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4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
One Masterpiece, One Disappointment, July 9, 2002
*Hi! As always, my review is based on QUALITY of the DVD's and not on the movie, acting, or direction. DUCKLING: Picture-3.5, Sound-3.5 CITY OF DEAD: Picture-2.0, Sound-3.0 Thus, my overall rating is 3 stars. If I was rating "Duckling" alone, I would round it up to 4 stars by itself. This is an excellent two-pack to buy if you enjoy Lucio Fulci. The price of the two-pack is about the same as if you buy one separately, so get 'em both at once. The case has kind of a hard-to-get-to insert card because the 2nd DVD flops around on a stiff plastic round. The insert card has Chapter Lists, one movie on each side -- that's it. I watched "City of the Living Dead" first and I'm glad. There's not much to enjoy. The picture is lousy and grainy -- this, from a 1980 film. It is not true 16x9; in fact, it is more like a box on the screen. Sound is empty with no depth. Dolby 5.1? I don't know; it's barely stereo. The best part of the movie is seeing Catriona MacColl. "Don't Torture a Duckling" is a superb film. There is a bit of gore, but this movie would earn plenty if released today in theatres. The sound is listed as mono (true) and is sharp and clear, becoming a bit distorted during loud parts. It is a true 16x9 picture and superior to "City of the Living Dead". Whew. Both films feature good-looking female actors, as you'd expect in any Argento, Bava, or Fulci film. The prize here is Florinda Bolkan -- who gets top billing. Now I know why. She is very, very beautiful although in somewhat of a dirty and disheveled role. She is taller and larger than some of the policemen -- I like that -- and her performance is dramatic and superb. She did not receive an easy part to perform. It's always good to find a new female hero although the film is from 1972. She continues to work in film. I'm glad I found her, and I will be looking for more of her work. She literally spells the word GLAMOUR despite the grubby part here. There is one very disturbing violent scene that many will not enjoy. I didn't like it one bit, and most women will not either. Whether it adds to the narrative or belongs in the film is up to you to decide. This is an "uncut" version so I guess Fulci wanted it in there. There seems to be a transportation challenge in this movie as people on their feet can travel faster than automobiles. All the scenes are very interesting! I will view "Duckling" again and again. "City..Dead" is probably worth a view once every five years or so. *
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