Double Feature: Spider (1991) and The Fox with a Velvet
Tail (1971)
Company: Mondo Macabro
Starring: Spider: Romualds
Ancans, Aurelia Anuzhite, Saulius Balandis, Liubomiras Lauciavicius
Starring: Fox: Analia Gade, Jean Sorel, Rosanna Yanni, Tony
Kendall, Maurizio Bonuglia
My Review and Thoughts:
Here are two totally odd and brilliant Cult films. Both are
being brought out by the wonderful one of a kind studio Mondo Macabro. Mondo
Macabro is a studio that I love greatly. They bring out such unique and
interesting and totally out their pieces of cinema that have been forgotten by
time. Those films that never get the light of day or those that are unearthed
and brought out from the hidden darkness of the forgotten cinema world. To me
Mondo Macabro DVD/Blu-ray is the place to go to look for these wonderful
obscure pieces of cinema, overlooked, and yet dugout for fans of this type of
genre.
First up is Spider. Spider is about Vita. A beautiful
teenage girl. She is approached by an artist who just happens to be an artist
that causes a lot of buzz from his controversial work. He wants Vita to pose
naked as the Virgin Mary for his painting. She decides to visit his work shop.
While there she finds herself enthralled with the bizarre and the artist’s
friends.
To make the reality all the weirder and confusing the paintings seem
to come to life, shadowy figures haunt her. She has massive nightmarish visions.
She dreams, of the artist as a giant spider who comes to her as she
sleeps. What has the beautiful, innocent
Vita gotten herself into. Will she survive her ordeal, or is her ordeal all in
her head? Vita must come to terms with the strange and the odd reality
happening around her.
Starring in this was a fantastic actor. I know him from lots
of films. His ability to capture characters was always a flawless undertaking. Sadly,
Romualds Ancans passed away at the age of 67 years. He left many wonderful examples
of films that are worthy to seek out and experience and Spider is one of his
most unique films. This odd dark sexual film is something that has to be seen
to be understood.
This was directed by Vasili Mass. This is his only film as
director. His main work was in Production Designer for 8 films. He definitely
left his mark with Spider. It’s a truly unique and one of a kind experience.
Next up on this Mondo Double Feature is: The Fox with a
Velvet Tail from 1971. This is another odd and fantastic Giallo film. A
wonderful Italian cross over Spanish Giallo that really stands out. This is a
perfect murder mystery that only a Giallo can be. Giallo is a film that
originated in the Italian thriller or Horror genera of film. These movies had
many styles that could represent or detail a slasher film,
crime fiction, psychological horror. Typically, this type of movie detailed a
killer, a detective or someone investigating a string of strange murders of a
brutal nature. Most Giallo’s could be very violent and gory at times.
In The Fox with a Velvet Tail your main characters are
Ruth and Paul. Ruth just separated from Michel after finding another man, Paul.
Soon all kinds of strange things start to happen. The brakes on the car fails.
Other items malfunction for no reason. Is Ruth in mortal danger. Is Ruth being
sought out or is it all just coincidence. You the viewer must decide as this
true mystery unravels.
Directed by the brilliant visionary Jose Maria Forque. Sadly,
this master of film is no longer with us, but his brilliant films and productions
can be watched and enjoyed. I highly recommend you seek out his films. I am thankful
that Mondo Macabro brought this brilliant Cult gem to Blu-ray. This film has
never looked any better.
Starring as Ruth is the beautiful, vibrant wonderment of an
actress Analia Gade. She is a goddess of cinema who has starred in over 70
productions and each one shines with her golden ticket of classic beauty and
performance. It was so great seeing her in this. This is the first time I have
seen this film and I was super excited realizing that she starred in it. She is
brilliant in so many films. Seek her work out.
Also all one has to do is look at another actor in the film
Jean Sorel who plays Paul. Jean is a master talent. He has been in some of the
greats in film history. 1967’s Belle de Jour, 1973’s The Day of the Jackal.
Still acting strong today. Over 90 productions. He also starred in one of my
favorite Lucio Fulci Giallo films 1971’s A Lizard in a Woman’s Skin. Another
priceless Giallo is 1971’s Short Night of Glass Dolls. Just a truly brilliant
actor, which makes watching The Fox with a Velvet Tail all the more important
to see.
Both Blu-ray’s are perfection for the lover and fan of these
type of films. Two brilliant Cult films that are must own experiences.
Audio/Video: My Rating: 5 out of 5
I have nothing to compare these two films to. I have never
seen these films until now and I've never owned another copy of them. Both of these Blu-ray’s are spot on. The audio is good. The visuals are good
and it's great that this has been recorded and brought out and enhanced for
this generation. This like the other releases, is dynamic in transfer and sound
quality. A beautiful vibrant imagery. Crisp to the eyes. The sound is nothing
more than ear candy. Two beautiful new outlets to these older films that are chosen
by Mondo.
Spider’s Audio and Video:
Region free worldwide Blu-ray premiere
1080p HD presentation, from a 4K scan of 35 mm elements
housed in the Latvian State Archive of Audiovisual Documents
Russian language with newly translated, optional English
subtitles
The Fox with a Velvet Tail Audio and Video:
1080p HD presentation featuring a brand new 4K scan from the
original negatives
English/Italian/Spanish language choices, with newly created
optional English subtitles
Extras:
Spider’s Extras: My Rating 3.5 out 5
In-depth interview with director Vasili Mass
Archival on-set footage from the making of the film
Mondo Macabro previews
Brand new cover art by Gilles Vranckx
Fox with a Velvet Tail Extras: My Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Exclusive audio commentary by Troy Howarth, author of So
Deadly, So Perverse: 50 Years of Italian Giallo Films
"So Sweet, So Perverse", Eurotika! documentary on
the ladies of Eurocult cinema
Mondo Macabro Previews
Overall:
Two wonderful Blu-ray’s to own for those who enjoy this type
of cinema. I highly recommend for the fans of Cult Cinema. Truly two forgotten
pieces that have finally been unearthed and created for a new Blu-ray outlet,
that can grace the shelves of all the fans of this wonderful cult genre. Like I
said this is for fans that appreciate this type of cinema. Fans that understand
the quality of cult cinema. These are wonderful Blu-ray’s. A wonderful
unearthing of two films that truly graces the inner fan of Cult Cinema.
Mondo Macabro are for the fans. For they truly know how to
give gifts of unearthed, forgotten films. They grace this type of genre of
film. They showcase, the bizarre and the weird, the underground, the grind
house, the foreign, the lost films of their time.
A perfect transfer, perfect sound quality. Perfect films to
experience. Two wonderful Blu-ray's by the important company Mondo Macabro who
honors film in excellent ways. Highly Recommended.
INFO:
Make sure you head over to http://mondomacabro.bigcartel.com/ to
buy all the wonderful Blu-rays. The main page that gives you
these beautiful releases on top quality Special Editions.
Also head over and like Mondo Macabro on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/mondomacabrodvd