Elio Petri's The 10th Victim isn't really a spy movie, but it does exude the same awesome Sixties spy style that characterized Modesty Blaise, Danger: Diabolik, Casino Royale, The Prisoner and later seasons of The Avengers. Which is to say, it's awesome. If you like Sixties spies, you will like The 10th Victim. It even stars the first Bond Girl, the luscious Ursula Andress, as a sexy assassin with ballistic bosoms. Yes, her character here was the inspiration for the fembots in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery. The sharp, satirical plot of the movie is more The Running Man than Goldfinger, but The 10th Victim isn't really about plot as much as it is about style. And what style! The movie boasts all the fashions and set design that we like to believe characterized the decade, but in fact were probably as removed from day-to-day living as runway looks are today. But I don't want the real Sixties. I want this Sixties! And now I can live it in high-definition for the first time, as Blue Underground have released the film on Blu-ray this week! Special features (some previously included on the DVD, some new to this release) include a 2006 feature-length documentary about star Marcello Mastroianni entitled Marcello: A Sweet Life, the US trailer, the Italian trailer, a Mastroianni still gallery and, perhaps most excitingly of all, a poster and still gallery featuring images from the collection of fellow COBRAS blogger Jason Whiton, curator of the essential Sixties spy lifestyle blog Spy Vibe! Jason is even running a contest right now to win this Blu-ray. Head on over and enter to win. Otherwise, retail will set you back $29.98, though of course the disc is cheaper on Amazon and other online retailers.
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