Torso (Limited Edition) 4K Ultra HD Review

Torso (I corpi presentano tracce di violenza carnale), a 1973 Italian giallo directed by Sergio Martino, is one of the films that most influenced the slasher horror genre that would emerge later in the decade and the 1980s. Bearing many of the signatures of the giallo genre, like a mysterious killer wearing a black glove, and a bevy of beautiful women in various stages of undress, the film diverges from more well known entries from the era such as The Bird with the Crystal Plumage with a grittier, somewhat less stylized vision from Martino,  and the focus of the film shifts from the outsider amateur detective as many gialli do, and instead focuses on the killer stalking the “prey.” In this case, the “prey” is a group of four beautiful women who flee the University of Perugia after it is hit by a string of brutal killings where the killer leaves behind a red and black scarf. They go to a secluded villa to get away and find themselves the target of the very same killer.

One watching Torso can see the influences this film had on many films in its wake, from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre to Halloween in the shaky cameras, the gory kills, and the psychotic killer in the mask. Still, the film remains grounded in the world of gialli and revels in its sexuality, from the very opening scene, a closeup of a naked woman on the screen, and what amounts to a drug-fueled college orgy at an underpass earlier in the film. There is no holding back, and one may even see hints of Lucio Fulci in this early 1970s thriller.

Purchase Torso (Limited Edition) 4K Ultra HD on Amazon.com

The Video

Torso is a brand new 4K restoration by Arrow Films from the original camera negative provided on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray in a 1.66:1 HEVC 2160p (4K UHD) Dolby Vision encodement. This one looks appropriately reserved in the area of its Dolby Vision grading, not looking too bright or having highlights that pop with too much three-dimensionality, but that is not to say it does not have a little extra oomph. Colors look a little more vibrant and the contrast is wonderfully nuanced. The texture of the killer’s mask can be practically felt even in the dark, and the highlights really come into play when there are glints of light off the blade. Grain looks particularly natural as well.

The Audio

Arrow provides the original Italian mono mix in DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 on the original 94-minute Italian version of the film and a hybrid English/Italian DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 that corresponds with the original 94-minute version but drops back into Italian where no English is available. For the 90-minute US cut of the film an English DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 dub is included. My preference is the original Italian 1.0, which sounds clean and dynamic, especially for a mono mix from 1973, with little clipping.

The Supplements

Much of the bonus features included on this release are older Arrow Video featurettes from 2018. Nevertheless, there is an excellent audio commentary from the always pleasing to listen to Kat Ellinger and a collectible illustrated booklet with writing on the film.

Limited Edition Contents:

• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Adam Rabalais
• Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring writing on the film by Adrian Smith and Howard Hughes

Bonus Features:

• Audio Commentary by Kat Ellinger
• All Colors of Terror (1080p; 00:34:01) – Interview with co-writer/director Sergio Martino, recorded exclusively for Arrow Films in 2018.
• The Discreet Charm of the Genre (1080p; 00:34:52) – Interview with actor Luc Merenda, recorded exclusively for Arrow Films in 2018.
• Dial S for Suspense (1080p; 00:29:15) – Interview with co-writer Ernesto Gastaldi, recorded exclusively for Arrow Films in 2018.
• Women in Blood (1080p; 00:24:58) – Interview with Federica Martino, filmmaker and daughter of Sergio Martino, recorded exclusively for Arrow Films in 2018.
• Saturating the Screen (1080p; 00:25:03) – Interview with Mikel J. Koven, author of La Dolce Morte: Vernacular Cinema and the Italian Giallo Film, recorded exclusively for Arrow Films in 2018.
• Sergio Martino Live (1080p; 00:46:59) – Q&A with co-writer/director Sergio Martino, recorded at the Abertoir International Horror Festival in 2017.
• Alternate “Torso” Titles (1080p; 00:04:02) – These unique titles were created for the film’s US release by Joseph Brenner Associates. Compiled from a VHS cassette and a partially complete vintage print, the quality is constrained by the condition of these source elements.
• Italian Theatrical Trailer (1080p; 00:03:07)
• English Theatrical Trailer (1080p; 00:03:05)

The Final Assessment

Torso is a true genre fan’s delight. If you love gialli, then this one’s for you. If you love slasher films, then this one’s for you. If you love exploitation films with lots of gorgeous, undressed women, then this one’s for you. You want gore. You got it. Thrills? Check. And Arrow provides it in a beautiful new restoration on 4K. Highly recommended.

Torso (Limited Edition) is out on 4K Ultra HD September 17, 2024 from Arrow Video

Purchase Torso (Limited Edition) 4K Ultra HD on Amazon.com

• Rating Certificate: R
• Studios & Distributors: Compagnia Cinematografica Champion | Arrow Video
• Director: Sergio Martino
• Written By: Sergio Martino | Ernesto Gastaldi
• Run Time: 94 Mins.
• Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1
• Video Format: HEVC 2160p (4K UHD)
• HDR Format: Dolby Vision (HDR10 Compatible)
• HDR10 Metadata:
  • Max. Luminance: 1000 nits
  • Min. Luminance: 0.0001 nits
• Primary Audio: Italian DTS-HD MA 1.0
• Secondary Audio: Hybrid English/Italian DTS-HD MA 1.0 | English DTS-HD MA 1.0
• Subtitles: English
• Street Date: 17 September 2024