A Lizard in a Woman’s Skin (1971) (Blu-ray Review)

A Lizard in a Woman’s Skin (1971) (Blu-ray Review)
Directed By: Lucio Fulci
Starring: Stanley Baker, Florinda Bolkan, Jean Sorel, Anita Strindberg
Rated: R/Region A/1:86/1080p/Number of Discs 1
Available from Mondo Macabro

Carol Hammond, the frustrated wife of a successful London lawyer, is having bizarre, erotic dreams about her uninhibited neighbor, Julia Durer, who presides over noisy, sex and drug filled parties in the house next door. One night, Carol’s dreams culminate in violent death and she wakes to find her nightmares have become reality – Julia has been murdered and Carol is the main suspect. This frightening discovery is just the beginning of a labyrinthine psycho sexual shocker which takes the viewer on a wild ride through a series of frequently breathtaking set pieces that set new standards for the Italian thriller.

As big of a fan of Lucio Fulci as I am, I think his 1971 film, A Lizard in a Women’s Skin, was one of his more popular films that I hadn’t seen yet. Seeing as how the DVD was out of print and pretty pricey, I’m sure it was understandable. That has finally came to an end as Mondo Macabro brings this one back in print and to us on Blu-ray, in both a limited and numbered version with a red case and reversible cover, as well as the basic version that I have here. Basically, A Lizard in a Woman’s Skin, is Fulci’s take on the Italian Giallo film. Not to be out-done by others out there, Fulci paints a very stylish film that might just be his best looking and best shot film. He mixes in some of his classic and signature gore, as well as a great mystery plot that will keep you guessing up until the very end. The very first watch was a great experience for me, because unless you’ve seen it before, you just have no clue how things will eventually go. I probably changed my mind a number of times on who I thought had done it, but the movie keeps doing things to keep you guessing. I always thought Lucio Fulci was a great director, but something like this really goes to show just how great of an eye for cinema he had, as well as how great of a writer he also was.

This movie might not have all the blood some of the director’s other work has, but it does also have its moments of blood and gore regardless. There is one strange scene that comes a bit out of left field that has to do with some dogs. I won’t spoil that scene, but it is pretty infamous if you read up on the history of the movie. The film also tosses at us a good dose of suspense, as we have scenes where you might find yourself just a bit jumpy because you aren’t sure how things will go, as characters are chased through some very cool looking places in the movie. Also, what would a movie in this genre be without some erotic flavor sprinkled on-top of it all as well? To sum it all up, A Lizard in a Woman’s Skin, is a must-own for all fans of Giallo movies. It is probably the best overall made film by the legendary Lucio Fulci, but I could see why gore hounds who love his films Zombi, The Beyond, and House by the Cemetery could be a bit let-down by the amount of gore here, even if what we do get is good. I myself like anything just as long as it is a good movie and this is certainly what I’d call a good movie. The transfer looks about as solid as anyone would hope for. Going by the age of the film and seeing how most Italian horror films look, I think this one looks great and blows of its kind away. The extras have some dated material, but also gives us a great documentary called Shedding the Skin that is a good way to follow-up the film.

Extras

– Brand new HD transfer from film negative
– Shedding the Skin – documentary
– Dr Lucio Fulci’s Day for Night – directed by Antonietta De Lillo – interview with Lucio Fulci
– Interview with writer Stephen Thrower
– Interview with actor Tony Adams
– Audio commentary with Kris Gavin
– Two original trailers
– Radio spots
– Italian/English Language/subtitle choices

Quality of Transfer: 100%