aka Morte sospetta di una minorenne
Sergio Martino is definitely one of the most interesting filmmakers to rise through the ranks of Italian exploitation cinema. During his most prolific period during the 70s, he managed to work successfully across different genres; trying his hand at cop flicks, gialli, a spaghetti western and even a cannibal film. There’s a lot more to Martino than meets the eye and he’s certainly a better director than many of his contemporaries, as evidenced in THE SUSPICIOUS DEATH OF A MINOR, which has just been released on DVD in Germany by Sazuma Trading.
During his introduction on the new DVD, Martino mentions that the film had been set for release as MILANO VIOLENTA, obviously to cash in on the then-popular police films that had risen to prominence since Castellari's HIGH CRIME in 1973. The MILANO VIOLENTA title itself aspiring to capitalise on Marino Girolami's ROMA VIOLENTA (1975) that had come out in the same year. The giallo had lost much of its popularity in Italy until Argento blasted back on the scene after a four year absence with PROFONDO ROSSO, an instant box-office success that lead Italian producers back on a giallo-making mission, and hence Martino's film was retitled to make the best of it’s lurid murder mystery plotting.
THE SUSPECTED DEATH OF A MINOR is a real stand-out giallo; it features an impeccably crafted performance by the late, great Claudio Cassinelli (who later died in a helicopter crash while making FISTS OF STEEL for Martino) and one that is by turns tough, vulnerable and humorous. The subject matter (the plot revolves around a teenage prostitution syndicate) echoes Massimo Dallamano's WHAT HAVE THEY DONE TO YOUR DAUGHTERS which had been released the previous year – another film that sophisticatedly blended the police thriller with the giallo, and as much as this reviewer loves Dallamano's film, it’s hard to pick which is better. Coincidentally, Cassinelli stars in both.
PROFONDO ROSSO's influence upon the film is great; so much so that Martino and co indulge in some ill-advised humour (an aspect that failed in Argento's film) and a Goblinesque score that borders on plagiarism but this aside, THE SUSPECTED DEATH OF A MINOR is still an excellent film and one that should be top of the "to buy" list for all exploitation enthusiasts.
Sazuma's disc is presentable and considering the film had been seldom seen outside of Italy, it’s wonderful that it has been released at all. The film is presented in anamorphic 2.35 and although the print exhibits some grain, wear and tear is minimal. The film is in Italian, with optional English, German and Dutch subtitles. Extras of note include an introduction and interview with Sergio Martino, an audio commentary by two leading genre critics and the original Italian trailer.
Martino has made some cracking films, and his previous gialli: YOUR VICE IS A LOCKED ROOM AND ONLY I HAVE THE KEY, ALL THE COLOURS OF THE DARK and THE STRANGE VICE OF MRS WARDH are some of the best examples of the genre, just as THE VIOLENT PROFESSIONALS is one of best cop flicks. THE SUSPECTED DEATH OF A MINOR bridges the gap between the giallo and Euro crime and succeeds in being an excellent entry in both genres.
