Director – Javier Seto (Viva America!, Long Play)
Starring – Larry Ward (The Deathead Virgin, The Manhunter), Teresa Gimpera (The Tunnel, The Spirit of the Beehive), and Giacomo Rossi Stuart (The Last Man on Earth, War Between the Planets)
Release Date – 1969
Rating – 3/5
Blu Release – 3/5
Boutique labels like Mondo Macabro don’t get the credit they truly deserve. I’m a horror and exploitation collector but I don’t need every Evil Dead, Night of the Living Dead, and the Friday the 13th release that hits store shelves. I want movies that I’ve never seen before or has never mad it’s way to previous formats until now.
That’s why I always get excited for a new Mondo Macabro release. Sometime back MM released the 1969 crime thriller Shadow of Death which was originally released as Macabre. This was a new one to me and I couldn’t wait to dig into it. Like always, I want to thank Mondo Macabro for sending this one over my way.
**Spoiler Alert** The film follows a blonde trophy wife who has been having an affair with her husband’s twin. He’s a successful business man and the pair plan on brainwashing him until he is about to snap. However, a wrench is thrown into their plans when a professional blackmailer arrives and tries to secure himself a cut of the money resulting in paranoia and a web of lies. **Spoiler Alert**
I went into Shadow of Death knowing absolutely nothing about it aside from a few giallo junkies that I know mentioned how much they enjoy it. While I was a bit let down by how little the title and alternate title fit the film, I did have some fun with this one.
The acting in this one is a highlight of the film. Larry Ward as twins Peter and John along with Teresa Gimpera as the adulterous wife and Giacomo Rossi Stuart as the extortionist are absolutely brilliant together. Their characters make the film and their chemistry on screen were perfect. While I enjoyed the supporting cast as well, it’s these three that make the film as enjoyable as it is.
The story for this one is something I’ve seen several times from gothic horror films of the early to mid-60s. While it is nothing new, it does work as a giallo to some extent. With that being said, it’s not deserving of the titles Shadow of Death or Macabre. It’s a solid crime thriller that fits in nicely with the pulp crime stories that giallo’s got their name from.
Finally, the film is not a bloody one. It does have a bit of violence and a small bit of bloodshed but that’s about it. Those looking for a body count or a bloodbath will surely be disappointed. Overall, Shadow of Death is one of the milder giallo films I’ve reviewed over the years but it is very enjoyable. The Mondo Macabro release is a must own for movie collectors. Check it out
Special Features:
Original Spanish version, digitally restored from 35mm negative.
Interview with Ángel Sala, director of the Sitges International Film Festival.
Alternate scenes.
Original English trailer.
Spanish/English audio choice.
Newly translated English subtitles.
