A Blade In The Dark (1983) (Movie Review)

[@LarryFleetwood8675]

I quite like this one, it does have a TV feel about it but clearly too brutal for television at the time. I like the setting too, they manage to make a normal family house feel sinister. We also get the kid from Fulci's House by the Cemetery and Manhattan Baby, dubbed hideously once again. The Blu-ray from 88 Films though, is not the one to get in my opinion even if it's showing a bit more picture than the Blue Underground DVD, the old BU release is still preferable to me at least because overall the picture is much more detailed and sharper than the muddy looking Blu-ray.

[@CarlinCook]

Good point about making the house feel sinister. I still don't own this film, so thanks for your opinion on the blu-ray releases.

[@beyondthefilmfatale145]

I had for some time had Tenebrae as my number one and Deep Red as my number two. But I watched the Italian language version of Deep Red which was 20 or more minutes longer, it became my number one. I am currently on a Giallo kick, so I need to watch more in order to make a list. I have also been watching quite a few of the Spanish equivalent and have been digging those.

[@CarlinCook]

Good to know. I keep going back and forth between those two films as to what my number one is. They're both great. I've seen some of the Spanish gialloesque films and have enjoy quite a few.

[@GrandpaDoesMovies1]

The thing that bothered me the most was the dubbing. Some films are best watched with subtitles. This is one of those films. The bathroom killing was really gruesome. If Sandra knew Tony as a woman, didn't Sandra notice "Linda" was a man? What was Julia's issues? I have no idea.

[@CarlinCook]

There are definitely things that don't make sense about the film and things I disliked, but overall it felt really fun. I'm excited to host the watch party for this one.

[@saltyessentials]

Just gave this a first watch-through and enjoyed it. Like you, I was on to the male/female killer pretty early. First time I saw those hands, I was like oh those are male hands, and each succeeding killer tidbit reveal confirmed as things went on. Male feet, male calves, etc. I didn't zero in on the house owner the way you did, though (although looking back I should have, he being on of very few male characters in the film). I just kept thinking, man, the killer can't be any of these female characters I'm seeing because they all are obviously feminine and the killer is so obviously masculine - and I was hoping they weren't gonna do that thing where they play a trans character with an actress throughout and then sub in a male actor for the big reveal. (So glad they didn't do that.) I did quite enjoy the film overall, although I don't think I'd go quite as far with a rating - I'd stick with the 3 1/2. Then again I'm new to Giallo in general and I don't have a ton to compare against yet. Oh, and I agree with Film Detective, this would be more enjoyable in Italian with English subs - I found myself enjoying a few unintentional laughs due to some of that wording. Loved the look of the film, and agree the pacing was spot on - the movie just hummed right along, didn't feel like an hour forty eight or whatever it was. Appreciate your review!

[@CarlinCook]

The hands were a big giveaway for sure. If you want to get deeper in to Giallo films, let me know if you want some recommendations. I've watched over 80 at this point and there are some real bad ones out there. Thanks for your thoughts on this film.

[@saltyessentials]

@@CarlinCook Already got a list from you last year, but I'm just now getting around to watching some of them... ;-)

[@supoa9489]

@@CarlinCook Plus if you noticed outside the caretaker, he's only that knew complete layout of the house to be able navigate without being noticed as well to hide the bodies. It's very logical and fair giallo regarding the mystery.

[@CarlinCook]

@@supoa9489 good point.