Arrow Video has done much to resurrect and save the giallo
film from disappearing. They’ve put out a vast number of the films in the genre
that have prevented them from being lost forever. They’re to be commended for
this. With their release of THE IGUANA WITH THE TONGUE OF FIRE they’ve save
another film but unfortunately not one of the better ones. Still all films
deserve to be preserved.
Set in Dublin, already something different for a giallo film,
the movie follows a particularly gruesome murderer who opens the film by
splashing acid onto a woman’s face before slicing her throat. Her body is then
discovered in the trunk of Swiss Ambassador Sobiesky’s (Anton Diffring) car by
his wife and child. The police begin to investigate but are blocked as the
Ambassador continues to cite diplomatic immunity. It turns out that the
diplomat was having an affair with the young woman. But that doesn’t mean he’s
the killer or does it?
His daughter Helen (Dagmar Lassander) heads out for a night
on the town where she meets a man named John Norton (Luigi Pistilli) and the
pair end up back and the diplomat’s home sharing a bed with one another. As the
pair become a couple it’s revealed that John is actually an undercover police
officer sent in as a work around to find out about what’s transpiring behind
the scenes.
More murders occur, more suspects are tossed into the mix
and a final revelation of what has transpired and why finishes the film. The
problem is that it gets a bit convoluted along the way and murders tend to take
place without their being a reason for them in all cases. In addition to that
the killer makes some stupid moves along the way that would normally end up in
being caught but not here.
Director Riccardo Freda had a solid reputation as a film
maker prior to this film and it didn’t do much to tarnish that. He ended up
unhappy with the results and had his name removed from the film. As for fans
while not the best representation of the genre it’s still one to watch and
enjoy.
It’s almost a given that anything Arrow releases will be
amazing and this film is no exception. The quality of the transfer, a 2K
restoration from the original 35mm camera negative, is amazing to see. The
extras are their usual selection of items to be enjoyed as well. They include a
new audio commentary track with giallo connoisseurs Adrian J. Smith and David
Flint, OF CHAMELEONS AND IGUANAS a new video appreciation of film by cultural
critic and academic Richard Dyer, CONSIDERING CIPRIANI an appreciation of
composer Stelvio Cipriani and his score for the film by DJ and soundtrack
collector Lovely Jon, THE CUTTING GAME a new interview with the films assistant
editor Bruno Micheli, THE RED QUEEN OF HEARTS a career spanning interview with
actress Dagmar Lassander, original Italian and international trailers, an image
gallery, a reversible sleeve featuring original and new artwork by Graham
Humphreys and a collectors booklet with new writing on the film by Andreas
Ehrenreich.
Giallo fans and Arrow fans will want to make sure that they
add this to their collection. It’s a nice piece and will make both more
complete than without. Fans of the giallo film will want to watch it even if it
isn’t the best example of the genre. It’s still an enjoyable viewing.
No comments:
Post a Comment