Dario Argento (Suspiria) returns to classic form with this vicious thriller about a serial killer who taunts police with online video poker. But for every round the cops lose, a kidnapped girl is mutilated live via webcam. Now an Italian detective and an Irish forensics expert (Liam Cunningham, TV’s Game of Thrones) must race against time to trap the killer. The stakes are murder and the hunt is on for the psychopath known only as THE CARD PLAYER.
For thoughts on The Card Player, please check out our discussion on The Video Attic here.
Video Quality
The Card Player comes to Blu-Ray from Kino Classics and Code Red with a digital AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.85:1 that appears to be derived from a slightly older master that is in great shape. The presentation is pleasing throughout most of the runtime with image stability and delineation being top notch. Instances of print damage occasionally pop up very briefly, but overall clarity and detail is excellent. This transfer maintains the natural film grain of the presentation with only minor instances of it seeming a bit clumpy. The picture can run a bit soft in long shots, but colors are well saturated in a visually pleasing way. Skin tones are natural with subtle facial features easily noticeable in closeup. Black levels are pretty solid with very little in the way of crush. This presentation is excellent even without a fresh master. Fans will probably be satisfied with the overall look of the film.
Audio Quality
This new Blu-Ray comes with a lossless DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio mix in both Italian and English that captures the intention of the film as well as the source will allow. A personal pet peeve with a film this recent is the decision to film with actors in different languages and post-dubbing to match the language chosen. No matter which track you choose, there are going to be some characters who are dubbed. This is a side effect of the filming technique and not an issue with the disc. That being said, the dialogue is strong, coming through clearly without being stepped on by the music or sound effects. The environmental effects are delineated nicely from the chatter at the police station to the train in the final segment. The track avoids most instances of age related wear and tear or distortion. The music from Claudio Simonetti maintains a pleasing fidelity as it comes through the room. This is a track that represents the film as was intended by Argento. Optional English subtitles are provided on this disc.
Special Features
- Audio Commentary: Film Historians Troy Howarth and Nathaniel Thompson deliver a really great commentary track in which they discuss the divisive nature of the feature, how this finds Argento functioning in a very different mode, the shot composition of the feature, how this film evolved into something very different from the the original plans, the performances in the film and more. These two like the film quite a bit more than I did, but it is nice to hear different arguments as to why they think it succeeds.
- Watch Me When I Kill – Interview with Director/Screenwriter Dario Argento: An 18-minute interview with Argento is provided here in which he discusses his inspiration to make the film, having the lead characters be police, the shooting locations, the decision to not shoot in Venice, the work on his new cinematographer, the performances and more.
- Taking Risks – Interview with Screenwriter Franco Ferrini: A nine-minute interview with Ferrini in which he talks about Argento contacting him with initial ideas, the real-life inspirations for the story, the intentional bleakness of the locations, how it compares to other Argento films and more.
- A Chip And A Chair – Interview with Set Designer Antonello Geleng: A 12-minute conversation with Geleng in which he talks about his thoughts on abandoning the idea to shoot in Venice, finding a balance between real locations and sets, how the setting ties into the themes of the film, the lighting of the film, his collaborations with Argento, his feelings towards the film and more.
- Game Over – Interview with Actress Fiore Argento: A nearly nine-minute interview with “Lucia Marini” in which she discusses where she was at this point in her career, her father writing a role specifically for her, the lighting and costumes in the film, what she represented in the film, how his style and temperament evolved from his earlier days, and more that is very insightful.
Final Thoughts
The Card Player is an interesting giallo mostly due to the fact that it is made by the one and only Dario Argento. Outside of this basic fact, there is not a lot that this film has going for it to elevate it above any of the other middling efforts from the genre. Argento does not seem to be comfortable working with stories in recent decades, as he has more of a classic sensibility that fits into a certain time period. This effort just feels very dated in a way that feels painful. Kino Classics and Code Red have released a new Blu-Ray featuring a pretty solid A/V presentation and a pleasing array of special features. If you are a completist for Dario Argento, this is a technically solid release of the film.
The Card Player is currently available to purchase on Blu-Ray.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Kino Classics and Code Red have supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.
