I`m a fan of these kind of films (Italian thrillers) and have liked everyone I`ve seen (Bird With Crystal Plumage, Dont` Torture A Duckling, Tenebre, Deep Red). Can anyone tell me how this one rates compared to the aforementioned films? If I can only afford to get this or New York Ripper (another one I havent seen) which would you suggest?
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This is a classic of the giallo genre. I own about 120 of these movies and I'd put this one in the top 10 (maybe even the top 5). The director Sergio Martino has never made a bad giallo. (Also check out "All the Colors of Darkness" and "Your Vice is a Locked Room" with Edwige Fenech or "Suspicious Death of a Minor" with Jenny Tamburi). "The New York Ripper" on the other hand is a vile piece of crap which I certainly wouldn't waste money buying (you can rent that one easy enough).
Exterminate the Brutes!
It's funny you should mention Torso and The New York Ripper in the same post, because i think both films are very similar, especially in overall tone and feel.
Both movies are 'filthy' and have a very dark, sinister atmosphere throughout, moreso than many other gialli I've seen. Blatant sexual deviancy and a strong hatred of women plays a major role in both films. The New York Ripper emerges as the 'sicker' of the two, but Torso is pretty rough for an early '70s movie.
Personally I'm more a fan of The New York Ripper because it's so extreme and profound [ Few films reflect the human condition in such a brutal way ], but Torso is also essential viewing. Save more ca$h and buy them both!!! =D
"Cain and Abel will go to Heaven... if they can make it through Hell!" -Los Hijos Del Topo
I would agree with Lazarillo, this is one that have watched several times & often use it as an example to try & explain what I mean by slasher flicks to people who aren't familliar with the genre (mostly as a resut of my rant about how much I hate thw Saw films & the torture porn type of horror/slasher that's around these days.) as the tone of it & the violence is so brilliantly done.
shareI've seen all the films you've mentioned. I agree with the other poster who said this would be in the top 5 of giallos as far as those I've seen. I have to give it another viewing to tie up some loose ends I was left with. This was a superb movie well made with great production values for it's time. Of course I consider Deep Red the ultimate giallo. This one is up there with "...Duckling", "Tenebrae". I also have to agree that "New York Ripper" is pretty trashy and vile. I found it unpleasant and wanted a shower after I saw it.
shareI rate this giallo highly but the copy I have is from Xrated cult dvd and the print is just ok and the sound is fairly bad. Because it's a German dvd there are German subs. I hope the uncut print gets restored by an American company with English subs and 5.1 sound.
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Torso is really solid as a giallo and even holds it's own with Bird with the Crystal plumage and 5 doll for an August moon.
Some people never go crazy. What truly horrible lives they must lead
I think it was enjoyable for a giallo movie. I liked it and I found that it was pretty tame in comparison with some others. It deserves credit for being among the first batch of slashers and it is one that I wouldn't mind watching again.
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I don't think this giallo is as stylish as most others I've seen and the denoument was silly. There were some good ideas and stylistic features but it's average as giallos go.
The distance is nothing. The first step is the hardest.share
Doesn't hold a candle to Argento's best work. But I'd say Torso is a fine giallo though, 8 out of 10 in my book. Slightly better than The New York Ripper, which I gave a 7.
But both Lucio Fulci (Don't Torture a Duckling) and Sergio Martino (Your Vize is a Locked Room and Only I Have the Key) have made better gialli.
"What If" is a game for scholars.
Timothy Dalton, The Lion in Winter (1968)