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Post by peteyt on Apr 26, 2020 5:08:08 GMT -5
So there's a bit of a background to this.
I used to use the site Disqus a lot, ran my own Disqus doctor who channel and was a regular poster in a horror one. I'd decided at some point I wanted to explore as many Giallo films as possible. Argento is probably my favourite director and while I loved his Giallo films apparent from a couple of others I'd not really seen any others. I decided to watch as many as possible and review each one. Please note I'm not really a professional reviewer or deep ha. Sadly Disqus closed its channels a while back but horror ventures moved to a new home and I decided to restart it fully. So far I have watched/reviewd blood and black lace, the house with the laughing windows and four flies on grey velvet.
So my wife got a new phone a few months ago and got something like 3 months free Amazon prime trial. I was surprised how many decent old horrors where on including many Italian Giallo films.
For my next Giallo I wanted one I'd never seen. The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh, sometimes also known as Blade of the ripper and a few other names is directed by Sergio Martino. I'd already reviewed another of his films on Disqus, Your Vice Is a Locked Room and Only I Have the Key, which actually takes its name from a note the lead receives in this film although the the films are separate films.
This film stars Edwige Fenech as the titles lead character, who seems to have a kind of fetish for blood and pain. It's not fully explained, but apparently it both disgusts and turns her on. This was interesting, as many Giallos have sexual undertones but this brings it right up to the surface although it doesn't really explore much of it in detail. Flashbacks show that Wardh was in an abusive relationship a while back with someone called Jean who now stalks her. However she has nightmares involving him that both seem to frighten and excite her. She married Neil, an ambassador, to escape him and have a stable life but then meets George at a party, a handsome and charming cousin of a friend. She falls for him because she feels safe with him but also finds him exciting. Her husband is often out due to his job so she is often left alone and bored and it seems her husband doesn't give her the excitement and attention she craves.
So the film basically has Wardh having to deal with her ex lover, husband and new lover while at the same time there is someone going around killing girls with razor blades. Things get complicated when it turns out someone has seen her with her new lover and blackmails her over the phone, seemingly putting a voice on. This makes her think it must be someone who she knows. Her friend tries to help but is killed, making her wonder if one of the 3 men in her life is actually a serial killer.
The film is a very well made and theres some good moments. There aren't actually many murders in the film and the way they are shot means you don't tend to see a lot. However I did enjoy the film as for the most part it keeps you guessing. Theres a great scene where Wardh goes back to the hotel she is staying in and the killer is waiting to ambush her in the hotel's indoor car park.
This is one of those giallo films that has quite a few twists and turns. The first one was kinda a nice surprise but once one comes in it makes you wonder.
I wouldn't call it my favourite but it's certainly an interesting thriller and it had me involved till the end. According to Wikipedia (so take this with a pinch of salt) the name of the lead was originally Ward but they had to change it when a women threatened to sue due to her fear it would damage her reputation. Seems a bit odd for just a name unless she was someone well known and even then it's odd but I've seen sillier legal actions
To add the trailer below is Italian but the version of the film I watched was dubbed
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Post by endo on Apr 26, 2020 14:07:01 GMT -5
Nice man, haven't even heard of this one. I'll have to check it out.
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Post by peteyt on Apr 27, 2020 16:50:42 GMT -5
Nice man, haven't even heard of this one. I'll have to check it out. I think the full film is on YouTube. Not sure if its the dubbed or subtitled version though
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