Black Angel (2002)
Starring: Anna Galiena, Gabriel Garko, Franco Branciaroli
Plot: Trapped in an unhappy marriage, the wife of a high
ranking Fascist official starts a dangerous, self-destructive relationship with
a duplicitous S.S. Officer.
My Review and Thoughts:
Film (5/5) Reviewing the Blu-ray Release by Cult Epics. This is a beautiful transfer and a flawless example of perfection in creating a new outlet for this Tinto Brass erotic classic. Cult Epics is a master at bringing out the goods.
This is a drama mixed with romance and the underlining
currents of a thriller. Nazis, World War II and the Gestapo. The concept of
Nazis is always a touchy subject to deal with.
Directed by a true cinema master Tinto Brass. Tinto Brass is
a phenomenal and extraordinarily amazing director. He is able to capture the
undercurrents of history mixed with an erotic nature. His films are a mixed bag
of ideas with real-life drama, eroticism, comedy and sometimes a haunting
thriller.
He not only directed, Black Angel, he wrote Black Angel,
edited Black Angel and even had an uncredited acting moment in Black Angel.
Many people will know him from his earlier works, all basically dealing in some
sort of erotic comedy nature. He did principal photography on Caligula one of
the greatest epic films of all time.
Black Angel is not only an erotic must see, it's a
beautiful piece of cinematography and historical reality. This film has a
sexual nature yet it is a thriller and heavy on drama. Black Angel is able to
hold the viewer from beginning to end as you experience the extraordinary
relationships in this film.
This is a dark and haunting and extremely unforgettable
film. Starring the beautiful and amazing
Anna Galiena and the sexy striking Gabriel Garko.
Originally titled Senso '45 it was titled Black Angel for
the international release. This is a stunning erotic gem of cinema that I feel
is a truly logical and historical piece that is relevant in all its ways.
Believe it or not this is actually a remake of the 1954
Italian film Senso. Senso was adapted from Camillo Boito's Italian novel. The
1954 version was directed by Luchino Visconti. The 1954 version was at one time
supposed to star Marlon Brando but it did not follow through with the idea.
Tinto had read the story and watched the original movie which he personally
felt did not give the story justice so he wanted to make a movie using the
original story and idea just twisting and turning the plot by placing the
situation in Nazi Germany during WW2, where as in the original it was set in
the War of Unification.
One must realize when the story was written and created in
the 1800s it was a very frank subject matter. This was about a woman who lusted
after sex. She took pride in her selfish lust and her ultimate desire of sex.
The main character did not care about what she was doing, about the actions
that might hurt or destroy other people. She enjoyed her sexual desires and she
enjoyed what she did with that desire. She had no sympathy for anything she did
or anyone person she hurt as long as she was satisfied.
I feel this is the greatest adaption to this subject. This
film Black Angel created what the story meant to be. The 54 version strayed
from the subject and was more closeted in the subject matter, whereas Tinto
examines it, expresses it and gives it to the viewer in all its erotic and
twisted haunted glory. Sadly both film adaptions do change the character and
both give her more of a sympathetic reality were as in the book, she had no
sympathy.
If my review don't get you to want to see the movie for its
erotic nature, for its historical value, then look no further than the music
score to this film. For the music score is done by none other than the
spectacular, amazing, brilliant, one-of-a-kind, masterpiece film composer
himself Ennio Morricone. I should not have to say any more than that.
Audio/Video (5/5)
Anamorphic-ally enhanced, 1.78:1 widescreen transfer. Looks
sharp, very rich color and amazing detail.
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
2.0 Stereo
Both tracks are clean and I heard total perfection. Priceless, beautiful and extra crisp on video and audio, could not have asked for anything better. English subtitles are included.
Extras (5/5)
Making of Black Angel behind-the-scenes featurette about 25
minutes.25:22, which has Director and cast talking.
Promo reel.
Original trailer, photo gallery.
And the high light is you get the isolated score from the
music god, master composer, Ennio Morricone.
Overall (5/5)
A great film, wonderfully acted. A brilliant Blu-ray to own,
for this is a movie that expresses the horrors, brutality, the erotic nature of
romance love and everything tied up in the reality of life, expressed through
emotion and actions.
A great film. A great dark erotic sensual tour-de-force of
cinema, a film that I will remember.
A flawless Blu-ray.
A flawless Blu-ray.