Blu Release – 4/5
Trauma
Director – Leon Klimovsky (The Vampires Night Orgy, The Dracula Saga)
Starring – Agata Lys (Taxi, EuroCops), Heinrich Starhemberg (Tales from the Vienna Woods, Dr. Jekyll vs. The Werewolf), and Ricardo Merino (Ring’s of Fear, Children’s War)
Release Date – 1978
Rating – 3/5
When I was first getting into horror, almost 20 years ago now, I found myself not really digging giallos. They were too slow and boring for my tastes at the time. However, over the years I’ve found myself starting to appreciate them and the atmosphere that they were able to create. I’ve been collecting the ones I can from some of the other boutique labels like Mondo Macabro and Vinegar Syndrome.
At the beginning of the year Vin Syn released their Forgotten Gialli Volume 1 set. I really wanted that one for my collection so I bought it. Because I bought it I decided to review it at a later point and forgot and when I received Volume 2 I decided to hurry up and review Volume 1 before I dug into it. The first one in the set was 1978’s Trauma.
**Spoiler Alert** The film follows a writer who books a room in a bed and breakfast owned by a young bride. She tells him that her husband is disabled that lives in one of the upstairs rooms. However, he suspects something else is at play when others check in and is never seen leaving. **Spoiler Alert**
When I was younger I had seen a few giallo flicks that I didn’t care for so I swore them off for a few years. However, when I started writing for Horror Society I was sent a few for review and found myself really enjoying them. I have no idea why I was not a fan of the others during my youth but I really enjoy them now. Trauma was a fun watch and really summed up what I like about giallos.
The acting in this one was pretty good. Lys really stole my heart. Not only was she beautiful but her character was almost a dual performance. This beauty is very talented in front of the screen and I’m shocked this is the first time I’ve seen her. As beautiful and talented as she is I would imagine she would have found her way into other Spanish genre films. The supporting cast is just as good and the characters fit the story very, very well.
The story for this one is a giallo approach to Hitchcock’s classic Psycho. this approach really works for the story and the changes still remind viewers that its inspired by Psycho without feeling like a blatant rip off. The mystery aspect that makes giallos so much fun works and it’s not that predictable. There was a few times where I was convinced of who the killer was before the reveal…I was wrong. A giallo that is not predictable is a home run in my book.
Finally, this is not a gore soaked Italian horror film that most of you are looking for. Instead, this Spanish giallo has some blood with minimal effects. The deaths in this one are not the best but it works for the film. Overall, Trauma is a sleazy Spanish giallo that has some nudity, some blood, and a solid mystery. I really enjoyed it and fans of giallo will as well. Check it out.
The Police are Blundering in the Dark
Director – Helia Colombo
Starring – Joseph Arkim, Francisco Cortez, and Richard Fielding
Release Date – 1975
Rating – 3/5
I spent my New Year day binging some horror movies. With my recent Vinegar Syndrome package hitting my door steps recently I decided it was time to finally check out the Forgotten Gialli Volume 1 set that they released several months ago but before I get into Volume 2 I decided to spin the first one. Trauma was a strong start to this one and the next one I pulled out was 1975’s The Police are Blundering in the Dark.
**Spoiler Alert** The film follows a disabled photographer who finds himself in the middle of a murder spree when beautiful young models go missing. A journalist is investigating the murders and the disappearance of a female friend which sends him into the home of the photographer. **Spoiler Alert**
Most of the giallos that I truly enjoy are not listed as horror. In fact, most of the traditional gialli, or giallo, tend to be murder mysteries that flirt with drama. Sure, murder is the premise for all gialli but most of the film would not be considered horror. Trauma was more of a horror tale while The Police are Blundering in the Dark was more of a murder mystery. The story did not really flow like a typical horror tale but it did work as a gialli.
The acting in this one was solid but I found myself laughing on occasion as the cast’s mannerisms. Some of the more serious scenes are very underwhelming due to how the cast acts. The unintentional humor does make the story miss it’s mark at times. With that being said, some of the characters were very well done aside from the few “blundering” moments. The story for this one is a true murder mystery but with the gialli style. We get some beautiful shots with very effective lighting, the killer’s point of view, and plenty of suspense and atmosphere. The way the story unfolds here it really works and the killer is not that predictable. I thought I had a good guess as to who it was but I was wrong.
Finally, if you are expecting a bloody mess of a film you will be disappointed. Like most giallo from the mid-70s we get several slasher like kills with sharp instruments but the practical effects are very limited. The deaths work for the film but they are rather unforgettable. Overall, The Police are Blundering in the Dark is a solid giallo by numbers murder mystery. It’s visually pleasing but there is a few moments where you catch yourself gigling at the performances. It’s definately worth a shot so check it out.
The Killer is One of 13
Director – Javier Aguirre (Count Dracula’s Great Love, Children’s War)
Starring – Patty Shepard (Rest in Pieces, Edge of the Axe), Simon Andreu (Prince of Shadows, Fist Fighter), and Jose Maria Prada (Hotel Fear, The Hunt)
Release Date – 1973
Rating – 3.5/5
My New Year viewing has been amazing so far after I decided to check out Volume 1 of Vinegar Syndrome’s Forgotten Gialli. Trauma was a great start to the set and The Police are Blundering in the Dark was a great follow up. I figured one of the three films would be a dud so I expected this last film to be that but I was wrong. In fact, The Killer is One of 13 was easily my favorite in this release. The movie was not a horror flick in the traditional sense but was still a phenomenal watch.
**Spoiler Alert** The film follows a wealthy widow who has invited 12 others to her mansion two years after her husband mysteriously crashed his plan. She suspects that he was murdered and one of the 12 people dining with her this evening is the one responsible. **Spoiler Alert**
I went into this one thinking it was going to be the stinker of the set and was really fucking impressed by this one. The Clue like storyline really pulled me in while the atmosphere and suspense created the perfect giallo environment for me. I absolutely loved almost everything with this one. I loved it so much that I plan I digging into it again in a few days. A day later I’m still daydreaming about it.
The acting in this one is great. The characters are all embellished and eccentric which is typical for most giallo. The cast does a great job at bringing out so much personality in these characters and making each and every scene enjoyable. We also get a small role from genre favorite Paul Naschy. I was expecting to see much more of him but having him in the film at all was a surprise. The story for this one plays out like a game of Clue which is how the television show (released years later) plays out. A house full of suspects but only one killer. It really plays on the murder mystery aspect and it works. Just when you think the killer is one person you see them die. It’s absolutely brilliant and methodical. Some of the scenes are rather slow paced but if you still with it you will enjoy it.
Finally, the film has several bloody kills but if you want the gore you will be disappointed. The kills are pretty bloody but the practical effects are non-existent. The kills, like most gialli, works for the film but are nothing that memorable. Overall, The Killer is One of 13 is an absolutely brilliant murder mystery with beautiful cinematography and an amazing cast. The brilliant lighting and clever camera angles are absent but the film still speaks for itself. I highly recommend checking this one out. You will not be disappointed.
