KOCH has recently launched a new line of foreign films, headlined by some of Europe's most beautiful and iconic actresses. Previously using a rather gaudy selection of cover art – often a cheesecake pose, grafted onto a leopard pattern – that had little to do with a film's content, the label has re-branded their line as “The Cinema Sirens Collection,” and designed the new cover sleeve and DVD art after Criterion's alluring graphic designs.

Among the recent spate of titles is “Girl With A Suitcase,” (La Ragazza Con La Valigia) and while the packaging may look good, the film transfer is just plain dreadful. Using a full screen English dub print, the transfer seems to have been taken from an old & dirty VHS master, with heavy digital filtration used to smoothen out an already grainy background. The mono soundtrack is adequate, and the film at least clocks in at the proper running time.

KOCH's new “Siren” wave may have broader distribution, but their print sources are very disappointing. For “Girl With A Suitcase,” Claudia Cardinale fans are better served with Ivy Video 's own release, which retains the film's gorgeous widescreen ratio, and original Italian language track.

© 2004 Mark R. Hasan