BLU KRIMINAL 1966

New release: Cult Epics have announced their upcoming 4K Blu-ray edition of the 1966 cult classic, Kriminal! This was the first of two movies in the sixties based on the original Italian comic by Max Bunker (Luciano Secchi). Director Umberto Lenzi had pursued Diabolik and Satanik as potential projects, but eventually secured rights to this skeleton-costumed anti-hero, who burgled, seduced, and killed his way through Europe. While the film didn't capture the depth of erotic violence seen in the source material (maybe a good thing for a viewer like me), I found it an entertaining dark comedy. As a fan of architecture and set design, I was slightly let down by the film's conventional settings -not the swingin' sixties style you'd expect in a 1966 project- but the ironic tone and cool costume made it worth checking out. I'm interested to see what a proper 4K restoration will bring to the experience! I also wonder if Cult Epics will release the second movie, The Mark of Kriminal (1967). Seems like they could have been paired together as an attractive double feature? Press release info below.

Related posts: Diabolik 4k, Kriminal Score, Satanik Kriminal OST, Spy Vibe Radio: Diabolik, Diabolik Set Designs, Morricone R.I.P., Diabolik Interview, Diabolik Figures, Diabolik Sounds, Diabolik Park Ride, Danger Diabolik Blu. Spy Vibers might also enjoy my Diabolikal board on Pinterest.

A mastermind thief known as Kriminal narrowly escapes execution. He always manages to stay one step ahead of the law with each new crime he commits. Will Kriminal be able to pull of his biggest score yet or will a double cross lead to his demise?

Cult Epics is proud to present to you, for the first time in 4K, Kriminal – one of the absolute classics of pulp comic adaptations, the crown jewel of "fumetti neri," directed by cult maestro Umberto Lenzi, and starring Glenn Saxon and Helga Liné.

Special Features and Technical Specs:

DISC ONE - 4K BLU-RAY

• NEW 4K RESTORATION FROM THE ORIGINAL CAMERA NEGATIVE
• HDR PRESENTATION OF THE FILM
• ORIGINAL ENGLISH AND ITALIAN AUDIO TRACKS
• NEW Audio Commentary by critics Eugenio Ercolani and Troy Howarth
• Original Theatrical Trailer
• Optional English subtitles for the main feature

DISC TWO - BLU-RAY

• NEW 4K RESTORATION FROM THE ORIGINAL CAMERA NEGATIVE
• HDR PRESENTATION OF THE FILM
• ORIGINAL ENGLISH AND ITALIAN AUDIO TRACKS
• NEW Audio Commentary by critics Eugenio Ercolani and Troy Howarth
• Armed to the Teeth: The Cinema of Umberto Lenzi – Feature-length documentary
• Camera Nostalgia – Interview with actor Glenn Saxson
• The Sound of Krime – Interview with Pierpaolo De Sanctis
• Isolated Score
• Original Italian Credits
• Original Theatrical Trailer
• Promotional Gallery
• Trailers
• Optional English subtitles for the main feature

ADDITIONAL CONTENT

• Slipcase
• Reversible Sleeve with original Italian poster art

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MABUSE PROPAGANDA

Lots of chaos on the radar these days, and nothing spells chaos like MABUSE. The arch-villain Doctor Mabuse was created by novelist Norbert Jacques and popularized in a series of films between 1922-1971, most notably by director Fritz Lang. He was a master criminal, much like Fantomas, whose dedication to organized evil and undermining stability became, in the lore, an undying idea that lived on in the hearts of his followers. Dr Mabuse returned as a character in the 1980s in a single by avante-pop band, Propaganda. The group hailed from Dusseldorf and recorded under Trevor Horn's ZTT label in the mid-1980s. Spy Vibers may remember Horn from The Art of Noise. After relocating to the UK, Propaganda released a number of interesting projects, including a cover of Throbbing Gristle's Discipline and the acclaimed album, A Secret Wish (1985). One of the album's singles, Dr. Mabuse, charted in both Germany and in the UK and became a popular track on entertainment programs such as The Tube (1982-1987). The promotional video (version 1) for Dr. Mabuse celebrated the era of German Expressionist films, and it was one of the first video projects by Anton Corbijn- famed photographer for many 1980s/1990s bands (dubbed "Mr U2" by Bauhaus frontman Peter Murphy) and director of The American (2010) starring George Clooney. Filmed in beautiful black and white at night, the Mabuse video featured the band members in cloak and dagger vibe, and none other than actor Vladek Sheybal (From Russia With Love, Secret Agent, The Baron, The Saint, Casino Royale, Billion Dollar Brain, The Champions, Callan, UFO) in the role of Dr. Mabuse! The video's rich imagery also recalls Fritz Lang's M and the hooded menace and secret societies of Edgar Wallace Krimi stories. The lyrics of the song warn: "The man without shadow promises you the world. Tell him your dreams and fanatical needs. He's buying them all with cash. Sell him your soul." Check it out below (and keep your eyes open). Read more about Propaganda member, Claudia Brücken. I was so fixated on the band when I first posted this today, I didn't think to mention that many of the actors in the later Mabuse films will be familiar to Spy Vibers: Gert Fröbe (Goldfinger, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang), Senta Berger (The Man From U.N.C.L.E., It Takes a Thief, The Poppy is Also a Flower, The Quiller Memorandum, The Ambushers), Karin Dor (Upperseven, You Only Live Twice, Topaz), Dawn Addams (The Saint, Danger Man), Peter van Eyck (The Spy Who Came in From the Cold), Werner Peters (Assignment K, The Killer Likes Candy), and Dahlia Lavi (The Silencers, Casino Royale, Some Girls Do). Thank you to Agent East for reminding me of the bigger picture! The music was the main draw, but it's fun to see this wider web of talent connecting our cultural touchstones. Speaking of music, my new radio segment for Cocktail Nation out of Australia will be up soon! Check out past episodes here. Spy Vibers, also please check out my new book (over 700 pages!) about one of America's most successful cartoonists. On other creative fronts, Spy Vibers might not know that I began exhibiting as a fine art photographer in the late 1980s. I haven't really shared that part of my life here, but readers might like to see some of my work on Instagram. Enjoy!

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