ALL THE COLORS OF THE DARK: GIALLO OR NOT?

In recent years there’s been a re-emerging interest in the giallo films, those Italian suspense movies that almost always feature a mysterious murderer in black gloves tracking down a new victim. But that hasn’t always been the format used for the giallo film. Such is the case with ALL THE COLORS OF THE DARK.

The movie tells the story of Jane (Edwige Fenech), a woman whose mother was murdered years ago who is dealing with the recent loss of a child in a car crash. Suspicious of everyone, always on edge and afraid of being alone, she constantly calls her husband Richard (George Hilton). Richard is a pharmacy salesman and thinks the solution is vitamins he continues to give her. Her sister Barbara (Susan Scott) has other ideas.

Working for an analysts she believes therapy is what Jane needs. Jane goes to see the therapist and discusses her recurring dream where she sees a pregnant woman on a table, a meth mouthed looking midwife dressed in dolls clothing with curly hair and herself on a bed, blood spilling from an open wound. During the dream she also sees a man with piercing blue eyes. The therapist tell here there must be a reason for this and not to worry, they will work on her issues. He leaves the room for a moment and Jane looks into the lobby to find the pale eyed man sitting there. When she tells the therapist he tells her he has no other patients scheduled.

Walking home through a park Jane feels she’s being followed by the man with blue eyes. She bumps into a woman named Mary (Marina Malfatti) who happens to be a new neighbor in their apartment building. Stopping in for a cup of tea they have a conversation where Mary tells her she had problems once too but found a solution that she offers to Jane. Jane agrees and the next day they go to a castle nearby.

Mary’s solution is to become a member of a satanic cult there. Her mind already in a spin from the dreams as well as the numerous people all presenting different ways to help her Jane succumbs to the influence of both drugs and maneuvers presented by the group. But something seems off about them, something that ties to her past. By the time she realizes what is going on Jane isn’t quite sure what it real, what is fantasy and what problems may follow the decisions she makes.

The movie is incredibly interesting and a pleasure to watch due to the quality of the film makers behind the credits. At the same time it has a familiar ring to it. While watching I kept thinking it seemed just like ROSEMARY’S BABY without the baby. During the extras in an interview with the director he notes that Italian film makers at the time borrowed heavily from successful films and that this one was indeed influenced by that film.

The story here is one that’s a bit convoluted and confusing at times and yet easy enough to follow if you pay close attention. Some items aren’t clear until final revelations are offered near the end but they won’t stop you from enjoying the film all the same.

The acting by all involved is better than one would expect and loses nothing in the transition of languages of all involved. Hilton is there for the ladies to swoon over and both Fenech and Scott here in their heyday are amazingly attractive and easy on the eye. Both were consistent actresses in the giallo genre and this movie just adds another to their long list of accomplishments.

While most giallo films seem to be coming from Arrow Video these days this offering is from Severin who have shown in the past year or two a desire to step up their game and offer some amazing titles in the best version possible. This film is not different. Here they are offering the movie for the first time in a 4k scan from the original film negative. It’s never looked this good before.

In addition to that they’ve included some amazing extras to enjoy. These include “They’re Coming To Get You” an alternate US cut of the film, “Color My Nightmare” an interview with director Sergio Martino, “Last of the Mohicans” an interview with screenwriter Ernesto Gastaldi, “Giallo is the Color” interviews with Hilton and Italian horror expert Antonio Tentori, and audio commentary track with Kat Ellinger, the author of “All the Colors of Sergio Martino”, trailers and a bonus CD of the film’s soundtrack. Wow, what a list.

Severin is releasing this title along with another title called ALL THE COLORS OF GIALLO, a documentary of the genre that includes a 4 hour compilation of giallo trailers. My suggestion is that you pick both up and enjoy them as soon as possible. Severin has done an amazing job on both.

Click here to order.