Emilio Miraglia Killer Queen Box Set [2 Discs]

MOVIE DESCRIPTION:

Once again, NoShame Films has assembled a stellar DVD package for a pair of fan-favorite Italian genre films. The Emilio P. Miraglia Killer Queen Set collects two of that director's best-known films, The Night Evelyn Came out of the Grave and The Red Queen Kills 7 Times. Both have been given excellent transfers that preserve their full Cinemascope ratios in an anamorphic format: each film looks splendid, with rich, velvety colors, and sharp detail. In terms of sound, each film offers its Italian-language mono soundtrack as well as the original English mono dubs. All options sound robust, and fans are likely to appreciate having the choice. Each disc also offers a tidy collection of extras. On The Night Evelyn Came out of the Grave, the viewer is treated to interviews with production designer Lorenzo Baraldi and star Erika Blanc. Each offers interesting memories of the film, with Blanc being a particularly amusing storyteller. Also included are English and Italian versions of the European trailer and a promotional art and photo gallery. The Red Queen Kills 7 Times offers a second interview with Baraldi along with an interview of actor Marino Masé and a brief clip of a Barbara Bouchet interview. However, the most novel inclusion on this disc is a piece called "If I Met Emilio Miraglia Today..." that allows its participants to finish the title phrase in their own manner. Elsewhere, this disc offers an alternative prologue and a promotional art and photo gallery. Even more extras are included via an insert booklet in the disc case that offers eight bios for cast and crew members plus an amusing appreciation of the films by Chris D. However, the crowning touch of the package is a figurine of the Red Queen character that is included as a bonus. In short, The Emilio P. Miraglia Killer Queen Set is a lavish, skillfully assembled package that giallo fans will adore. ~ Donald Guarisco, Rovi

DVD FEATURES:

• Region: All
• Number of Discs: 2
• Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 (Cinemascope)
• Audio: DDM2.0
• Screen: Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV, Color
• Subtitle: English
• Features:
  • • The Night Evelyn Came Out of the Grave:
    • Introduction by star Erica Blanc (a.k.a. Erika Blanc)
    • "The Whip and the Body": Interview with star Erica Blanc
    • "Still Rising From the Grave": Interview with production designer Lorenzo Baraldi
    • The Red Queen Kills 7 Times:
    • Introduction by production designer Lorenzo Baraldi
    • "Dead à Porter": Interview with production designer Lorenzo Baraldi
    • "Round Up the Usual Suspects": Interview with actor Marino Masé
    • "If I Met Emilio Miraglia Today... ": Featuring Erica Blanc, Lorenzo Baraldi, Marino Masé
    • Alternate opening of the movie
    • Collectible booklet: Including liner notes and talent bios

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Director:

  Emilio P. Miraglia

• Screenwriter:

  Emilio P. Miraglia, Massimo Felisatti, Fabio Pittoru

• Cinematographer:

  Gastone di Giovanni

• Composer (Music Score):

  Bruno Nicolai

• Editor:

  Romeo Ciatti

• Art Director:

  Lorenzo Baraldi

• Set Designer:

  Lorenzo Baraldi

REVIEWS:

• Anyone who knows their giallo fare knows that The Night Evelyn Came out of the Grave is one of the most famous titles in that genre's history. That said, it never quite lives up to the hype: despite a memorably odd premise, the script never quite coheres and loses track of its most intriguing plot threads (like the source of its main character's psychosis) as it goes about its sleazy business. The story also falls into a lull around its midsection, and Emilio Miraglia's direction, though stylish, isn't pace-conscious enough to gloss over this flaw. As a result, The Night Evelyn Came out of the Grave isn't as feverish or shocking as it should be. Still, Euro-trash fans might want to check this out for its hefty doses of kink, including a stripper who uses a coffin in her act and Lord Cunningham's erotically charged flashbacks to his wife's infidelity. It also boasts a spooky castle setting and a stunning gothic/lounge score by Bruno Nicolai. In short, The Night Evelyn Came out of the Grave might make acceptable fodder for giallo fans but isn't as memorable as its reputation suggests. ~ Donald Guarisco, Rovi
• La Dama Rossa Uccide Setta Volta is a standard but solid entry in the giallo genre. Emilio Miraglia's film hits all the marks one would expect from such a film: there's an unseen killer, a character lineup packed with red herrings, a traumatic backstory for the protagonist, a few lashing of sleaze, and a surprise ending. Miraglia's pacing is a little erratic and the script occasionally gets caught up in a dead end (like a corporate-intrigue subplot), but it has plenty of good suspense set pieces and redeems itself with a tense third act. Miraglia gives the story an appropriately stylish look, combining wild 1970s decor and costumes befitting its fashion-world setting with slick, Cinemascope photography. La Dama Rossa Uccide Setta Volta also boasts some strong turns by its female-dominated cast; Barbara Bouchet is as fetching and sympathetic as the heroine, while Sybil Danning steals a few scenes as a randy femme fatale. Ultimately, La Dama Rossa Uccide Setta Volta will probably be appreciated more by the Euro-cult film fan than the average viewer, but it offers its specialized audience their fair share of shocks and style. ~ Donald Guarisco, Rovi