A sister company of Shameless, Cult Films is preparing to release two Tinto Brass classics on Blu-ray. First up is Miranda (1985), Tinto’s iconic vehicle for famed Italian diva Serena Grandi. One of Tinto’s personal favorites, Miranda was the film he needed to deliver after The Key (1983). Containing an archival interview with Brass, Miranda’s new Blu-ray edition marks the first time it has been available in HD stateside and the UK.
Order this all-region release now from MVD or directly from Cult Films.
The Key revitalized Tinto Brass’ film career, making him a major icon in his own way. Realizing making another historical-based drama around a voluptuous female figure might certainly pigeonhole him, he didn’t care, and he dove into Miranda. Written by Brass, the film is less plot-driven than The Key. Miranda is a more a series of moments, all connected together by the lonely but sensual (possible) widow at a local inn.
By the mid-eighties, Brass is dominating his films. By that I mean, his stamp is so strong that they have morphed into something uniquely, well, uniquely Tinto Brass. For Miranda, he not only writes and directs, but he also edits the film. There’s a lot of Tinto Brass in Miranda, just as there would be in all of the films after, as their creator became as recognizable as his work.
Watched again decades later, Miranda feels very much like a looser companion piece to The Key. Kind of like a younger wild sister. Not surprisingly, Silvano Ippoliti is once again on hand for the film’s cinematography. He’d work with Brass a lot throughout his career. He’s joined here by fellow cinematographer Erico Menczer, creating one of the softest-looking films of the period. This has caused issues on home video, which I will get to momentarily.
Filled with Riz Ortolani’s music, lots of dancing and lots of playful nudity and sex, Miranda has everything one might hope a Tinto Brass will contain. It is almost too on the nose, ultimately becoming one of Brass’ safest productions. He essentially was looking to continue this new ass-centric chapter of his career, and Miranda very much did that for him.
True to its title, Miranda is a film obsessed by its title-character, much like the ensemble surrounding her. Brass originally had in mind to work again with the genius star of The Key, Stefania Sandrelli, but Miranda’s budget did not allow for it. Instead, he goes with the powerful Serena Grandi, 27 and poised for the stardom the film launched her into. Grandi had been around since the late seventies and was already a very recognizable presence, but no director ever believed in her like Brass, and she makes the most of it, delivering a wonderfully earthy and vibrantly sexual performance for the maestro.
Grandi dominates Miranda nearly as much as Tinto Brass, so much so that the rest of the cast mostly blends together. Miranda isn’t as ambitious as Brass’ best films, and he’s abandoned his early anarchic tendencies for this as well. Still, Miranda is both startling and delightful, a historical fantasy set in the Italy of its creators’ mind. Miranda doesn’t have the weight of Tinto Brass absolute finest films, such as the other title Cult Films is getting ready to release, but it is still a minor classic and a must-have for erotic film lovers.
Miranda was originally available here in the States from Cult Epics, on DVD back in 2012. There have been some sporadic European DVD and Blu-ray releases, but unlike other Brass classics, Miranda has slipped a bit under the radar. Part of the reason is perhaps that the extreme softness with which Miranda is photographed has always hindered it on home video. Screened theatrically, I bet a sparkling film print of this would be astonishing, but it has always looked a bit dingy on home video, at least the versions I have seen.
The good news is that Cult Films’ Blu-ray of Miranda offers up the best way to view the film at home I’ve seen so far. Bad news is that this Cult Films release still has kind of a dull look about it. Certain sections look quite exceptional, whereas other moments just look like they are behind a filter. Trust me, fans of this film should get this release as it is an improvement over the older releases, but this sadly has not been given the striking new 4K restoration it deserves. Perhaps the elements to do that are lost. I’m not sure, but for now this Cult Films Blu-ray is the best we have, and it’ll more than do.
Packaged with an attractive slipcover, a reversible sleeve and some promotional material, Miranda on Blu-ray is very welcome. Completely uncut, with both English and Italian audio options, this Cult Films Blu-ray isn’t a knock-out of the park, but it still offers up an opportunity to own an HD print of one of the Maestro’s own personal favorites.
Of course, a must-buy.
-Jeremy Richey, October 2026-
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