The Giallo Thread

[Nosferatu@Cult Labs]

Who Saw Her Die? (1972) – Shameless DVD

A prologue shows a young redhead girl playing in the snow with her nanny, before sledging off through the woods where she is beaten to death by a figure dressed entirely in black, even down to the veil. The film then moves from France to Venice where Franco (George Lazenby) is working as a sculptor and taking care of his young redheaded daughter, Roberta. A series of shots show a veiled figure stalking Roberta and one day she goes missing from the schoolyard. Franco’s search is fruitless and his wife Elizabeth flies in from France to help out but it’s too late as Roberta’s body is found face down in a canal.

Franco embarks on a search for the murderer, who may have had something to do with the killing in France, but as the body count rises, he and his wife are increasingly in danger.

Who Saw Her Die? )Chi l'ha vista morire?) was made in 1971, released a year later and is perhaps most notable for the striking similarities it bears to Nicolas Roeg’s Don’t Look Now (1973); there is no evidence of Aldo Lado adapting Daphne Du Maurier’s short story, nor Roeg being influenced by this so it is an incredible coincidence. As with most of their releases, this is gaining its first UK DVD release of the title thanks to Shameless Screen Entertainment.

The Italian giallo films of the 1970s include some of the most innovative and enduring movies of the genre as well as some trash – this is one of the former, predating Don’t Look Now and still a film worth watching now. It has all the hallmarks of giallo: bloody murders, sex, nudity and a mysterious killer with a trademark dress.

Who Saw Her Die? is quite restrained (for a giallo) at times, with Aldo Lado content to let the cinematography and score keep the audience on edge, rather than rely on shocking murder scenes. This is not to say it is bloodless – it’s not, and there’s a couple of sex scenes that, although not as intense or memorable as that in Roeg’s masterpiece, are very well done and add much to Franco’s character. George Lazenby is on fine form, boasting a splendid moustache that looks very odd if you think of him as James Bond, whom he played three years earlier in his film debut. Lazenby’s career is very odd – he played Bond in what I consider the best film in the franchise despite him being the worst 007 but then appeared in a variety of projects from foreign horror movies to Jor-El in the television series Superboy and then in seven Emmanuelle films!

The Picture
A decent picture with wonderfully atmospheric use of the Venetian architecture and canal system with extremely moody and oppressive cinematography by Franco Di Giacomo.

The Sound
Presented in Dolby Digital 2.0 mono, the dialogue is clear (as it should be as it is dubbed) but the highlight is Ennio Morricone’s haunting score that really cranks up the tension at times and provides a general feel of unease.

Extra Features
As well as the Theatrical Trailer there is the trailer reel that starts up when you load the disc and can be skipped through or can be watched from the menu. This comprises:
• The Designated Victim
• Strip Nude For Your Killer
• Oasis of Fear
• Night Train Murders
• What Have They Done To Your Daughters?
• The Black Cat

Final Thoughts
With a compelling story, a marvellous score and some really tense set pieces, Who Saw Her Die? Is a remarkably accomplished and extremely enjoyable giallo as, whilst not up there with the best of Argento or Bava's work, is still a remarkably good movie that will stand up to repeated viewing.

This must rank alongside On Her Majesty's Secret Service as the best film George Lazenby made as it is an engrossing and very well made picture which is well worth the money of any horror fan, particularly if you are interested in giallo movies.

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

What a fine write up, Nos.

We clearly saw similar things in the film.

Think it'll be another giallo this evening.

[Nosferatu@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Demdike@Cult Labs

What a fine write up, Nos.

We clearly saw similar things in the film.

Think it'll be another giallo this evening.

I wrote that about nine years ago and would be surprised if I've seen the film in the last six or so years. Like I said, it's long overdue a rewatch.

[bizarre_eye@Cult Labs]

[Cinematic Shocks]

The Perfume of the Lady in Black sure is one strange giallo, but it's one I really like.

[bizarre_eye@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Cinematic Shocks

The Perfume of the Lady in Black sure is one strange giallo, but it's one I really like.

It's one of my favourites too.

I should have the Blu-ray in my possession soon...

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Francesca (2015)

Yes i did type that correctly - 2015. Because Francesca is quite obviously an early 70's giallo. The music, the story, the way it's filmed and comes over on screen... Except yes, it was made just a couple of years ago but at no point from start to end would you ever guess so.

The viewer is drawn in immediately, the film is about a series of murders that may have some connection with the disappearance 15 years earlier of a young girl named Francesca. Director Luciano Onetti delivers all the typical giallo traits - the gloved killer, innovative murders, a couple of detectives on the case, copious amounts of J&B porn, yet also delivers his own stylish flourishes. Witness some of the outrageous camera angles and a hell of a way to film the simple delight of a drinking a glass of Scotch. The film is full of striking musical motifs, rich colours and references to The Divine Comedy, as well as traits the killer leaves behind on the victims for the police to find.In short it's a quite stunning audio visual delight.

Francesca isn't a love letter to the giallo genre like say, Amer. Francesca is a giallo. It's the real deal and i can't give it any more praise than that.

Make sure you stick around after the end credits roll for a disturbing delight.

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

[mr 420]

Watching Arrow's superb Deep Red for the umpteenth time makes me realise that not only does it stand head and shoulders above its brethren, it is also one of the greatest peices of cinema ever to grace celluloid. 11 out of 10.

[Rik]

Originally Posted by mr 420

Watching Arrow's superb Deep Red for the umpteenth time makes me realise that not only does it stand head and shoulders above its brethren, it is also one of the greatest peices of cinema ever to grace celluloid. 11 out of 10.

That and Suspiria are my favourite Argento films, with Deep Red being my favourite Giallo