Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Paul]

Don't want to go into overkill, as I've also started a similar thread about American films that were influenced by giallo cinema but there's good reason to start a conversation focusing on how the Italian sensibility and aethetics of filmmaking crept into British films. Two films that instantly spring to mind are Sidney Hayer's ASSAULT - a films which may have been modelled on Margheriti's NAKED YOU DIE, but a precursor to Dallamano's schoolgilr trilogy, and Nicholas Roeg's majestic DON'T LOOK NOW, which benefits from an Italian setting -- Venice -- which was the backdrop to Aldo Lado's WHO SAW HER DIE? the year before.

[dracucarr]

In Peter Rogers' case I say stick to what you're good at and for me neither horror nor giallo is a strong point. I have enjoyed the American attempt far more with the likes of Dressed to Kill. I'm going to throw in Pete Walker's Schizo - again not very impressive unfotunately. A shame really as there were some excellent moments.

[Paul]

I've still got to see more of Walker's films. I bought the box and a couple of R1 but have only seen THE COMEBACK and SCHIZO so far. I'm on a bit of a British horror tip at the moment, so I must remember to check them out. I didn't think SCHIZO was bad - it's certainly no masterpiece but I remember enjoying it.

FRENZY is another film I didn;t mention in my original post. Hitchcock certainly set the trend for the Italians to replicate but I think FRENZY definitely owes a debt to Bava and Argento.

[dracucarr]

You see Schizo is so obvious even by its title. As you know I don't like knowing things miles before the ending. Pete Walker isn't a fan of many of his films and this one is no exception. It is enjoyable I agree, but it lets itself down from the get go. I haven't revisited it so maybe when the element of suprise is gone like on all repeat viewings I may like it more. As for Frenzy that is a knockout film. Some of those scenes are so nasty and there's some excellent use of the camera, especially regarding a Janet Leigh Psycho murder - not the way it's committed, but the fact that it's a leading character done in a very subtle but brilliant way with one shot. So much enjoyment to be had from this one.

[Paul]

Cronenberg once said that those that site Hitchcock as an example of how a thrilling film can be made without the use of violence should see FRENZY and I agree with him. Hitchcock had worked in the most censorious of times and I reckon he had always wanted to depict violence in his films, but was never allowed. FRENZY is a tantalising glimpse of what might have been!

[Jonny]

Sid Hayers made a few films that could be classed as British Gialli. Certainly the one that fits the bill the most, I would say, is his film 'Deadly Strangers' (1974) starring Hayley Mills, Simon Ward and Sterling Hayden. It's a great little film and often overlooked, has a very twisty plot and to be honest it had me stumped, as regards working out who the murderer was, pretty much right up to the finale.

I don't think it ever had a UK VHS release, my copy is from an American tape.

[dracucarr]

I agree - imagine what Hitch would have done as he got further into the 70's! We could have had some right nasty masterpieces. Frenzy will always be one of my faves. As for Deadly Strangers I got that mainly to see a nude Hayley Mills  - pathetic I know - but I was pleasantly suprised. I will be in the que if this ever gets a DVD release.

[Paul]

I've not seen DEADLY STRANGERS - I shall be tracking down a US tape of it right now.

Another Britsh film that has giallo overtones, though it's doesn't adhere to the whodunnit formula, is Roy Boutling's TWISTED NERVE.

[dracucarr]

Speaking of which I had a big clart on with that one. I pre-ordered it at HMV and forgot all about it. When Comp later posted on having received the DVD I realised it had been out a while and still hadn't been dispatched. After waiting a couple of weeks they said it must have been lost in the post and a new one will be dispatched but they had to refund me first before paying for it again. Anyway, I got it on monday so I will watch it soon. The title has a giallo ring to it.

[CJ]

And Soon the Darkness is also very Giallo-esque and benefits from some nice Euro locations. It's very creepy and certainly has a very Giallo feel to it, the way that everyone is a possible suspect and that things are never quite what they seem. Great movie.

[dr death]

I agree - imagine what Hitch would have done as he got further into the 70's! We could have had some right nasty masterpieces. Frenzy will always be one of my faves. As for Deadly Strangers I got that mainly to see a nude Hayley Mills  - pathetic I know - but I was pleasantly suprised. I will be in the que if this ever gets a DVD release.

Sir Alfred would have been marvellous at giallo I have no doubt. Frenzy is surprisingly nasty considering. It was Hitchcock at last free of the Hollywood system. Alfred Unbound if you like. The murder scene invo;ving Barbera Leigh Hunt is quite gut wrenching, I find. Deadly strangers was always a watch when they put it on the telly. I don't know that I crave a DVD but would probably purchase it for nostalgia value shpuld one surface for about a fiver!   

[Paul]

And Soon the Darkness is also very Giallo-esque and benefits from some nice Euro locations. It's very creepy and certainly has a very Giallo feel to it, the way that everyone is a possible suspect and that things are never quite what they seem. Great movie.

I orderedone of those weeks ago and it's still not arrived. I must chase that up! I've heard mixed things about AND SOON THE DARKNESS but most of it has been positive.

[Kevin Coed]

AND SOON THE DARKNESS is a cracking film. An atmosphere all of its own.

[Paul]

AND SOON THE DARKNESS is a cracking film. An atmosphere all of its own.

Thanks, Kev - funny enough, I returned home this morning and it must have arrived yesterday. I shall be watching it tomorrow night.

[Kevin Coed]

You won't be disappointed. It's a true gem of British cinema.