ITALY, GERMANY

1970 – DCP – colore – 96’

Direction: Dario Argento
Screenplay: Dario Argento
Cinematography: Vittorio Storaro
Editing: Franco Fraticelli
Set design: Dario Micheli
Music: Ennio Morricone
Costumes: Dario Micheli
Cast: Tony Musante, Suzy Kendall, Enrico Maria Salerno, Eva Renzi
Producer: Salvatore Argento
Production: Seda Spettacoli, Central Cinema Company Film

SYNOPSIS

Writer Sam Dalmas, who is in Italy trying to recover his inspiration, is the only witness to the attempted murder of a woman, Monica Ranieri, attacked in her art gallery by a mysterious figure wearing a raincoat and black gloves. Convinced that there is a mysterious detail he’s missing while trying to reconstruct the facts, Dalmas sets out to discover the identity of the killer. Police commissioner Morosini, who is on the case, has meanwhile linked the assault to the exploits of a serial killer who has already struck before in the area. The investigation proves to be a real journey into the unexpected for Dalmas, endangering his safety and that of his girlfriend Giulia. The solution of the mystery is perhaps linked to a sound produced by a rare bird species.

NOTA CRITICA

“Argento’s points of reference (are) Sergio Leone and Bernardo Bertolucci. Leone, because Argento has invented and founded a genre (and an Author), with a very skilful work of exploitation and transformation. Bertolucci (…) because it is from their style that Argento takes inspiration: empty spaces, metropolitan anguish, “abstract” editing (the planes in the ending), emphasis on gazes and a Blow-up-style cinematography. A cool, modern style, which has reinvented film grammar. And a key role is played by the music by Ennio Morricone, who (…), for a thriller, uses experimental and often difficult sounds.” (Alberto Pezzotta, Nocturno.it)

PREMI AWARDS
1970 Italian Golden Globes: Best First Film
1970 Calice d’Oro: Best New Director