Danger: Diabolik

Danger: Diabolik
by Mario Bava

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DVD details

Actor: Adolfo Celi, Claudio Gora, John Phillip Law, Marisa Mell, Michel Piccoli
Director: Mario Bava
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono; English (Subtitled)
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.78:1
Running Time: 100 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2005-06-14
Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Paramount

DVD Reviews of Danger: Diabolik

DVD Review: a delicious fantasy thrill ride . . .
Summary: 4 Stars

Visually striking, fast-paced, atmospheric, and exciting, Mario Bava's Danger: Diabolik (1968) is a delicious, fantasy thrill ride. A Dino de Laurentiis production, based on an Italian comic book series, the cinematic Diabolic is a bold, audacious super crook who with the help of his gorgeous girlfriend Eva Kant, commits the most outrageous of crimes, executed with savage zeal, and fearless efficiency, that leaves the police gasping for breath.

John Phillip Law (Barbarella) is Diabolik, a mysterious figure who typically wears a skintight costume, and ninja style mask that exposes his eyes and eyebrows. Eva, his partner in love and crime, is played by Austrian beauty Marisa Mell. Together they make a sexy and ruthlessly efficient criminal team, gathering in the riches, racing away in a Jaguar, and then reveling in the ecstasy of wealth.

Famed for his creative camera work and use of colors in the horror genre, director Mario Bava does a magnificent job of translating a comic book to the big screen. The editing is reflective of the quick-hitting style of an action comic, with few wasted moments. There isn't much character development, or thoughtful chit chat, the movie is an exhilarating ride, where you figure things out on way. The film is littered with creative and striking visuals. Diabolik's futuristic underground lair is a showcase for Bava's imagination and skill. With the revolving bed, shower, and gold splattered cavern scenes being among the highlights. Danger: Diabolik is like watching a magic show, not every illusion works, and the projection shots appear very dated, but for the most part, it holds your attention.

Diabolik is opposed by Inspector Ginko (Michel Piccoli), a policeman who has the idea to use the underworld as a tool against Diabolik. By tightening the screws on criminal bigwig Ralph Valmont (Aldolfo Celi), he gets his cooperation in a scheme to trap Diabolik. The plan almost works, but Diabolik literally cheats death, and strikes back with a vengeance, at the financial heart of the country. A huge gold ingot next becomes the focus of Diabolik's desire, but this time Ginko may be one step ahead. The film finishes with the door open for Diabolik's return, which unfortunately did not happen.

Although influenced by the Bond films, Q's gadgets, and Ken Adam's lavish designs, Danger: Diabolik has a style all its own, and from all appearances stays true to the original comic book. Diabolik is not out to save the world, but instead wants to rob it blind, and rock the very foundations of society. For fans of the 60's spy genre, crime capers, or dark edged comics, this is a fantasy can easily be appreciated. Ennio Morricone's wonderful score, makes a big contribution to the film's atmosphere and vibe.

The widescreen presentation has a commentary track featuring John Phillip Law, and film historian Tim Lucas. The commentary is informative, with Lucas covering various technical aspects and obscure items, and Law occasionally speaking about his remembrances. The very illuminating documentary, 'Danger: Diabolik - From Fumetti To Film', puts the film in perspective, and reveals how much of the plot was actually adapted by Bava, from the original Italian fumetti (comics). The Beastie Boys' music video for Body Movin', pays homage to the film, and is also included. A couple of trailers round out the extras.

DVD Review: Why would Paramount let this go out of print?
Summary: 5 Stars

Don't understand Paramonut,they put out a nice edition of Danger Diabolik and let it go out of print,I was lucky enough to find a brand new copy at a Piggly Wiggly of all places when I was visiting South Carolina for only 7.99 + tax,this is after it went out of print so I feel so lucky,the quality of the Widescreen print is superb on this DVD,it also has some interesting extras as well,hopefully it will go back in circulation,one can hope,I'm so glad to ahve this in DVD as is my VHS got eaten(Oh ther horror!) FYI,this movies is based on Europe's Dibolik comics!!! A+

DVD Review: Exhilarating Gas
Summary: 4 Stars

The Italian comic book comes to life in this incredibly strange and enjoyable picture. You know all those day-glo, pop-arty 60s misfires like Barbarella? This is what they were going for. It's like a nihilistic episode of the Batman TV show except that it's seriously sexy as well. Needs to be seen to be believed. Stick around for the commentary and extras too. (And this must be Morricone's craziest score.)

DVD Review: Dangerously Cheesy
Summary: 3 Stars

"Danger: Diabolik" was Mystery Science Theater 3000's final movie... and it works. '60s era hottie John Philip Law stars as super-criminal Diabolik, with Marisa Mel as his longtime girlfriend Eve. Unlike 007, Diabolik is a one-woman man. Diabolik finds ingenious ways to escape from the law and steal emerald necklaces and gold. He doesn't mind wreaking havoc. The movie's cheesiness inspired the Beastie Boys' "Body Movin'" video as well as the upcoming "Speed Racer" movie from the Wachowskis.

"Diabolik" is gloriously campy and psychedelic. Law's acting leaves much to be desired... but he spends most of the film shirtless, so it doesn't matter. Ennio Morricone contributes a deliciously loopy score, with the hilarious song "Deep deep down." MST3K rightly drubbed "Diabolik"--it's dangerously cheesy!

DVD Review: Good comic book adaptation
Summary: 3 Stars

With Mario Bava, it doesn't really matter if the story is good or not- he creates visual experiences out of a telephone book if necessary. Here, Bava delivers a film based on the archetype of the fumetto nero- immoral and/ or amoral gangster-hero Diabolik. Here Diabolik is even more of an anarchist than a simple gangster. For the time it was quite unusual to tell the story from the villain's point of view and moreover to let the villain win. Stylistically this film is iconic: scenes or motives lifted from Diabolik pop up all over the place. It's stylish: great sets, cool dudes, good soundtrack and bright colours. What I like about this film is that it's one of the few comic book adaptations that work visually. As opposed to many other directors Bava makes full use of cinematic possibilities instead of copying the 2 dimensional panel look of a comic book. Of course the dramaturgy is rather weird, as the film works more like two episodes of a series then one story or one film.

Description of Danger: Diabolik

The suave, psychedelic-era thief called Diabolik (Law) can't get enough of life's good - or glittery - things. Not when there are currency shipments to steal from under the noses of snooty government officials and priceless jewels to lift from the boudoirs of the superrich. The elusive scoundrel finds plenty of ways to live up to his name in this tongue-in-cheek, live-action caper inspired by Europe's popular Diabolic comics. He clambers up walls, zaps a press conference with Exhilaration Gas, smacks a confession out of a crime lord while freefalling with him from an airplane, and pulls off the heist of a twenty-ton gold ingot.

Master criminal Diabolik's got it all. He's got a black leather suit and ski mask, a pair of Jaguar XKEs, gadgets galore, an underground headquarters, and of course the ravishing Eva (played by Sixties Euro-hottie Marisa Mell). Together, the two of them pull off daring capers, staying a step or two ahead of the police, the government and rival mobsters all the while. Think the Sixties Batman TV series, James Bond, Barbarella, Matt Helm, and even a bit of Austin Powers for this distinctly Sixties crime romp. Director Mario Bava, as usual, made the most out of a less-than-lavish budget, with wild sets, an Ennio Morricone score, striking photography, and a psychedelic-soaked feel all the way around, with Bava's trademark camera work making it a visual delight in many scenes. Terry-Thomas comes in as a bumbling government official (the scene where his press conference is disrupted by Diabolik's "exhilarating gas" is a classic). It's all very tongue-in-cheek fun, based as it is on a comic book from the period. John Phillip Law, of course, is no better than he ever is as the rather fey master criminal, passing off his wooden performance as "stoic", but it works. Unlike contemporaries like Bond, though, Diabolik eschews the swinging Sixties life for a happily monogamous relationship with Eva (who wouldn't?). This is some goofy brain candy that's perfect for an evening of Sixties-retro fun. --Jerry Renshaw

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