Slap the Monster on Page One
BUY AT:
See more details, packaging, or compare
Synopsis
Days before a general election a young girl is raped and murdered. Bizanti (Gian Maria Volonté, The Working Class Goes to Heaven), the editor of a right-wing newspaper uses the story to help the conservative candidate his paper supports. The tumultuous time of Italy’s ‘Years of Lead’ are captured in Marco Bellocchio’s powerful political drama which directly addressed topics of its day and even prefigured the creation of the right-wing paper Il giornale, which came into being two years after this film. In an age of media manipulation Slap the Monster on Page One has never been more relevant and stands proudly alongside such Italian activist classics as We Still Kill the Old Way and The Mattei Affair.
Picture 9/10
Radiance Films delivers Marco Bellocchio’s Slap the Monster on Page One to Blu-ray in a stellar presentation, featuring the film in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1 on a dual-layer disc. The 1080p/24hz high-definition transfer is sourced from a new 4K restoration of the original negative, and this North American release presents the uncensored version of the film. (The UK release will reportedly censor a shot showing a composite image featuring a black-and-white photo of a child's face pasted onto a nude adult woman’s body, due to child protection concerns.)
The presentation is impressively sharp, showcasing a high level of detail and rendering the fine grain structure immaculately, free of noise or macroblocking. The restoration work is thorough, with almost no damage visible throughout the majority of the film. The only exceptions are sequences incorporating archival footage, which retain their dupier quality and are marked by scratches and dirt, though this is to be expected.
Colors are well-saturated, though some moments lean slightly toward a Ritrovata yellow tint without fully crossing into it. Whites appear warm but fine, skin tones appear accurate, and black levels, while occasionally a bit murky, still allow for solid shadow detail and delineation. Blues stand out with particular strength, while reds and greens exhibit a pleasing vibrancy.
Minor caveats aside, this is an excellent restoration and presentation, and I have no doubt the film has never looked better.
Audio 6/10
The film’s original Italian soundtrack is presented in lossless 2-channel PCM monaural. As is typical of Italian films from this period, the audio is dubbed, resulting in a somewhat flat presentation that can feel detached from the on-screen action. That said, the track is clean and free of any significant issues, with no heavy damage or distortion to detract from the experience.
Extras 5/10
Radiance offers a modest selection of supplements, though the release feels disappointingly sparse in this area. Leading the features is an archival 20-minute interview with director Marco Bellocchio, originally recorded for a prior DVD edition. Bellocchio discusses how he came to direct what was his only work-for-hire project after the original director, Sergio Donati, left due to conflicts with star Gian Maria Volonté. He explains the adjustments he made to align the film with his own sensibilities, delving into its political undertones.
The release also includes two newly recorded interviews. The first, a 25-minute conversation with critic and author Mario Sesti, expands on Bellocchio’s involvement with the project and provides valuable context about the political climate of 1970s Italy—specifically the "Years of Lead"—and the real-life events and figures that likely influenced the film. Sesti highlights how the film reflects Italy during this turbulent era, offering a deeper appreciation for its themes and backdrop.
The second new feature, a 10-minute interview with filmmaker Alex Cox, proves to be the standout addition for me. Cox provides a brief background to the film before analyzing two key sequences involving Volonté’s character, focusing on their political implications. These scenes—one about the wording of a headline, the other about the ethics of exploiting the murder case central to the film—are broken down, making for an engaging and insightful examination of the film’s messaging and the political overtones.
Rounding out the limited edition is a booklet featuring an essay by Wesley Sharer, which explores the impact of the Years of Lead on Italian cinema and situates this film within that context, along with other films like Salo, The Conformist, and others.
While the new material adds value, it's probably one of Radiance's slimmer set of features.
Closing
An excellent new presentation and a couple of strong features make this a must-have for fans of Italian political thrillers.
BUY AT:
