Blu-ray Film Review | Radiance

Slap the Monster on Page One (1972) • Limited Edition Blu-ray [Radiance] — astute political thriller remains relevant

A right-wing newspaper attempts to manipulate the police investigation of the rape and murder of a young girl to help the candidates it supports in the upcoming elections.

As it was made over half a century ago, one might expect Marco Bellocchio’s penetrating political thriller Slap the Monster on Page One / Sbatti il mostro in prima pagina to have dated badly. It hasn’t.

Indeed, in light of recent events, its central theme of how mass media manipulates popular opinion to stoke societal divisions for political leverage has never been more pertinent. So, this new and beautiful restoration on Blu-ray from Radiance is a timely and welcome release, especially as the 4K scan was taken from the original negative under the supervision of director Marco Bellocchio.

Admittedly, the media has changed over the intervening 50 years. Slap the Monster on…