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If a suitor wants to win the heart of one of the seven Mulvain sisters, he'd better be ready to dead lift 300 lbs. and dine on shredded-parsnip souffle. Combining the then-novel topic of physical fitness with Hollywood song and dance, Athena is an eat-your-veggies romantic romp highlighted by catchy Hugh Martin/Ralph Blane tunes and socko color cinematography. Jane Powell (fresh off her triumph in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers) and Debbie Reynolds play two of the sisters, and Edmund Purdom and Vic Damone play their smoking, boozing, nonvegetarian beaux. Former Mr. Universe Steve Reeves flexes his pecs in a supporting role, displaying a physique so phenomenal it soon vaulted him to screen stardom as the mighty Hercules. SPECIAL FEATURES: 3 Outtake Musical Numbers: "Competition Dance," "Imagine (Second Reprise)" with Vic Damone and Debbie Reynolds and "Love Can Change the Stars (Duet Reprise)" with Jane Powell and Edmund Purdum Theatrical Trailer

Description

The success of Dario Argento s The Bird with the Crystal Plumage ushered in a host of imitators, seeking to capitalize on this new, modern take on the giallo thriller. Many were highly derivative, but a number nonetheless rose above the crowd thanks to skillful execution and a willingness to experiment stylistically. Once such example is The Fifth Cord ¬ which, in the hands of director Luigi Bazzoni (The Possessed, Footprints on the Moon), turns a conventional premise into a visually stunning exploration of alienation and isolation. When a man barely survives a brutal assault en route home from a New Year s party, washed-up, whisky-swilling journalist Andrea Bild (Franco Nero, Django) is assigned to report on the case. Before long, the maniac strikes again, this time with fatal results. As the body count rises, Andrea falls under suspicion himself, making it even more imperative that he crack the case. His only clue lies in a series of black gloves found at the location of every attack, each with a finger cut off... Adapted from a novel by David McDonald Devine, The Fifth Cord boasts a complex, Agatha Christie-esque plot, outstanding cinematography courtesy of future Oscar-winner Vittorio Storaro (Apocalypse Now) and supporting appearances by a raft of genre stalwarts, including Silvia Monti (A Lizard in a Woman s Skin), Edmund Purdom (Nightmare City) and Rossella Falk (Sleepless). Debuting here in high definition, arguably the most visually stunning giallo ever made now shines like never before. SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS Brand new 2K restoration from the original camera negative High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation Original lossless mono Italian and English soundtracks English subtitles for the Italian soundtrack Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing for the English soundtrack New audio commentary by critic Travis Crawford Lines and Shadows, a new video essay on the film s use of architecture and space by critic Rachael Nisbet Whisky Giallore, a new video interview with author and critic Michael Mackenzie Black Day for Nero, a new video interview with actor Franco Nero The Rhythm Section, a new video interview with film editor Eugenio Alabiso Rare, previously unseen deleted sequence, restored from the original negative Original Italian and English theatrical trailers Image gallery Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Haunt Love FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Illustrated collector s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Kat Ellinger and Peter Jilmstad