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Seven Blood-Stained Orchids
Directed By Umberto Lenzi
Released: 1972
Starring: Antonio Sabato, Uschi Glas, Pier Paolo Capponi, and Rossella
Falk
Running Time: 92 minutes
DVD Released By Media Blasters/Shriek Show 2003
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Someone is brutally murdering women and leaving crescent-shaped medallions
as a calling card. Police Inspector Vismara (Pier Paolo Capponi) is on the
case but the incidents seem completely random. One night, Giulia (played
by Uschi Glas) is attacked by the killer in her train compartment. Her
fiancée, Mario (Antonia Sabato), works with the police to convince the
media that Giulia is dead. Meanwhile, Mario and Giulia try to piece
together the clues to discover the identity of the killer. They discover
that all of the victims were either guests or staff at the hotel which
Giulia owned several years ago. Some incident ties everything together but
no one seems to know anything. The couple must solve the mystery before
the killer discovers their ruse and comes looking for Giulia.
Seven Blood-Stained Orchids is a tightly directed and
complexly plotted Giallo by Umberto Lenzi (Eyeball,
Knife Of Ice). The cinematography by Angelo Lotti (Venus In
Furs) is razor sharp. The film is complemented by Riz Ortolani’s
funky, bass-driven, and insidiously catchy score. Most of the dialogue is
well written but a shining example of hideousness comes when a
particularly stupid police officer pontificates: “Naturally, that’s one
thing you can be sure of: All criminals are out of their mind.” The plot
is confusing the first time around (hell, even the killer is mixed up) but
not overly frustrating thanks to the excellent pacing and tension.
Italian crime film regular Antonio Sabato is pretty damn cool slapping
around hippies and fending off the black-gloved killer. Bavarian cutie
Uschi Glas is a perfect leading lady for this Giallo and Rosella Falk (The
Fifth Cord,
Black Belly Of The Tarantula) is awesome
as nutcase, Elena Marchi. The scene where Elena’s persecution complex
gives way to real terror is excellent. Marina Malfatti (The Night
Evelyn Came Out Of The Grave, Red Queen Kills 7 Times)
steals the show (by being gorgeous and) by getting the best and most
poetic death scene in the film. The sultry Marissa Mell (Danger:
Diabolik) is a welcome sight as she plays both Anna and Maria
Sartori, a pivotal dual role.
Seven Blood-Stained Orchids is a superb example of the
typical Giallo and a fine way to get your Yellow film fix (heed my
warning: these things are addictive!). The hippies are scum, the cops are
idiots, and the sunglasses are huge. For those who like their Gialli
violent: highlights include a power drill murder and a brutal bludgeoning.
The plot comes a mile a minute but the first time viewer won’t be put off.
In fact, this is one of the more rewarding and re-viewable titles of the
genre. I’m quickly becoming a huge fan of Lenzi’s non-cannibal work (Spasmo,
Almost Human) and will be waiting impatiently for more of
them to get a decent release here in the States.
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DVD Specs:
Shriek Show’s Seven Blood-Stained Orchids DVD looks
very good in its 2.35:1 aspect ratio with great colors (shimmering blues
and rich reds). The Mono audio is acceptable (dialogue is easy to
understand) but the only language on the DVD is English. The absence of
the Italian audio is a minus but the presentation as is stands on its own
nicely.
Oh, hell yeah, the DVD has an interview with Umberto Lenzi. This amusing
interview is a real treat as the embittered director slams his fellow
Italian directors for copying all of his original ideas. Hilarious. There
is also an interview with actress Gabriella Giorgelli who discusses her
brief role in the film. Trailers for other Shriek Show releases, an art
gallery, and a brief essay about Seven Blood-Stained Orchids
round out the extras.
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Links:
For more
information, check out
Media Blasters.
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