Cat O’ Nine Tails Blu-ray Review

• 22nd Sep 2011

Arrow Video are at it again, this time with Argento’s early 70’s feature Cat O’ Nine Tails (The second in his ‘animal trilogy’).

This is another murder mystery feature from Argento. Our leading players are a crime journalist and a blind man who team up to solve a series of related murders. The first hour of this film are literally taken up with the murders and they come thick and fast. The killer may be fond of strangulation (and never pretty it is when it happens) – but we get a few more ingenious kills such as when one of the first victims is shoved in front of a train.

The film clearly demonstrates Argento’s growing confidence as a director (this was still only his second feature) and has some nice onscreen performances from the likes of James Franciscus and Karl Malden (as the reporter and the blind man).

As for the disc. The Blu-ray is obviously of better quality – yet it isn’t the best polish given to an Argento work. The extras are also on the minimal side. Sure enough we get the 3 15-25 minute interviews with the Argento, Luigi Cozzi and Sergio Martino as who have appeared on previous disc releases. The set also will come with another Alan jones booklet on the film, but no commentary this time though  – which is a shame as I’m sure there is plenty to be said about this decent film. Worth adding to the collection on the film’s merits alone then.

Steven Hurst