Murder Rock (Special Edition) aka Murder-Rock: Dancing Death | Murderock - Uccide a passo di danza [Blu-ray]

(5 stars for the blu-ray, 3 ½ stars for the film) Lucio Fulci's 1984 giallo "Murder Rock" while far from being one of his best films, is also not nearly as bad as many of its detractors would lead you to believe. I actually find it to be a decent little movie. It is filled with some stylish direction (which reminded me of Fulci's contemporary Dario Argento in places), gorgeous female dancers in various states of very revealing attire or no attire at all, a soundtrack by none other than Keith Emerson, solid acting and a nice little murder mystery. The lack of hardly any gore in the film might surprise some people who expecting something akin to Fulci's celebrated splatter horror offerings such as "Zombie", "City of the Living Dead", "The Beyond", and "House by the Cemetery" might be disappointed. But "Murder Rock" is not that type of film being more similar to his controversial and just plain mean spirited 1982 giallo "The New York Ripper" but without the extreme violence and viciousness which caused that film to be banned or heavily cut in a lot of territories. "Murder Rock" was definitely cashing in a bit on the 1983 smash hit "Flashdance" as all as 1980's "Fame" to a certain extent with its focus on sultry women dancing but it is by no means a ripoff either. It is really evident that Fulci was trying a bit with this one even it does not reach the heights of his abilities as a filmmaker. Keep your expectations in check and it is worth checking out in my opinion. "Murder Rock" gets a terrific blu-ray courtesy by Scorpion Releasing. The transfer features a 2K transfer & restoration from the original camera negative completed in 2018. The film is presented in its original 1.66:1 theatrical aspect ratio utilizing the AVC codec on a dual layer disc featuring a hefty bit rate often times getting into the low to mid 30's. Detail is wonderful with spot on contrast and black levels. No digital sharpening or noise reduction appears to have been done. Fleshtones look accurate which is a plus due to all of the female flesh on display. For a film that often times gets regarded as one of Fulci's lesser efforts, this special edition blu-ray presents the movie in style and probably looks better than the film ever has. Audio is presented in 2 channel master audio in either English or Italian. English subtitles are included but are accurate for the Italian dub but often times do not match the original English dialogue. Extras are as follows: - Commentary by film historian and Fulci expert Troy Howarth - Interview with actress Geretta Geretta (25:11 HD) - Interview with make-up artist Franco Casagni (13:40 HD) - Theatrical trailer (2:37 SD) "Murder Rock" gets another opportunity to be discovered thanks to this terrific blu-ray by Scorpion Releasing. The movie is a decent little murder mystery and looks better than it ever has on this disc and gets some insightful extras including a fantastic commentary track. Highly recommend!

Lucio Fulci's Murder Rock is a brilliant Giallo. For those familiar with his work they'll be happy to know that this one is pretty fun, straightforward and fast paced. Fulci cut on the Gore this time to bring us something different, a very good Mystery/Thriller with good twists. Probably one of the best of his late career and a perfect addition to the 80's italian Giallo masterpieces. Unlike Fulci's other movies, Murder Rock is not as dark and obscure, it has a very bright tone to it. Laughter, Music, Dance and Choreography are very present throughout the whole movie, making it a very entertaining ride all the way through the end. Dont get me wrong, this is not a comedy, far from it, its a Giallo at 100%, sometimes brutal and merciless but its fresh and its fun too. I think Fulci and the crew had a lot of fun making it. Never had that feeling before while watching a Fulci film. Catchy rock tunes from the 80's and dancy music is also something we dont hear very often in Fulci's movies. Although slightly different in terms of style,the movie is still on par with Argento's horror masterpiece "Opera", just a little more groovy musically. Aside from working very hard to make sure they'll be chosen to perform in the next competition, the dancers from a prestigious ballet/workout School in NY are in deep trouble when they finnd out that a killer on the loose is trying to kill them one by one......... The cinematography/Photography here is exceptional,way above many films of that era,the colors are vivid, the picture is crisp, clear and of very high quality. I've rarely seen a movie of that era with such a nice picture quality. The darker scenes are also very well done,that little dark blue tint is simply amazing, it adds on increasing the gravity of the scenes which are already very atmospheric. The film itself easily deserves 4 stars but the photography/Cinematography is so good that it also deserved one. This movie will be welcome in any horror fan collection, especially italian giallo fans. It is seriously overlooked and underrated. Better than many late fulci films in my opinion. ENJOY!!!!

Went in just looking for some goofy 80s camp. Was surprised at just how well filmed it all was. Gorgeous shots & lighting. Story was loads of fun & (mostly) moved along at a brisk pace. Maybe not the most satisfying 3rd act, but certainly ended up being a very competently made giallo. More fun than many better known giallo. I imagine it'd play well for the midnight crowd at a festival.

Ok, so a lot of "fans" of the genre (giallo) or of the director (Fulci) don't like this one. I think the biggest reason for that is because Fulci is the "Godfather of Gore" and this movie has next to none. It was obviously a chance to cash in on the Flashdance craze, but it's cashing in in a seedy, dirty, Italian mystery kinda way. I really like this one, and think overall it is one of Fulci's best films, but completely underrated. If you like gialli, and can stand to chuckle at some 80's legwarmers dancing fools, check this one out.

Fulci lives

Almost as much a “dance movie” as it is a giallo-ish crime thriller, this was enjoyable change of pace after Fulci’s Gates of Hell trilogy. Sure, I love gore whereas this has but some blood. Yet this was intriguing and had intense kills in its own unique way. Okay, wow. So right out of the gates—so many long, surprisingly inspired and elaborate dance numbers with incredibly lively music. From Breakin’-inspired pop-and-lock to ballet-contemporary and straight-up Flashdance-y provocative. Cameras wander to gyrating hips and other delicate bits. But make no mistake. This movie features some major dance routines! With a major show coming up soon and a big competitive cut to be made to whittle down the over-worked dance students, recent murders beg the question of whether the killer isn’t one of the students trying to ensure her rise to stardom. With time, more are murdered in the same very specific manner, but the authorities seem no closer to identifying the killer. Between the murders and the unfair competitive pressure being placed on the students, the head dance instructor (Geretta Geretta) and school mistress Candice (Olga Karlatos) are placed at odds. In proper giallo form, our killer POV shows his extended, gloved hand as he chloroforms his dance student victim and slowly punctures her ribs through to her lung with an ornate hair needle. For so little blood during this almost peaceful murder, it actually struck me as very tense and graphic. I watched this expecting the kind of movie that might transition horror between Suspiria and Aerobicide--not the case. The horror is quite soft in this film, which is more of a crime thriller in nature. But as a crime thriller, it’s decent. Just don’t come into this thinking you’re getting a wildly gory Lucio Fulci movie.

A must for any Lucio Fulci fan. One of his giallo-like films. Full of suspense that will keep you watching.

Ok, it's nowhere near as good as Zombi 2, The Beyond, City Of The Living Dead, Lizard In A Woman's Skin, Don't Torture A Duckling, etc... But it's still a pretty good movie! It has a few plot holes, it doesn't have any gore (surprisingly) and the music is really cheesy, but it's pretty entertaining, it has a great suspensful atmosphere (during the killings) and a great twist ending (the killer is the character that I expected the least to be the killer)! See it, but don't expect too much. 3.5 stars.

Received in time. Good gialli recommended for fans even if the killer is a bit weird with its quacky voice movie is still enjoyable.

Murderock è un salto nel tempo per Fulci, un ritorno al giallo elegante ed intricato senza effettacci gore , come il più famoso "Sette note in nero", arricchito da una grandiosa colonna sonora firmata da Keith Emerson (non me ne vogliano i fan di Frizzi, ma non c'è gara). Unico film premiato nella sua carriera ( vincitore al festival di Avoriaz nel 1986 del "premio sezione paura") è un titolo ampiamente sottovalutato nella filmografia di Lucio. Eppure gli elementi che fanno di "Murderock" un must have per gli amanti del genere ci sono tutti: è catchy, pieno di tensione, false piste, ottime interpretazioni (la Karlatos su tutti, Lovelock è splendidamente ambiguo),possiede un buon ritmo e, sopratutto, è curato. Per una volta Fulci mostra che il suo cinema migliore non è fatto solo di sangue e bassa macelleria; qui i riflettori sono puntati sullo stile e la tecnica che, nonostante il basso budget (come fa notare l'attrice Geretta Geretta, buona parte delle spese sono andate a favore di Emerson) soddisfano i cultori di Fulci più attenti. Il restauro della Scorpion ha fatto quello che poteva, sinceramente è stato fatto di meglio da parte della Shameless ,ad esempio, con altri titoli come "L'aldilà". La prima immagine è qualità vhs , la seconda è del blu ray , giudicate voi. L'audio italiano è mono e poco cristallino ( con la traccia originale di meglio non so se poteva essere fatto). Extra: intervista con Geretta Geretta (Demoni, Rats) in inglese senza sottotitoli, purtoppo; intervista al make up artist in italiano; trailers.

Mit Murder Rock lieferte Meister Regisseur Fulci einen seiner wirklich letzten guten Filme ab.Nach dem Stinker Demonia ging es einfach bergab mit dem talentierten Italo Regisseur. Murder Rock ist Fulcis seltener Versuch eines Giallos.Sein erster Dont Torture a Duckling ist ein Klassiker des Genres und das nicht umsonst.Ein wirklicher hervorragender Film der hier in Deutschland bisher noch nicht veröffentlicht wurde.Murder Rock ist zwar ein guter und spannender Film kann aber nicht an den ersten heranreichen.Dazu ist die Story stellenweise zu konfus und unlogisch.Trotzdem hat der Film eine beklemmende Atmosphäre und einige hervorragende Spannungsmomente.Fulcis perfekter visueller Stil ist unglaublich,bei einigen Szenen bleibt einem einfach die Luft weg.Kamera,Schnitt und die Musik von Keith Emerson tragen zum gelingen des Films natürlich bei. Bei den Schauspielern gibt es natürlich,wie immer in italienischen Horrofilmen,Tag und Nacht.Olga Karlatos,Claudio Cassinelli und Cosimo Cinieri sind gut der Rest der Besetzung bleibt eher blass. Der Film selbst ist auf dieser DVD ungeschnitten.Es handelt sich hier um einen der harmloseren Fulci Werke.Dafür gibt es einige gutaussehnde Damen leichtbekleidet zu sehen. Die DVD von CCI ist sehr gut gelungen.Die Bild und Tonqualität ist sehr gut.Als Extras gibt es eine Bildergalerie und den Trailer. Fazit: Für Fulci und Giallo Fans ein Muss.Für anspruchsvolle Krimifreunde eher nicht zu empfehlen.

good lucio fulci film. lots of good suspense. a little different from his usual gory scenarios. but nevertheless I found it enjoyable !

Bluray region free e lingua....top!