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Blade in the Dark (A) AKA La casa con la scala nel buio AKA House of the Dark Stairway (1983)
A composer, working in isolation on a score for a horror movie meets two women who used to know his house's former tenant...Director: Lamberto Bava
OVERALL: Draw-
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Extras:"Behind The Blade" featurette
Cast and crew biographies and filmographies
European theatrical trailer
2-page leaflet containing a reproduction of the Italian lobby card and liner notes by Video Watchdog's Tim Lucas.
The featurette is in Italian with English subtitles. -
Subtitles:None
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Aspect Ratio:1.85:1
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Picture Format:Anamorphic
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TV System:NTSC
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Soundtrack(s):English Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
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Case type:Keep Case
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Extras:"Behind The Blade" featurette (9:26)
Cast and crew biographies and filmographies
European theatrical trailer -
Subtitles:None
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Aspect Ratio:1.85:1
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Picture Format:Anamorphic
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TV System:NTSC
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Soundtrack(s):English Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
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Case type:Keep Case
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Notes:The featurette is in Italian with English subtitles.
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Extras:Stills and Artwork Gallery (52 pictures)
Theatrical Trailer (2:03) -
Subtitles:Dutch, English, Finnish, German, Swedish
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Aspect Ratio:1.66:1
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Picture Format:Non-Anamorphic
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TV System:PAL
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Soundtrack(s):English Dolby Digital 1.0
German Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono -
Case type:Keep Case
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Notes:Limited to 500 copies.
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Special thanks to Rewind user Åsmund_Utvik for providing these specifications.
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Extras:Lobby Stills & Artwork Gallery (56 Images)
Theatrical trailer (3:14) -
Subtitles:None
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Aspect Ratio:1.85:1
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Picture Format:Anamorphic
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TV System:PAL
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Soundtrack(s):English Dolby Digital 1.0 Mono
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Case type:Keep Case
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Special thanks to Rewind user electricboy for providing these specifications.
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Have you spotted a mistake in these specifications? If so, let us know via our Feedback Form. -
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Extras:Cast and crew biographies
Cast and crew filmographies
Photo gallery
Theatrical trailer -
Subtitles:Dutch, English, Finnish, German, Swedish
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Aspect Ratio:1.66:1
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Picture Format:Non-Anamorphic
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TV System:PAL
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Soundtrack(s):English Dolby Digital 1.0 Mono
German Dolby Digital 1.0 Mono -
Case type:Keep Case
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Special thanks to Rewind user electricboy for providing these specifications.
- Specifications to be confirmed
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Extras:"Jeux d’Ombre" featurette (38:57)
"Technical file" notes
Filmographies for:
- Lamberto Bava (Director)
- Valeria Cavalli (Actress)
- Michele Soavi (Actor)
- Fabiola Toledo (Actress)
- Anny Papa (Actress)
- Andrea Occhipinti (Actor)
Photo gallery
Theatrical trailer (3:03) -
Subtitles:Italian Version: French (forced)
Export Version: None -
Aspect Ratio:1.78:1
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Picture Format:Anamorphic
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TV System:PAL
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Soundtrack(s):Italian Version:
English Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
Export Version:
French Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono -
Case type:Keep Case
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Notes:Comes in a slipcase.
The featurette is in Italian with optional French subtitles. -
Special thanks to Rewind user djvaso for providing these specifications.
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Buy this disc from
Amazon France
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Extras:DISC ONE (Blu-ray Copy)
DISC TWO (DVD)
*The Film - Italian Version (102:30)
Audio Commentary by Marcus Stiglegger
Audio Commentary by Pelle Felsch & Christoph Draxtra
Alternate Export Version (91:20)
Italian Advertising Material (0:37)
Trailer (3:14) -
Subtitles:Italian Version: German (forced)
Export Version: None -
Aspect Ratio:1.66:1
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Picture Format:Anamorphic
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TV System:PAL
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Soundtrack(s):Italian Version:
Italian Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
German Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
Export Version:
German Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono -
Case type:Keep Case
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Notes:Limited to 666 copies.
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Commentaries:Audio Commentary by Marcus Stiglegger (on Italian version)
Audio Commentary by Pelle Felsch & Christoph Draxtra (on Italian version) -
Extras:*The Film - Italian Version (102:30)
Alternate Export Version (91:20)
Italian Advertising Material (0:37)
Trailer (3:14) -
Subtitles:Italian Version: German (forced)
Export Version: None -
Aspect Ratio:1.66:1
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Picture Format:Anamorphic
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TV System:PAL
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Soundtrack(s):Italian Version:
Italian Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
German Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
Export Version:
German Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono -
Case type:Keep Case
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Have you spotted a mistake in these specifications? If so, let us know via our Feedback Form. -
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Extras:Photo gallery
Theatrical trailer -
Subtitles:None
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Aspect Ratio:1.77:1
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Picture Format:Anamorphic
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TV System:PAL
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Soundtrack(s):English Dolby Digital 1.0 Mono
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Case type:Keep Case
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Notes:Also available as part of a double feature with Spookies.
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Extras:Interview with cinematographer Gianlorenzo Battaglia (19:11)
Q&A with Lamberto Bava - moderated by Calum Waddell (50:08)
Italian opening credits (1:18)
Italian closing credits (0:47) -
Subtitles:English (forced)
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Aspect Ratio:1.66:1
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Picture Format:Anamorphic
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TV System:PAL
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Soundtrack(s):English Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
Italian Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono -
Case type:Keep Case
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Special thanks to Rewind user Harry_Maynard for providing these specifications.
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OVERALL: Draw
The German releases have both versions of the film and exclusive German commentaries.
The French release has both versions of the film with differing extras, though note the transfer is not in the original aspect ratio.
The UK 88 Films release has the longer Italian version with the original Italian audio and English dub, with differing exclusive extras.
General notes regarding the different versions of the movie:
The film was originally shot for Italian television, and planned as four 27 minute segments. However, the final cut of the film ended up for theatrical release, at least in its English language form, rounding up at ~96min. This version was uncut in terms of being a final "director's cut" for international distribution.
However, a longer version running ~109min existed in Italy. The extra footage doesn't add much in the way of plot development or gore, but it does achieve a more layered, character-motivated approach than the consumer friendly earlier cut. Some of the restored scenes include Bruno making a pay booth call to Julia's boss, more atmospheric night scenes of Bruno exploring the house, a longer build up to the second murder, and several extra red herring bits involving Stanko Molnar as the groundsman, fondling scissors and generally acting suspiciously. -
CUTS:
- R0 America- Anchor Bay Entertainment - No cuts - Italian version
- R0 America- Blue Underground - No cuts - Italian version (108:28 NTSC)
- R0 Germany- EC / DVD-Verkauf.com - No cuts - Theatrical (92:27 PAL)
- R0 Remastered Collector's Edition Holland- EC - No cuts - Italian version (108:40 PAL)
- R0 Theatrical Release Holland- EC - No cuts - Export version
- R2 Collector's Edition France- Neo Publishing - No cuts - contains both the Italian version (104:11 PAL) and the Export version (95:57 PAL)
- R2 Eurocult Collection #10 Germany- X-Rated - No cuts - includes the Italian version (102:30 PAL) and Export Version (91:20 PAL)
- R2 Giallo Series #16 Germany- X-Rated - No cuts - includes the Italian version (102:30 PAL) and Export Version (91:20 PAL)
- R2 United Kingdom- Vipco - No cuts - Italian version
- R2 Cult Cinema Collection United Kingdom- 88 Films - No cuts - Italian version with English credits (102:32 PAL)
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Do you own a release not listed? Then please visit our forums and let us know!
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Comparison added by David on 10/04/03
Comparison last updated by James-Masaki_Ryan on 08/08/18UPDATE LOG:
17/06/17: Added German edition.
Please ensure you read our disclaimer.
06/10/10: Addition of the French release.
17/05/14: Added Amazon links.
17/06/16: Tweaked title.
07/08/18: RTs of movie/extras added to EC release (Italian version)
08/08/18: Title update, added UK 88, updated notes, updated Germany x2, France, capsaholic.
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