When Camp and Crime Collide, Bava for the Win

MOVIE REVIEW
Danger: Diabolik (4KUHD)
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Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller, Adventure
Year Released: 1968, Kino Lorber 4K 2025
Runtime: 1h 43m
Director(s): Mario Bava
Writer(s): Angela Giussani, Luciana Giussani, Dino Maiuri, Adriano Baracco, Brian Degas, Tudor Gates, Mario Bava
Cast: John Phillip Law, Marisa Mell, Michel Piccoli, Adolfo Celi, Terry- Thomas, Claudio Gora, Mario Donen, Caterina Boratto, Annie Gorassini
Where to Watch: available July 22, 2025, pre-order your copy here: www.kinolorber.com or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: Kino Lorber’s 4K release of DANGER: DIABOLIK reminds us just how much style can accomplish when story takes a backseat. Originally released in 1968 and now restored with Dolby Vision and HDR from a 4K scan of the original negative, this chaos-fueled caper has only gained more swagger. It's a heady dose of Euro pulp sleaze, campy charm, and swinging ‘60s energy. You’re not here for realism—you're here for lasers, gas, vinyl jumpsuits, and a masked criminal who steals gold because he can.

As adaptations go, DANGER: DIABOLIK is less concerned with moral reckoning and more interested in raw aesthetic pleasure. John Phillip Law stars as the titular master thief, a stylish, near-silent figure whose arsenal of gadgets, underground hideouts, and love for chaos would make even Bond jealous. But unlike Bond, Diabolik has no allegiance to country or cause. He’s a pure agent of disruption. It’s refreshing, if not a little chaotic, to watch a film where the villain is the protagonist and gets away with everything—including the girl, the gold, and the headlines.

That girl—Marisa Mell as Eva—is far from just window dressing. Mell imbues Eva with intelligence, delivering a performance that’s as bold as the wardrobe. Together, they form one of the most iconic yet dangerous duos of the 1960s. The chemistry between Mell and Law carries the weight of the film, even if it’s buried under layers of camp theatrics and saturated visuals.

Mario Bava was known for his mastery of color and composition, and DANGER: DIABOLIK is arguably one of his most visually distinct works. He turns every frame into a pop-art explosion, using exaggerated lighting, sharp camera angles, and miniatures to craft a world that feels ripped directly from the comic panels. This new 4K restoration gives those colors room to breathe, and the detail allows you to appreciate the production design more than ever. Bava’s practical effects and matte work might not impress those raised on CGI, but for fans of physical artistry, this is a treasure trove.

And then there’s the music. Ennio Morricone’s score manages to be both groovy and sinister, flipping from lounge seduction to tension-heavy brass within the span of a scene. Few soundtracks have ever matched the energy of a film this precisely. It’s a crucial element of the film’s identity, gluing together the visual chaos with a wink and a pulse.

Of course, all of this flash doesn’t entirely hide the sparseness of the plot. The episodic structure means you get a series of escalating heists with little connective tissue or character evolution. The stakes never feel real because the film never wants them to. It’s more interested in spectacle than suspense. You’re either on board for that or you’re not. Those expecting a grounded crime thriller will likely be thrown off by how gleefully nonsensical the story becomes. But for viewers tuned into its specific wavelength, DANGER: DIABOLIK is a giddy, unapologetic ride.

The supplemental features on Kino’s release are robust. Two audio commentaries (one featuring star John Phillip Law, the other hosted by historians Troy Howarth and Nathaniel Thompson) provide context and behind-the-scenes tidbits without overstaying their welcome. There’s also the 2005 featurette “From Fumetti to Film,” a Beastie Boys music video that paid tribute to the film, and trailers for both the original and the more recent Diabolik entries. The disc even includes a newly discovered alternate outro, as well as both 5.1 surround and lossless stereo audio, making it a comprehensive package that rewards both casual viewers and longtime collectors.

For its narrative shortcomings, there’s a reason DANGER: DIABOLIK has endured as a cult favorite. It’s the kind of movie that gets under your skin—not because of what it says, but because of how it makes you feel. It’s stylish without apology, sexy without shame, and proudly uninterested in playing by the rules of traditional storytelling. Kino Lorber’s 4K release does right by Bava’s vision, enhancing every explosion, every fabric texture, and every evil smirk. If you’re the kind of viewer who values visual ambition, this one’s essential. It’s a film that doesn't just revel in excess—it builds a throne from it.

Product Extras:
DISC 1 (4KUHD):
Brand New HDR/Dolby Vision Master by Paramount Pictures – From a 4K Scan of the 35mm Original Camera Negative
Audio Commentary by Actor John Phillip Law, Moderated by Film Historian Tim Lucas
Audio Commentary by Film Historians Troy Howarth and Nathaniel Thompson
Newly Discovered Outro (3:11)
5.1 Surround and Lossless 2.0 Audio
Triple-Layered UHD100 Disc
Optional English Subtitles

DISC 2 (BLU-RAY):
Brand New HD Master by Paramount Pictures – From a 4K Scan of the 35mm Original Camera Negative
Audio Commentary by Actor John Phillip Law, Moderated by Film Historian Tim Lucas
Audio Commentary by Film Historians Troy Howarth and Nathaniel Thompson
Newly Discovered Outro (3:11)
From Fumetti to Film: 2005 Featurette (20:23)
Body Movin: Music Video by Beastie Boys (with Optional 2005 Commentary by Beastie Boys’ Adam Yauch) (6:38)
Teaser Trailer (1:05)
Theatrical Trailer (2:23)
Theatrical Trailers for Diabolik (2021) / Diabolik: Ginko Attacks (2022) / Diabolik: Who Are You? (2023)
5.1 Surround and Lossless 2.0 Audio
Dual-Layered BD50 Disc
Optional English Subtitles

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[photo courtesy of KINO LORBER]

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