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Plot Of Fear
AKA …E Tanta Paura
Directed By Paolo Cavara
Released: 1976
Starring: Michele Placido, Corinne Clery, John Steiner, and Eli Wallach
Running Time: 98 minutes
Region: 0 PAL
DVD Released By Raro Video
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A sudden series of brutal homicides baffles police but
the obsessive Inspector Gaspare Lomenzo (played by Michele Placido) is
determined to catch the killer. The inspector also has to compete with Pietro
Riccio (Eli Wallach), the head of a private detective agency who always
seems to be one step ahead of his investigation. The only pattern for the
crimes is that all of the victims were members of an exclusive sex club
called The Fauna Lovers led by eccentric author Hoffmann (played by John
Steiner). Inspector Lomenzo falls for Jeanne (Corinne Clery), a beautiful
model who just happens to be involved with this club. She witnessed the accidental
death of Rosa, a hooker who may be the key to cracking the case.
Paolo Cavara, you amaze me. After the excellent
Black Belly Of The Tarantula, director Cavara comes back
with a vengeance with Plot Of Fear.
Whoa, dig that abrasive and frightening music score by Daniele Patucchi (Deep
River Savages)! One has to assume that
Patucchi is also responsible for those horrid disco numbers as well. Wow.
The prolific cinematographer, Franco Di Giacomo, responsible for other
Gialli such as Who Saw Her Die?
and Four Flies On Grey Velvet,
shines once again with his versatility. Whether it’s a gritty and
hooker-filled police station or a fog-enshrouded stretch of highway, the man
has a beautiful eye.
Michele Placido’s performance as Inspector Gaspare Lomenzo has instantly
become one of my favorites in all of the Giallo genre. Lomenzo is hotheaded,
high strung, egocentric, and yet is a totally brilliant detective. The
beautiful Corinne Clery (Hitchhike,
The Devil’s Honey)
is excellent as Jeanne, the girl of questionable morals that Lomenzo falls
for despite her involvement with the case. Eli Wallach (though hideously
dubbed) is very good as the scheming and suspicious Pietro Riccio. An
inexplicable American actor cameo in this film comes from Tom Skerritt (also
dubbed) who does little more than wave his arms around in frustration. Last
but not least, one of Italian genre flicks’ elite, John Steiner of
Tenebre
and Mario Bava’s Shock,
delivers another fine performance.
Giallo fans will be quite pleased with this film as it has plenty of plot
twists, a few brutal death scenes (immolation!), odious 70s fashion, garish
set designs, beautiful ladies, sleazy sex, J&B sightings, and a slew of
politically incorrect moments. Plot Of
Fear also sports a pretty dismal view
of the world with its bleak snapshots of urban life and its rather sickening
portrayal of the decadent wealthy. Sounds like fun, eh? Don’t worry, the
addition of some dry comedy and a fast-paced, entertaining mystery keep this
one from getting too serious.
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DVD Stuff:
Plot Of Fear
comes from Raro Video with a decent transfer. The film isn’t anamorphic
and the image and colors are just a little soft. However, the print they
are using is in excellent shape and I had a difficult time spotting any
scratches. The Italian audio (w/ optional English subtitles) sounds quite
good but the English audio is a little distorted but is easy enough to
understand. The extras are a biography and filmography for director Paolo
Cavara in Italian and English.
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Links:
Get Plot Of Fear
on DVD from
Xploited Cinema.
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Quotes:
Inspector Lomenzo: “You’re the queen. So kiss your white slave!”
Pietro Riccio: “Criminals want to get caught. It is a macabre invitation
to a treasure hunt.”
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