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All the Colors of the Dark
Directed by Sergio Martino
Released: 1972
Starring: George Hilton, Edwige Fenech, and Ivan Rassimov
Running Time: 91 minutes
DVD Released By Shriek Show
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Jane (played by Edwige Fenech) has been suffering from disturbing nightmares ever since she lost her unborn child in a car accident. Under the advice of her sister, Jane pays regular visits to a psychiatrist to discuss these terrible dreams much to the chagrin of her boyfriend, Richard (George Hilton), who thinks the shrink is a quack. After narrowly escaping being killed by the man who has been assaulting her with a stiletto in her dreams, Jane thinks she is going insane. Her neighbor, Mary (played by Marina Malfatti), recommends that she attend a Black Mass to make all her problems go away. The cult, lead by a golden finger-nailed puppy sacrificer, initiate Jane but this only exacerbates her problems distinguishing reality from dream. As she experiences more and more close calls with the cult and the murderous man from her dreams, Jane's reality begins to crumble. She soon discovers that there is something more diabolical going on than she could have ever imagined.
Sergio Martino, director of Giallos such as
Torso and
The Case Of
The Scorpion's Tail, doesn't disappoint fans with this dizzying entry in the genre. The bold cinematography, bright lighting, and the offbeat editing, make this a visually stunning film. Composer Bruno Nicolai
(The Case of the Bloody Iris) helps create a suspenseful atmosphere with his superb soundtrack which compliments the action very well. Owing just a little to
Rosemary's Baby, the story is well written although it does get a little repetitious by the time the climax rolls around.
Both the disturbing dream sequence and the orgiastic Black Mass are well done although a little heavy handed with their symbolism. The opening credit sequence is a static shot of a lakeside at dusk as it fades into night. It's a simple moment full of foreboding that really draws the viewer in. Most of the chase sequences are full of tension but there are a few times when Jane is being pursued by her blue-eyed attacker which could have been trimmed to help the story move a little faster.
The ludicrously attractive Edwige Fenech (5 Dolls for an August Moon) teams up yet again with the always cool George Hilton
(The Killer Must Kill Again,
My Dear
Killer) and puts in another fine performance as the tortured Jane. Most of the cast are all Giallo veterans including Marina Malfatti
(Seven Blood-Stained Orchids,
The Night Evelyn Came Out of Her
Grave), Ivan Rassimov, Julián Ugarte (Autopsy), Georges Rigaud
(Eyeball,
Case of the Bloody Iris), and even Dominique Boschero
(Who Saw Her Die?). It's easy playing who's who Italian style when watching this. More importantly, all of the actors are perfectly cast and easily handle the sleazy and outlandish subject matter of the film.
All the Colors of the Dark is not necessarily a good starting point for folks looking to get into Giallos. Although it is a fine film and I find it to be more rewarding with each viewing, the plot is a tough and awkward pill to swallow and the pace is hurt by some repetitious chase scenes. Some blood is spilled but there is very little gore to speak of. However, this is a must have for diehard fans of the Yellow films with its sumptuous visuals, all star cast, gratuitous nudity, and
outrageous 70s music.
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Links:
Get this DVD from
Xploited Cinema.
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