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 Studio: Shriek Show

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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 Stuff

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.