Nocturnal Forum

Hi all,

I have a question regarding the movie 'Il Boia scarlatto' or 'Bloody pit of horror'. I've been looking to buy this film on dvd, but am somewhat confused by what I read about the dvd-versions. On IMDB I found that the full-length version should run 83 minutes (it's in Italian) and that the cut-down 74 minute version omits some graphic gore and near-nude scenes. The dvd from Alpha video is in Italian but appears to run only 74 minutes. De SWV-dvd also runs 74 minutes, is in Englisch, but has 9 minutes of deleted scenes. But these scenes appear to be just 'expositive scenes (e.g. more of the photographic crew looking around the catacombs, more of the models posing for camera shots...) but no extra gore or nudity'? Does anyone know which version I should go for. SWV also carries the VHS-version which would be complete? I don't get it...?

Thanks a lot for the help!
Werewolf

Hmmm... I was under the impression that the SWV dvd is a shortened but good-looking version - with all the additional scenes included but in lesser quality.

I don't have the Alpha dvd myself but I have heard it's the complete version with all the deleted scenes from the SWV dvd inserted back into the film. I believe the overall quality on the Alpha disc is poorer that the SWV one, though.

And is the Alpha disc really in Italian? That'd be a first for them! Plus I don't understand why as the complete film was dubbed in English. Indeed, all the deleted scenes on the SWV dvd are in English too.

Johan, the SW is a pretty good buy - the picture quality difference is minimal between the main feature and additional "deleted" scenes. There is no extra gore but the scenes add a bit more character to the players in the film... I like the extra bits, plus I always like SW releases anyway.

I say go for the SW version - I don't believe the Alpha print is in Italian...

I've had problems with SWV dvd's showing horizontal lines in the picture when there is movement. It's just for a fraction of a second, but I find it pretty annoying. Does this happen on the 'Bloody pit' disc? It's made me weary of SWV. From what I know, it's a transfer-fault and has nothing to do with the quality of the source material...

Werewolf