Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #53158 in DVD
• Released on: 2004-07-26
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
• Formats: Dubbed, Full Screen, PAL
• Original language: English
• Dubbed in: English
• Number of discs: 1

Synopsis
John Harrington, (Stephen Forsythe), is a haunted man on a mission. He must relive the terrible death of his mother to learn the whole truth of his existence. John marries many times but each bride never sees her first wedding anniversary. All are hacked to death, repeating a vision John has had throughout most of his youth. Only his dead mother knows why. His latest bride however, finds a way to terminate this deadly torment with a little help from her friends.

Customer Reviews

Hugely entertaining
At last we're treated to a Mario Bava film that gets a release it deserves. Bava's inventiveness is apparent from the first scene when he subverts the giallo convention by revealing the murderer - but withholding the motive. His use of colour is never less than ravishing, and the camera manoevres - whilst never gratuitous or flashy serve the story very well. The acting is also great - surviving the usual dubbing nightmares quite well (plus some hilariously dated fashions).

The extras are also great - a wonderfully cheesy trailer, plus an hour long documentary on Bava's career, along the lines of the Argento "Eye for Horror" documentary. It's relieving to know that Bava's status as true innovator and cinematic magician is now fully recognised. I just hope that Anchor Bay can get their hands on some of his other gialli and horrors and give them the same treatment.

Far From Bava's Best
In my opinion this is far from Mario Bava's best. It's easy to make comparisons between this film and Blood and Black Lace. Both are set in a large fashion house. Both have the killer preying on the beautiful models around him. But while every shot in Blood and Black Lace is crammed full of suspense and colour, Hatchet feels like a pale imitator. As opposed to traditional Giallo films, the killer is known right from the start. The hook intended to grab you in this film is the reason why he has to kill. But unfortunately it becomes pretty obvious half way through the film what the ending will be, thus robbing it of any real suspense.

However what is great about this DVD is the documentary on Bava that's been included in the bonus material. It has interviews with Kim Newman, Tim Burton, Bava's son and grandson, and a whole host of others who give some great insights into the "Italian Hitchcock". Well worth the price of admission just for this.

So overall, the film's not the best, but the extras are great.