If there ever were such a thing as too much breasts, it'd be this...or Donkeylips. Pretty standard giallo with a fairly laughable ending that beats the soccer in heaven scene from 'Don't Torture A Duckling'....They're DOLLS! That's all you need to know. I'd still recommend this just because it wasn't SO bad and the red herrings actually make you question who it is...between two people..still counts!
An under-rated Italian giallo thriller. The gore effects are not too convincing at all, apart from this there are a few atmospheric scenes, tense moments and good photography and script. There are some elements from the giallo (specially the third part of this movie) format that the slasher genre has yet to pick up. Fans of this genre (like me) will appreciate this film.
To be perfectly honest, I don't tend to care for many Giallo films as I find them to be so boring, but this one managed to be pretty darned entertaining. I suppose add a half star if you are into chicks for this is full of gorgeous women who are more than happy to gratuitously show off their titties. While that didn't do much for me it was the last twenty minutes that paid off big time. Oddly this film is mainly in English but parts are in Italian, some versions have the Italian dubbed and some don't. Mine did fortunately because I think it's necessary to pick up on what exactly is going on.
The story starts out with a necktie killer (red on black) who strangles his ladies, then brings them back to dismember them. It's practically goreless for the first 3/4 of the movie and I began to wonder if there really would be any pay off since it was done pretty cheesily but fortunately there is. After some attractive ladies get bumped off one invites three girls over to her place to hide out for the weekend. The killer of course catches wind of this and the payoff begins.
It's actually kind of creepy and suspenseful in places, see one of the girls had a twisted ankle and managed to escape being caught by the murderer...but will she stay hidden? You have to see to find out, but I'd definitely recommend checking it out. It's a bit of a surprise yet it satisfies despite sort of a slow take off. It may not be the easiest film to come by (I think it's out of print) but if you do get the chance it's worth it.
I desperately continue to seek for giallo films that compare to "Deep Red." Unfortunately, they never seem to measure up. "Torso" is no different. Although it is original enough to keep you watching, it owes so much to Argento it's funny (and overtly noticeable), except the ski mask. This is an example of atmosphere, sex, and style over story; sometimes it works, and sometimes you know the outcome miles before it happens.
Following the murder of several classmates by a frenzied sex-killer, a group of female students retire to an isolated villa until police have apprehended a viable suspect. But the maniac is wise to their deception, and he/she follows them...
This is a soild but not great giallo-thriller Despite bland performances from an unremarkable cast - including Euro stalwarts Suzy Kendall (THE BIRD WITH THE CRYSTAL PLUMAGE), John Richardson (THE MASK OF Satan) and Luc Merenda (COSĖ SIA) - and some pretty obvious red herrings amongst the supporting players, TORSO is augmented by a number of beautifully crafted set-pieces - most notably the stalking of a young woman (Cristina Airoldi) - through desolate marshland by the masked maniac.
The second half of the movie, during which Kendall becomes enmeshed in a nightmarish situation at a remote but picturesque country villa, is staged with cat-and-mouse efficiency by director Sergio Martino at his most inspired. Spiced with audience-pleasing elements of sex and violence which tested the limits of censorship in 1973, TORSO is a minor gem.
Average slasher, the end scene was golden though Haute Tension took the scene and made it far more effective. Definitely a film that could have benefited from more gore, however for the time this must have been quite a strong film.
a video store (that holds a special place in my heart) when I was growing up had this and I never got around to it (like oh so many titles) and I feel compelled to see it (among many others that have slipped through the cracks) now. Different cover than the one on display here
This is a great giallo in my opinion. One of the first I saw when I started getting into these films, and one of the more exploitive I'd say. Some gorgeous babes, weird killings, and a groovy score. Martino is one of the better director's from this period and TORSO is a tad more vicious in it's approach than some of his others. RECOMMENDED!
MCT:August 2, 2008
MCT:May 4, 2008
MCT:April 29, 2008
MCT:January 12, 2008
MCT:December 3, 2007
MCT:September 20, 2007
MCT:May 29, 2006
MCT:May 29, 2006
