Best Giallos on DVD?

10-31-2004, 04:06 PM

I have been buying a lot of giallos recently, mostly just based on plot summaries. However, after being disappointed by two of my last acquisitions, I figured I'd better ask for opinions before buying some more. I tend to prefer giallos like DEEP RED, DON'T TORTURE A DUCKLING, and WHO SAW HER DIE?, which have climaxes that, in my opinion, end with a bang. Needless to say, I don't think that THE BLOOD-STAINED SHADOW and the much hyped WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO SOLANGE? delivered in that department. I found the endings on both films very anticlimatic and a letdown considering the great build-ups. This leads to my question. I'm planning on buying ALL THE COLORS OF THE DARK and MY DEAR KILLER soon. Given my preferences, can you recommend either/both of them? Also, of the other giallos out there (both released and soon to be released on DVD), which ones do you recommend? Thanks in advance.

dwatts · 10-31-2004, 04:32 PM

Well, to me, "All Colors of the Dark" is stretching the term "Giallo". It's closer in tone to "Rosemary's Baby" really. Don't get me wrong, I enjyed it immensely, but it's "different".

I have "My Dear Killer", but have not gotten around to watching it yet.

Mind you, you might want to take into consideration that I think "Solange" is a brilliant film.

10-31-2004, 05:03 PM

MY DEAR KILLER is a pretty routine affair, with only a few good kill scenes but no amazing pay off. You may enjoy HOUSE WITH THE LAUGHING WINDOWS, which definitely builds up to an exciting climax, but the movie leaves me cold. I'd suggest checking out SPASMO, SHORT NIGHT OF GLASS DOLLS, and possibly SEVEN BLOOD-STAINED ORCHIDS. A search through this forum should turn up a few threads with info on each.

10-31-2004, 05:20 PM

You've probably already seen Tenebre but if not, I would recommend that one.
I remember Torso being pretty good and Solange, I wouldn't call it brilliant, but it's above average for a giallo. There's really only been a handful of giallos I actually enjoyed. Most can be so tedious.

10-31-2004, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwatts

Mind you, you might want to take into consideration that I think "Solange" is a brilliant film.

I actually watched it again this morning and liked it much better the second time around. I guess I was initially disappointed by its more dramatic, as opposed to action-packed, climax, but it's definitely growing on me. Pretty soon I will be recommending it.

10-31-2004, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew

You may enjoy HOUSE WITH THE LAUGHING WINDOWS, which definitely builds up to an exciting climax, but the movie leaves me cold. I'd suggest checking out SPASMO, SHORT NIGHT OF GLASS DOLLS, and possibly SEVEN BLOOD-STAINED ORCHIDS.

I recently saw SEVEN BLOOD-STAINED ORCHIDS and yes, I did enjoy it. It has some pretty neat offings (the power drill scene is a handful) and a decent climax, plus you can't go wrong with that catchy Riz Ortolani theme music. All the others are on my to-see list, specially HOUSE WITH THE LAUGHING WINDOWS.

Anthropophagus · 10-31-2004, 05:58 PM

I thought Torso was brilliant, I would recommend that one for sure. The DVD looked pretty good too as I can remember.

10-31-2004, 06:05 PM

Tenebre, which is my favorite Argento. And I'm a huge fan of
Cat O' Nine Tails
Short Night of Glass Dolls is another favorite of mine.

10-31-2004, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anthropophagus

I thought Torso was brilliant, I would recommend that one for sure. The DVD looked pretty good too as I can remember.

I would have to see TORSO again. I saw it when Anchor Bay first released it on DVD and at the time, having just seen Deep Red, I found Torso less stylish and cheesy in comparison. Has anyone seen SUSPICIOUS DEATH OF A MINOR, also by Sergio Martino? It's supposed to be in the DON'T TORTURE A DUCKLING/WHO SAW HER DIE? vein and real good.

Jason25 · 10-31-2004, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Surge92

I would have to see Torso again. I first saw it when Anchor Bay first released it on DVD and at the time, having just seen Deep Red, I found Torso less stylish and cheesy in comparison. Has anyone seen Suspicious Murder of a Minor, also by Sergio Martino? It's supposed to be in the Don't Torture A Duckling/Who Saw Her Die? vein and real good.

Sergio Balcazar, Jr.

Suspected Death Of A Minor is a fantastic film. Great score and the acting is impressive. It took me some time to track down a nice copy but it was well worth the search.

Highly Recommended.

11-01-2004, 06:46 AM

suspira was a bomb i seen it way back in the early 80's but i was young and it scared me, now i watched it last night and now it was a sleeper

The Chaostar · 11-01-2004, 02:05 PM

Suspiria is NOT a giallo, regardless of what you think of the film.

wago70 · 11-01-2004, 09:51 PM

A *sleeper* in the cinematic true sense is a good thing. For example: THE GRUDGE was a hit. SHAUN OF THE DEAD is a sleeper - making money, finding its audience while the mainstream is unaware of (or sleeping through) its popularity.

speanroc · 11-01-2004, 10:14 PM

i find giallos need mutiple viewings to grasp the whole viewing experience, i always catch something new the second time i view them, and if u need some recommendations i would start with the master BLOOD AND BLACK LACE ,and also give THE SECRET KILLER(eyeball, wide eyed in the dark) a view, both outstanding giallos IMO.......

dwatts · 11-02-2004, 02:18 AM

I can't explain why i never mentioned Tenebrae earlier. I just tend to lump it in the "Argento" pile and forget it's a giallo. Definately, that's the one to go for.

Suspiria, that's great, but as Chaoster says, it ain't even close to being a giallo.

10-31-2004, 04:06 PM	#1
Surge92 Guest Posts: n/a	Best Giallos on DVD? I have been buying a lot of giallos recently, mostly just based on plot summaries. However, after being disappointed by two of my last acquisitions, I figured I'd better ask for opinions before buying some more. I tend to prefer giallos like DEEP RED, DON'T TORTURE A DUCKLING, and WHO SAW HER DIE?, which have climaxes that, in my opinion, end with a bang. Needless to say, I don't think that THE BLOOD-STAINED SHADOW and the much hyped WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO SOLANGE? delivered in that department. I found the endings on both films very anticlimatic and a letdown considering the great build-ups. This leads to my question. I'm planning on buying ALL THE COLORS OF THE DARK and MY DEAR KILLER soon. Given my preferences, can you recommend either/both of them? Also, of the other giallos out there (both released and soon to be released on DVD), which ones do you recommend? Thanks in advance. Last edited by Surge92; 03-26-2006 at 01:30 PM.

11-01-2004, 02:05 PM	#12
The Chaostar Johnny Hallyday forever Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Hell-as Posts: 4,257	Suspiria is NOT a giallo, regardless of what you think of the film. __________________ "Only on Horrordvds.com could a well intentioned get well thread turn into an infomercial about the propensity for testicular perspiration". There Is No Freedom, Wake Up.

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10-31-2004, 04:32 PM	#2
dwatts HackMaster Join Date: May 2002 Location: Crashed Posts: 16,580	Well, to me, "All Colors of the Dark" is stretching the term "Giallo". It's closer in tone to "Rosemary's Baby" really. Don't get me wrong, I enjyed it immensely, but it's "different". I have "My Dear Killer", but have not gotten around to watching it yet. Mind you, you might want to take into consideration that I think "Solange" is a brilliant film.

10-31-2004, 05:03 PM	#3
Andrew Guest Posts: n/a	MY DEAR KILLER is a pretty routine affair, with only a few good kill scenes but no amazing pay off. You may enjoy HOUSE WITH THE LAUGHING WINDOWS, which definitely builds up to an exciting climax, but the movie leaves me cold. I'd suggest checking out SPASMO, SHORT NIGHT OF GLASS DOLLS, and possibly SEVEN BLOOD-STAINED ORCHIDS. A search through this forum should turn up a few threads with info on each.

10-31-2004, 05:20 PM	#4
Atmims Guest Posts: n/a	You've probably already seen Tenebre but if not, I would recommend that one. I remember Torso being pretty good and Solange, I wouldn't call it brilliant, but it's above average for a giallo. There's really only been a handful of giallos I actually enjoyed. Most can be so tedious.

10-31-2004, 05:58 PM	#7
Anthropophagus Anthrosnuphalufugus Dad Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 3,224	I thought Torso was brilliant, I would recommend that one for sure. The DVD looked pretty good too as I can remember.

10-31-2004, 06:05 PM	#8
Morg Guest Posts: n/a	Tenebre, which is my favorite Argento. And I'm a huge fan of Cat O' Nine Tails Short Night of Glass Dolls is another favorite of mine.

11-01-2004, 06:46 AM	#11
zombiexfan Guest Posts: n/a	suspira was a bomb i seen it way back in the early 80's but i was young and it scared me, now i watched it last night and now it was a sleeper

11-01-2004, 09:51 PM	#13
wago70 Robinson Crusoe on Mars Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: San Francisco - down by them two ol' sheds Posts: 2,979	A sleeper in the cinematic true sense is a good thing. For example: THE GRUDGE was a hit. SHAUN OF THE DEAD is a sleeper - making money, finding its audience while the mainstream is unaware of (or sleeping through) its popularity.

11-01-2004, 10:14 PM	#14
speanroc I WANNA BAN Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: AMERICA Posts: 2,537	i find giallos need mutiple viewings to grasp the whole viewing experience, i always catch something new the second time i view them, and if u need some recommendations i would start with the master BLOOD AND BLACK LACE ,and also give THE SECRET KILLER(eyeball, wide eyed in the dark) a view, both outstanding giallos IMO.......

11-02-2004, 02:18 AM	#15
dwatts HackMaster Join Date: May 2002 Location: Crashed Posts: 16,580	I can't explain why i never mentioned Tenebrae earlier. I just tend to lump it in the "Argento" pile and forget it's a giallo. Definately, that's the one to go for. Suspiria, that's great, but as Chaoster says, it ain't even close to being a giallo.