Torso
Directed by Sergio Martino
A sexy student is stalked by a serial strangler in this classic from the grand giallo duo, director Sergio Martino and writer Ernesto Gastaldi. Art student Jane (Suzy Kendall) becomes the target of a killer when she realizes she saw something that could unmask his identity. Jane and her friends set out for a remote villa where they hope to hide out until the killer is caught. Naturally, things don’t go according to plan. A favorite of director Eli Roth, this chilling horror hit laid the groundwork for the US slasher genre. Essential viewing for giallo enthusiasts.
Sergio Martino’s giallo classic follows a sexy student stalked by a mad strangler.
Cast: Suzy Kendall, Tina Aumont, Carla Brait, Luc Merenda
Member Reviews
I have seen this before many years ago but was in the mood for a Giallo so thought rewatch this. This is quite solid and enjoyable. Not too strange and not too dull. While not being the best of the genre it is far from the worst. It helps if you already like the genre, I can't say for sure that it would help gain fans but this is entertaining. Give it a try and see what you think.
The stylish, colourful, polished aesthetics of this film deserved a better story and non-dubbed dialogue, I think. I did get some laughs from the over-the-top jump scare strings, though, not to mention the Carry On Up The Piazza bug-eyed reactions of some of the male characters to seeing attractive women. (Now I'm imagining Kenneth Williams as the scarf vendor and Sid James as the peeping Tom...)
Now that's some good Giallo!
Gialli are not my thing, hilarious fight at the end. Poor effects
In every respect it's a movie of it's era. Lots of misogyny, nudity, and everyone smokes... Just all the time. Not that I mind, but it does catch you out if you're only used to modern movies. Torso's a suspenseful "who's the killer" mystery, and very well put together. Nice locations, pretty girls, and kept to a good run time so it doesn't drag. The final act is pretty tense too.