Dario Argento’s directorial debut was this classic thriller that was originally released in 1969 as L’UCCELLO DALLE PIUME DI CRISTALLO. It was filmed entirely on location in Italy but featured an international cast. This is the film that put Argento on the map, thanks to Argento’s intelligent script, Vittorio Storaro’s lush cinematography, and composer elite Ennio Morricone’s score. The film did great business in Europe and was single-handedly responsible for kick starting the ‘giallo’ murder mystery craze that swept through Europe during the 70’s. Of course, all the copycat films did not have Argento at the helm or Ennio Morricone’s music, so most of these films fell through the cracks. Anyway, VCI home video releases BIRD WITH THEM CRYSTAL PLUMAGE on DVD, and actually manages to improve on Roan’s LD release.

BIRD WITH CRYSTAL PLUMAGE has suffered numerous indignities on home video over the years, due to uncaring video companies anxious to capitalize on Argento’s name. Previous home video releases on both VHS and LD have been truncated versions, with incorrect aspect ratios, and have utilized mangled prints with muted colors for the video image. I’m happy to report that VCI Home Video has not only released the uncut European version of the film, but also restores the film to it’s original widescreen ratio of 2.35.1; and the DVD is 16x9 enhanced to boot!

The film stars Tony (THE GRISSOM GANG) Musante, as burnt-out American writer Sam Dalmas, who is getting away from it all by spending time in Italy. Super sexy Suzy (TORSO) Kendall plays potential victim Julia, Ben’s girlfriend who accompanies him on his foreign getaway. Dario Argento himself portrays the black jacketed killer. Reggie (SALEM’S LOT) Nalder cameos in an unspeaking (though important) role. Mario Adorf portrays a cat-eating artist!

While walking down the street one evening, Sam (Musante) witnesses an attempted murder within an art gallery; a black jacketed killer wrestles with his female victim and stabs her. As Sam rushes in the entrance to help, he becomes trapped in the dual doorway and watches as the killer in black escapes, while the female struggles for her life. The police soon arrive soon, and Inspector Morosini (Enrico Salerno) interrogates Sam.

Sam gives Morosini all the information that he can recall, but insists that something was strange about the whole incident, although he could not say what. Morosini, thinking that Sam is withholding information, confiscates his passport so Sam cannot leave the country. The inspector informs Sam that this is the fourth such death in recent months and he believes they are committed by one highly intelligent killer. He asks Sam to do some sleuthing on his own.

When Sam leaves the police station he stops by an art gallery where one of the earlier victims was abducted and killed. There he finds a mysterious painting that is somehow connected to the murderer. As Sam probes more and more into the murders, he becomes obsessed with pursuing the killer. Soon, he is receiving threats from the killer, and attempts are being made on his life. And more bodies are piling up, while the police are running low on leads. To reveal anymore of the plot or suspects would be a sin, suffice to say that you will never guess the killer’s identity.

The film has Argento’s earmarks all over it: the bizarre camera angles and setups, the red herrings, the strange set-piece murders, and the outsider who may hold the key to solving the mystery. You’ll notice these elements in most of his succeeding films. Add to this Ennio Morricone’s jazzy (though haunting) score, which when added to Argento’s visuals, creates a sweat-inducing layer of suspense. There is one thing Argento’s films from the 80’s on really lacked, and that was a decent soundtrack. Instead of Morricone’s music or similar compositions, he started injecting thunderous heavy metal music into his films. Not to dis heavy metal, but a traditional score would be more appropriate.

There are elements of horror in the film (such as the suspenseful murder set pieces), but it is not truly a horror film. Gore is minimal. But it really succeeds on every other level; it is a Hitchcockian murder mystery, a police procedural, and a brutal suspense flick. There is also some comic relief such as when Sam visits potential killer Berto Consalvi, a starving artist who consumes cats. Consalvi doesn’t inform Sam of this until after the two share a meal!

SIGHT

VCI Home Video presents BIRD WITH THE CRYSTAL PLUMAGE in its original widescreen ratio of 2.35.1 that features enhancement for 16x9 TVs. VCI mastered the DVD transfer from a 35mm negative and the result is most pleasing. This is without the doubt the best the film has ever looked on any home video platform. Argento and cinematographer Vittorio Storaro have a unique visual flair that has long been compromised on home video UNTIL NOW. The images are very sharp with great detail. Colors reproduction is genuinely bright and accurate, except for when Argento purposely mutes the colors to match fog or night scenes. Flesh tones looked natural in all lighting. The blacks are deep and true, and put to use in many of the film’s dark interiors or night scenes. There are some scratches visible in the transfer, but these are very slight and are obviously from the source element, not the fault of the DVD mastering. Film grain is apparent (as is it is with any film of this vintage), but not distracting. The lush photography of Italy’s sights and architecture are a highlight of the transfer, as are Argento’s trademark visuals. On a scale of 1 to 5, the video rates a solid 4.5.

SOUND

VCI mastered the sound elements into a Dolby Digital 2.0 soundtrack. There is not a lot of sound field activity in the rear soundstage, but the forward soundstage is solid. There is little surround activity in the mix, but the stereo mix is far superior to a mono soundtrack that VCI could have released. There is some bass present, but it is a little low. There are no hissing, dropouts, or distortions of any kind usually associated with a film of this period. The movie is dialog driven with the dubbed voices coming from the center speaker. The highlight of the soundtrack is Ennio Morricone’s score which really complements the on screen happenings. Ennio delivers some chilling music during the stalking scenes, then kicks up the intensity with some jazz/rock tunes during the chase scenes. Also present in the soundtrack are some disturbing background noises (when the killer is near) which sounds like a woman crying/dying which is positively chilling. All this sounds crisp and clear in the audio presentation. The dubbing of this film is proof that a movie CAN successfully be dubbed. To summarize, the Dolby Digital 2.0 is obviously not as dynamic as a DD 5.1 mix, but it more than does the job for a film of this nature.

FEATURES

The trailer for BIRD WITH THE CRYSTAL PLUMAGE is 2:40 seconds long and is letterboxed (2.35.1) and is mono. The trailer is decent but the video quality does not come near that of the actual feature. The talent bios are for Tony Musante, Suzy Kendall, and Dario Argento. The Dark Dreams menu provides Web site information for the official Dario Argento Web site called Dark Dreams and also VCI's own Web site. With out a doubt the highlight of the extras is a menu from which you can play the original soundtrack album. Ennio Morricone's entire funky/strange film score is presented in DD 2.0, and the music sounds better and louder than the film’s music track, although it is not quite CD quality. You can choose individual cuts from the soundtrack, or you can play the whole thing. While the tracks play, the onscreen graphic displays the name of the track.

CONCLUSION

Argento’s first film is definitely a classic. The film has some really brilliant moments, and is stylishly photographed. I’ve yet to view a Hollywood style mystery that is as original and unpredictable as BIRD WITH THE CRYSTAL PLUMAGE. If you’ve already seen it, you’ll want to see it again because VCI serves up a great quality transfer of the uncut version. If you have not seen it, you must pick this one up. The thing I love about the film is how Argento sets up the potential red herrings, then has the killer dispose of them until you are scratching your head wondering who the killer is. Even Sherlock Holmes himself wouldn’t see this twist-ending coming. VCI has performed some really impressive work here with the audio and video, and you gotta love Ennio Morricone’s isolated music score. If VCI can continue to release cult films that have the same quality (including 16x9 enhancement) as this one, then Anchor Bay (the current kings of cult films on DVD) could have some serious competition, because there is another kid on the block.

THE BIRD WITH THE CRYSTAL PLUMAGE is available from DVDEmpire.com

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