This film is currently available to purchase on Blu-ray from Arrow Films.
Since getting his start early in the 1970s, independent Greek filmmaker Nico Mastorakis has compiled a lengthy list of writing and directing credits. This includes numerous B-movies like Island of Death, The Zero Boys and Nightmare at Noon, as well as producer credits on titles like the cult monster movie, Bloodtide. Arrow Video are now presenting Mastorakis’ first feature on Blu-ray. Death Has Blue Eyes has been nearly impossible to find in this part of the world since its original release and is finally getting the high-definition Blu-ray treatment. In truth, the movie’s story is episodic and goes off on some strange tangents, but remains a surprisingly stylish flick. And despite being made on a shoestring budget, the final product does show a lot of ingenuity and promise.
It is clear from the outset that this title is a combination of R-rated James Bond style tropes and telekinetic horror pictures that had recently become popular after the release of Carrie. The story begins with conman Robert Kowalski (Peter Winter) arriving in Greece to see his friend, Ches Gilford (Hristos Nomikos). Robert has already assumed the identity of another passenger on the flight and begins using the moniker to treat himself and Ches to various extravagances. However, they get called out at a hotel by Geraldine Steinwetz (Jessica Dublin) and her attractive daughter, Hristina (Maria Aliferi). The two ladies seem to know everything about the two men, causing unease. It is soon revealed that Hristina has psychic powers. Geraldine explains that they’re on the run after witnessing an assassination in Poland and enlist the pair to serve as their protection. It isn’t long before the group are being pursued by dangerous thugs out to kill them.
The movie is essentially a series of sketches that aren’t always well connected. In fact, Robert and Ches rarely seem appropriately flummoxed by what is occurring around them. Ches’ reaction to his buddy’s dangerous acts early don’t result in more than a shrug, which doesn’t do too much to generate tension. But when the action comes, it’s well put together and features some great stunts. In between their attempts to avoid being killed, the male leads take breaks to relax and romance female acquaintances. It’s a funny and at times ridiculous response to almost being murdered, but no one appears to be taking things very seriously early on. In the final act, we learn more about the two women and uncover what is really going on. It’s actually a neat and original twist that adds some excitement during the climax. In fact, it makes one wish the reveal had been introduced into the story earlier.
While the movie isn’t a classic and gets sidetracked by its lengthy romantic interludes, at least it is well-shot, fast-paced (running a zippy 80 minutes) and has some impressive action, including a great chase through the streets and an impressive finale set against a ticking clock. The flick certainly works as an efficient calling card for a low-budget filmmaker showing off his technical prowess and displays Mastorakis’ ability to invent and execute a neat little story twist… even if it isn’t maximized as well as it could have been.
As always, Arrow Video does a stunning job at upgrading the image quality for its Blu-ray debut. The image looks so clean that it’s actually quite stunning. This movie was clearly made on-the-cheap, but it looks so good that one really can appreciate the location photography and technical skill on display. Once again, the distributor should be credited with doing a stellar job at making it look better than it ever has before. I would even venture to guess that the movie has literally never looked this good, even when it premiered on the big screen.
The disc also includes several entertaining bonus features. The interview with Nico Mastorakis himself might be the most interesting. He describes his early days in TV and his desire to move into moviemaking. Searching for any source of financing, his only option was to approach an adult film producer. In order to satisfy his investor’s stipulations, he was required to add some gratuitous nudity into the feature (which explains the strange romantic asides, as well as the reason that the two leads inexplicably have a naked housemaid staying with them when they are first introduced). Mastorakis also talks about the difficulty in finding an English-speaking cast and convincing them to join his production. He tells a lot of interesting stories about the trials and dangers involving in making a movie for modest sum of money.
There’s also an interview with female lead Maria Alifera. She looks back fondly on the production, noting that she didn’t have a problem with the sketchy background of the financier, noting that while the movie had a lot of nakedness, no disrobing was required on her part for the gig. She enjoyed working with Mastorakis and the cast, describing it as a crazy and fast-paced shoot that was a lot of fun and ultimately helped her career.
Another interesting plus is that one can play the soundtrack to the film in the background and enjoy the score. Again, it seems as though the filmmaker convinced outside contacts from his days working in television to assist him on the feature. Some of the tracks really are excellent, introducing excitement into the proceedings while also having a distinct and unique sound. The “action theme” is particularly impressive and somehow manages to combine a quick tempo and jazz elements in a very effective manner. It’s all very enjoyable to listen to.
In the end, this is an eccentric debut feature that does its best to check off every exploitation film box in order to make itself appealing to international distributors. It isn’t a masterpiece, but does show plenty of skill and has a couple of interesting elements that do set it apart from other titles of its ilk. One wishes that the filmmaker had made more of the story’s major twist and telekinesis elements, but at least there is something original about it all when everything is revealed. And of course, the presentation from Arrow Video is exceptional, with the picture quality displaying just how well shot the feature is. If you’re a fan of Mastorakis or low-budget B-movies, then you’ll find this Blu-ray release to be a novel curiosity.