders is perfectly choreographed with particular praise going to Glauco Mauri's killing. In the scene, Mauri stands in his living room holding a knife, awaiting the killer he knows is there. Instead, a menacing puppet comes through a doorway at the shocked man, and that's when the killer strikes, smashing the man's face into several sharp corners before finishing him off with a knife. Another strong image is that of a victim being dispatched by drowning in scalding water (a scene that inspired a similar murder in Halloween II). The cast, led by David Hemmings and Argento regular Daria Nicolodi (who has two children with the director), is very strong, and features some exceptional background characters such as a little girl who likes spearing lizards. Technically, the film is another example of Argento's expertise with cameras, special effects, and sound effects. The director's use of widescreen lensing is exceptional and the film should never be watched unless letterboxed. The final reel wraps the film up in a thrilling manner and features two extremely graphic deaths that leave the viewer stunned as the credits roll. The newly restored version is nearly 30 minutes longer than the previous American tape, but much of the footage is playful dialogue between Hemmings and Nicolodi that only slows the picture down. ~ Patrick Legare, All Movie Guide
 

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General Specifications: Language Options: Subtitle Options: Sound Processing: DD: Generic Dolby Digital (unspecified format) Additional Features: none specified MPAA Rating: R DVD Discs Included: 1 DVD Sides: 1 DVD DVD Region Code: All Content Length: 98 min   DVD Chapters: Side #1 -- 1. Meet Mrs. Ulman [11:14] 2. Murder One [15:54] 3. Looking for Carlo [17:07] 4. In the House [15:13] 5. The Mansion [29:20] 6. Confrontation [11:24]