Dressed to Kill (1980 dir. Brian DePalma)
Standing alongside such cinematic greats as Francis Ford Coppola, William Friedkin, and Stanley Kubrick, director Brian DePalma is one of the most influential filmmakers in history. Films like Phantom of the Paradise, Carrie, Scarface, The Untouchables, Body Double (which we will definitely cover here) and of course, Dressed to Kill, spawned countless imitations and fledgling directors trying to grasp some of that DePalma magic in their productions. But there is only one Brian DePalma, and there is only one Dressed to Kill. This 1980 horror – thriller starring Michael Caine, Nancy Allen, and Angie Dickenson, was certainly influenced by Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho, but the amazing visual style of DePalma created a signature work all his own.
Beyond all of the genius cinematic and editing skills DePalma possesses, one of the things I love about many of his movies is that titillating merger of sex and violence. The camera voyeuristically lingers on half dressed or brazenly nude heroines, moving in slow motion while they remain oblivious to the imminent danger that lurks in the shadows right behind them.
From the IMDB description of Dressed to Kill: “A mysterious blonde woman kills one of a psychiatrist’s patients, and then goes after the high-class call girl who witnessed the murder.”
Both Nancy Allen and Angie Dickenson steam up the lense and Michael Caine digs into his role as Doctor Robert Elliot with wicked glee.
This is what sexy horror is all about folks, and if you haven’t seen Dressed to Kill it is now available on a two disc 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray with the following features:
DISC 1 (4KUHD):
-Brand NEW HDR/Dolby Vision Master From a 16bit 4K Scan of the Original Camera Negative
-NEW Audio Commentary by Film Critic and Author Maitland McDonagh
-5.1 Surround and Original Lossless 2.0 Mono
-Triple-Layered UHD100 Disc
-Optional English Subtitles
SPECIAL FEATURES DISC 2 (Blu-ray):
-STRICTLY BUSINESS: NEW Interview with Actress Nancy Allen
-KILLER FRAMES: NEW Interview with Associate Producer and Production Manager Fred C. Caruso
-AN IMITATION OF LIFE: NEW Interview with Actor Keith Gordon
-SYMPHONY OF FEAR: 2012 Interview with Producer George Litto
-DRESSED IN WHITE: 2012 Interview with Actress Angie Dickinson
-DRESSED IN PURPLE: 2012 Interview with Actress Nancy Allen
-LESSONS IN FILMMAKING: 2012 Interview with Actor Keith Gordon
-The Making of DRESSED TO KILL: 2001 Documentary
-Slashing DRESSED TO KILL: 2001 Featurette
-Unrated/R-Rated/TV Rated Comparison: 2001 Featurette
-An Appreciation by Keith Gordon: 2001 Featurette
-1980 Archival Audio Interviews with Actors Michael Caine, Angie Dickinson and Nancy Allen
-Theatrical Trailer
-7 Radio Spots