A frequently requested Dario Argento title finally makes its debut on DVD in the US for the first time, in a properly letterboxed special edition. Has Anchor Bay done the maestro and his masterpiece justice? The answer to this question follows.

Cristina Marsillach stars as Betty, a young up and coming Opera singer, who gets her big break, when the star of a macabre version of Macbeth has an accident, rendering her unavailable for curtain call. Meanwhile a crazed fan is set off on a rampage of murder and mayhem. Forcing young Betty to watch as he tortures and murders her loved ones. He ties up Betty and tapes pins under her eyes, so she is forced to watch the terror unfold, or the pins will rip into her eyelids. Disturbing on so many levels, this is what makes Opera an Argento favorite. Opera includes many moments to please even the most jaded viewer, including a bullet shot through a peephole of a door. A visual, you will not soon forget.

Opera's home video history is long and complicated. Many fans think they've never seen the film uncut, but they are in fact incorrect. The long out of print Southgate tape was indeed uncut and complete, but alas, pan and scan. Opera has also appeared letterboxed, overseas in a 1.85:1 transfer on laser disc. There are many debates as to the true ratio of this Argento classic; is it 1.85:1 or 2.35:1? Argento has in fact screened Opera in the scope 2.35:1 ratio, and this is the ratio it has been transferred in for this DVD release. I am pleased to report that this is Opera like you have never seen it before. Finally, this film looks complete.

I've heard some reports that the transfer is too dark. I've also heard some reports that the transfer is too light. Well, I'm here to report that it looks pretty much dead on to me. Opera has always had a yellow, kind of golden hue look to the film and the colors have always been saturated. I think it looks just fine. I have also heard stories of the disc locking up and pixelating. I ran this disc on a few players, one being a first generation Toshiba, and have had no problems. There is rumor of a recall; we'll keep you posted.

Extras are a lot of fun, including a new documentary, running just shy of 40 minutes. Informative and well directed, the documentary includes interviews with many of the stars, and creative forces behind the scenes. I don't want to give away all the fun, so let me just say it's a job well done. We are also treated to trailers, a Daemonia music video, and your standard Argento bio. The special edition also comes with a CD of the original soundtrack, limited to 30,000.

All in all, an excellent presentation from Anchor Bay. Opera is an Argento classic I am thrilled to finally have on DVD, in a definitive properly letterboxed edition.