A woman and her Stihl - Senta Berger, the chainsaw and an exceptional giallo with Luc Merenda
Anyone who only knows Senta Berger, who will only be 80 years young in 2021, from her television roles on German television, has missed something crucial. After the West German film producer Artur Brauner and his CCC-Film didn't know what to do with her, Senta Berger went first to Hollywood and then to Cinecitta in 1965 to make real films.
In the present film by Duccio Tessari (1926-1994), who is best known as the inventor of the western hero Ringo with Giuliano Gemma, she plays Sara Grimaldi, a swimming instructor in Portofino who, after a long absence, is living with her husband Ted (Luc Merenda, * 1943). He has lost his memory in London, is confronted with a bizarre murder and now wants to put the "puzzle" (the film's title in the USA) parts of his life back in order. Ted was probably involved in some pretty dark dealings, and Sara also reacts rather cautiously to him. She has long since found a new admirer in Daniel (Umberto Orsini), her teacher colleague at the swimming pool. When Ted meets George (Bruno Corazzari), a former business acquaintance, things become increasingly mysterious. There are some twists and shock effects that are really quite something. The beautiful Mary Caine (Anita Strindberg) also plays a special role. As Sara, Senta Berger is spared nothing. It's good that a woman always has a Stihl in the house...;-)
Of course the story is predictable, Luc Merenda is not an unlikely Oscar winner (but he can make a striking face), but as a giallo with exquisitely beautiful images and sought-after shock effects, the film definitely works. Good entertainment guaranteed!
The first victim to be seen in London is the South Tyrolean Manfred Freyberger (1930-1980), who was often cast in supporting roles in Cinecitta. Tom Felleghy, born in Budapest in 1921, also appeared as Dr. Archibald Wildgate there.
The Giallo horror film was produced by Luciano Martino (1933-2013), who was married to the Giallo diva Edwige Fenech from 1971 to 1979.
Anyone who only knows Senta Berger, who will only be 80 years young in 2021, from her television roles on German television, has missed something crucial. After the West German film producer Artur Brauner and his CCC-Film didn't know what to do with her, Senta Berger went first to Hollywood and then to Cinecitta in 1965 to make real films.
In the present film by Duccio Tessari (1926-1994), who is best known as the inventor of the western hero Ringo with Giuliano Gemma, she plays Sara Grimaldi, a swimming instructor in Portofino who, after a long absence, is living with her husband Ted (Luc Merenda, * 1943). He has lost his memory in London, is confronted with a bizarre murder and now wants to put the "puzzle" (the film's title in the USA) parts of his life back in order. Ted was probably involved in some pretty dark dealings, and Sara also reacts rather cautiously to him. She has long since found a new admirer in Daniel (Umberto Orsini), her teacher colleague at the swimming pool. When Ted meets George (Bruno Corazzari), a former business acquaintance, things become increasingly mysterious. There are some twists and shock effects that are really quite something. The beautiful Mary Caine (Anita Strindberg) also plays a special role. As Sara, Senta Berger is spared nothing. It's good that a woman always has a Stihl in the house...;-)
Of course the story is predictable, Luc Merenda is not an unlikely Oscar winner (but he can make a striking face), but as a giallo with exquisitely beautiful images and sought-after shock effects, the film definitely works. Good entertainment guaranteed!
The first victim to be seen in London is the South Tyrolean Manfred Freyberger (1930-1980), who was often cast in supporting roles in Cinecitta. Tom Felleghy, born in Budapest in 1921, also appeared as Dr. Archibald Wildgate there.
The Giallo horror film was produced by Luciano Martino (1933-2013), who was married to the Giallo diva Edwige Fenech from 1971 to 1979.