Well, I’ve discussed a number of Salvi films in the my post about Bella Cortez on DVD, so for information about Vulcan Son of Jupiter and Sinbad and the Seven Saracens… best to check there.
Beyond these, though, a few of his other works have made it onto DVD.
Three Bullets for Ringo
Well, this is probably the best DVD release of any of the films made by Salvi or starring Bella Cortez. From Spaghetti Western specialists WildEast, it’s not a perfect release. To quote from the Spaghetti Western Database:
The audio is very noisy with lots of crackling, lack of tone and other proof of old age. Same with the picture, which is presented in anamorphic widescreen, yet looks very dark, even in the scenes that take place during daylight (which are only a few). The picture at times looks very faded and overall lacks sharpness. Although the warm tone is certainly intended by a director who used to make sword and sandals movies, the movie would surely make a whole different impression with a cleaner, restored, crisper and richer picture.
However, having said that, it’s still a far better version that I’ve ever seen elsewhere, and for such a previously obscure item it will do very nicely indeed… so hats off to the chaps at WildEast. Compared to the rubbish put out by Alfa, this is a prestige release, and at just over a tenner it stands as a good investment.
This has also come out in Italy as Lo chiamavano ora pro nobis, but I can’t vouch for the quality, I’m afraid, and whether it’s any better than the WildEast print is something for someone else to answer.
David and Goliath
Well, this Salvi-produced epic is another to have had a cheapjack Alfa release in the US, and – shock and horror – the quality is apparently pretty dire. To quote from a reviewer on Amazon:
The copy is bad and scratchy, so it looks like the old reel-to-reels I used to watch in kindergarten.
And if that’s not enough, the sound quality is supposed to be rubbish as well.
Goliath and the Barbarians
Another Salvi production, this one has come out on Warner Hopme Video in what appears to be a Spanish release… although it comes complete with English subtitles, which is a nice plus! According to Michael Den Boer on 10,000 Bullets:
Goliath and the Barbarians, is presented in an non-anamorphic widescreen that preserves the films original 2.35:1 aspect ratio. Colors and details look strong through out. Some of the darker scenes are no as sharp as the daylight scenes. Overall the source material used for this transfer is in great shape and print damage is virtually non-existent.
This release comes with two audio options English and Spanish. Both audio mixes are presented in a Dolby Digital mono. Overall both audio mixes may not wow you; still they are more then adequate. Also no subtitles options have been included with this release.
Extras for this release include cast & crew lists and trailers for The Last Days of Pompeii & Ursus. Other extras include a photo gallery with six stills and liner notes about Goliath and the Barbarians in Spanish.
Unfortunately, although this seems like a pretty decent release, it also has a price tag to match; copies are changing hands on Ebay for about £25.