My old buddy Rob, who knows more about "psychotronic" movies than anybody I know, recently e-mailed me to rave about a film he'd just seen, "The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh" (1970). He urged me to put this Italian thriller, of the kind nowadays called "giallo," on my list of films to rent. Well, I'd never heard of this movie before, and my list of films to rent right now is pretty darn long, but, believing that there's always room for giallo (ouch!), I put it right at the top of my rental list, and boy, am I ever glad I did! "Mrs. Wardh" turns out to be a very suspenseful, stylish, sexy and violent thriller that really does keep you guessing. In it, Edwige Fenech plays the wife of a stockbroker, living in Austria, who becomes the target of a serial slasher (as has been pointed out elsewhere, those giallo killers really do seem to gravitate toward the ol' straight-edge razor, for some reason). I hadn't seen Ms. Fenech in anything before, but can understand now why she is such a beloved cult actress in Europe. She is remarkably attractive in this film, at 22 years of age, and a modern-day interview with the actress, included on this DVD from the fine folks at No Shame, reveals that she is, astonishingly, still quite beautiful today, 35 years later. Anyway, besides Fenech's exquisite presence, this film boasts gorgeous location shooting in Vienna and Sitges (near Barcelona), Spain, as well as trippy background music that will haunt your memory for days. The film is atmospheric as can be and has been directed with style to spare by Sergio Martino. I guarantee you won't foresee any of the twists and turns that this ingeniously plotted film dishes out. It's a real winner. Thanks, Rob!
61 Reviews
Suspenseful and Erotic Giallo
claudio_carvalho4 March 2017
Mrs. Julie Wardh (Edwige Fenech) returns to Vienna with her husband Neil Wardh (Alberto de Mendoza), who is an investor in Wall Street. Julie and Neil have been married for one year but they do not love each other. Julie has a trauma from her former boyfriend Jean (Ivan Rassimov), who was a sadistic man. While Neil has meetings in Austria, Julie spends he vacation with her friend Carol Brandt (Cristina Airoldi). They go to a party where Carol introduces her handsome cousin George Corro (George Hilton), who has just inherited a fortune with her. When Julie sees Jean in the party, she decides to leave the place. Soon Julie, who is neglected by Neil, has a love affair with George. Meanwhile a serial-killer that kills women with a razor blade is terrifying Vienna and the inspector (Carlo Alighiero) has no lead to follow. When Julie is blackmailed because of her love affair with George, she suspects Jean might be the blackmailer. Carol decides to go to the meeting with the blackmailer and is killed. Julie believes that Jean might be the wanted killer and decides to leave Vienna and Neil to go to Spain. Will she be safe and loved?
"Lo strano vizio della Signora Wardh" is a suspenseful erotic giallo directed by Sergio Martino in the beginning of his career. The plot is tense and there are many suspects that might be the serial-killer. The conclusion surprises the viewers that will never guess who might be the killer. My vote is seven.
Title (Brazil): "O Estranho Vício da Senhora Ward" ("The Strange Vice of Mrs. Ward")
Note: On 05 Jun 2020 I saw this film again.
"Lo strano vizio della Signora Wardh" is a suspenseful erotic giallo directed by Sergio Martino in the beginning of his career. The plot is tense and there are many suspects that might be the serial-killer. The conclusion surprises the viewers that will never guess who might be the killer. My vote is seven.
Title (Brazil): "O Estranho Vício da Senhora Ward" ("The Strange Vice of Mrs. Ward")
Note: On 05 Jun 2020 I saw this film again.
Excellent Giallo
jeanlevy12 May 2020
Much like the slasher films of the U.S., the Italian giallo movement is more known for its incredibly high highs than it's truly awful lows. It becomes fairly obvious once you start seeking a lot of these films out that there are more lousy ones than great ones, but every now and then, one surprises you and The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh is, indeed, very surprising.
Taking a more thoughtful and character driven approach to giallo storytelling, it focuses on Julie, an ambassador's wife who's gotten out of a troubled relationship with a sadist and just wants to move on with her life. It doesn't help that there's a mad razor murderer out there and her former lover has been stalking her. Even worse, she falls for a mysterious and handsome friend of a friend who complicates things even more.
The stunning Austrian location photography, beautiful music score, and hypnotic presence of Edwige Fenech helps things move along at a nice pace and having interesting character drama keeps things exciting even when the mad razor slasher isn't terrorizing anyone. This might make for a good gateway giallo for those unfamiliar with the genre. It's not as wild or supernatural as some of the nuttier ones and not as deathly dull as many of the lesser tier ones.
Taking a more thoughtful and character driven approach to giallo storytelling, it focuses on Julie, an ambassador's wife who's gotten out of a troubled relationship with a sadist and just wants to move on with her life. It doesn't help that there's a mad razor murderer out there and her former lover has been stalking her. Even worse, she falls for a mysterious and handsome friend of a friend who complicates things even more.
The stunning Austrian location photography, beautiful music score, and hypnotic presence of Edwige Fenech helps things move along at a nice pace and having interesting character drama keeps things exciting even when the mad razor slasher isn't terrorizing anyone. This might make for a good gateway giallo for those unfamiliar with the genre. It's not as wild or supernatural as some of the nuttier ones and not as deathly dull as many of the lesser tier ones.
Among the best in my opinion
Bogey Man28 December 2004
Sergio Martino's "Lo Strano vizio della Signora Wardh" (1970) is a welcome addition to the list of giallos that had remained long unseen for me. Martino has done some of the most interesting of the 70's exploitation cinema (like "Torso" and "Mountain of the Cannibal God") and also an interesting spaghetti western "Mannaja." The giallo hasn't as hard-to-follow and confusing plot as it could have, there are not too many characters which makes their efforts and plot turns easy to follow. The story is simple and involves strange murders closely related to beautiful Wardh lady. There are some masterfully constructed mystery / giallo segments that look no less ambitious than those of Dario Argento. I mean mostly the garage scene and the "gas" scene near the end. These build the suspense well and involve the audience much better than some of the more gore-oriented works of the genre. Martino's film has also some stylish and violent murders but fortunately he didn't concentrate only on them. The locations are simply stunning, and the end twist is surprising and certainly original in my opinion. I think this is among the best of the giallo genre, on the same level with Mario Bava's "Blood and Black Lace", the films by Argento and Tonino Valerii's "My Dear Killer", for example, to name just a few.
Europe's finest; Edwige Fenech, George Hilton, Ivan Rassimov....
Camera-Obscura7 February 2007
THE STRANGE VICE OF MRS. WARDH (Sergio Martino - Italy/Spain 1970).
A bit of an essential Giallo entry, Martino's first thriller, although I personally prefer his fourth giallo YOUR VICE IS A LOCKED ROOM AND ONLY I HAVE THE KEY (1972), also starring Edwige Fenech, which has the pleasant setting of a country-estate and is even more lurid, over-the-top and slightly less predictable than this one.
This was Fenech's first starring role for producer (and lover) Luciano Martino and the rest of the cast soon became Martino-regulars, playing very similar roles in his later films: Edwige Fenech as calculating victim, George Hilton as the ever-conniving smoothie and evil-looking Ivan Rassimov as the malicious outsider who would become one of the regular bad guys in Italian genre cinema. Fenech plays the kind of character here that would become her trademark, a sexually liberated, glamorous and utterly shallow fashionista. She plays Julie Wardh, the restless wife of an official at the American embassy in Vienna and an investment broker (either one of these, or both, quite an unusual combination of professions!) who is disturbed by reports about a sex killer. She is convinced she is being stalked by Jean (Rassimov), a sadistic ex-lover, and, worse still, suspects that he may the killer. We also learn, through numerous flashbacks, that they had quite a kinky and sadomasochistic relationship. In the meantime a killer, a blonde woman is slashed to death while taking a shower. This doesn't stop Julie from a little fawning with George (a suave George Hilton), the cousin of her attractive friend Carol. Unsurprisingly, she's the next target of the razor-killer who terrorizes her in an underground car park and even all the way into Spain, where she thought she was save.
Many of Martino's films feel a bit over-polished to me. I recently watched a whole bunch of his films, including his crime thriller THE VIOLENT PROFESSIONALS (1973) as well as Fulci's DON'T TORTURE A DUCKLING (1972), which easily is superior to this one, but very raw, even somewhat shabby and unpolished in comparison with Martino's carefully stylized productions. Certainly a handsome production with substantial doses of sexual perversion and misogynistic violence and enough twists and turns to make for an entertaining thriller. And one has to give it to him, Martino has a real knack in framing some impressive shots, such as the glass-breaking scene in one of Fenech's flashbacks. The plot is fairly straight-forward, not needlessly over-complicated and by giallo-standards, the number of oddball characters and bizarre suspects is limited, but the ending is incredibly far-fetched and even hints at the super-natural. Where did that suddenly came from, Gastaldi? Logic and common sense is best left home when watching this one, but - unless you're on medication - you're probably gonna need a couple of drinks to fully appreciate this pleasantly lurid masochistic puzzle.
Camera Obscura --- 7/10
A bit of an essential Giallo entry, Martino's first thriller, although I personally prefer his fourth giallo YOUR VICE IS A LOCKED ROOM AND ONLY I HAVE THE KEY (1972), also starring Edwige Fenech, which has the pleasant setting of a country-estate and is even more lurid, over-the-top and slightly less predictable than this one.
This was Fenech's first starring role for producer (and lover) Luciano Martino and the rest of the cast soon became Martino-regulars, playing very similar roles in his later films: Edwige Fenech as calculating victim, George Hilton as the ever-conniving smoothie and evil-looking Ivan Rassimov as the malicious outsider who would become one of the regular bad guys in Italian genre cinema. Fenech plays the kind of character here that would become her trademark, a sexually liberated, glamorous and utterly shallow fashionista. She plays Julie Wardh, the restless wife of an official at the American embassy in Vienna and an investment broker (either one of these, or both, quite an unusual combination of professions!) who is disturbed by reports about a sex killer. She is convinced she is being stalked by Jean (Rassimov), a sadistic ex-lover, and, worse still, suspects that he may the killer. We also learn, through numerous flashbacks, that they had quite a kinky and sadomasochistic relationship. In the meantime a killer, a blonde woman is slashed to death while taking a shower. This doesn't stop Julie from a little fawning with George (a suave George Hilton), the cousin of her attractive friend Carol. Unsurprisingly, she's the next target of the razor-killer who terrorizes her in an underground car park and even all the way into Spain, where she thought she was save.
Many of Martino's films feel a bit over-polished to me. I recently watched a whole bunch of his films, including his crime thriller THE VIOLENT PROFESSIONALS (1973) as well as Fulci's DON'T TORTURE A DUCKLING (1972), which easily is superior to this one, but very raw, even somewhat shabby and unpolished in comparison with Martino's carefully stylized productions. Certainly a handsome production with substantial doses of sexual perversion and misogynistic violence and enough twists and turns to make for an entertaining thriller. And one has to give it to him, Martino has a real knack in framing some impressive shots, such as the glass-breaking scene in one of Fenech's flashbacks. The plot is fairly straight-forward, not needlessly over-complicated and by giallo-standards, the number of oddball characters and bizarre suspects is limited, but the ending is incredibly far-fetched and even hints at the super-natural. Where did that suddenly came from, Gastaldi? Logic and common sense is best left home when watching this one, but - unless you're on medication - you're probably gonna need a couple of drinks to fully appreciate this pleasantly lurid masochistic puzzle.
Camera Obscura --- 7/10
Stylish, violent and sexy.
MOscarbradley15 March 2020
Originally denied a certificate in the UK Sergio Martino's Giallo "The Strange Vice of Mrs Wardh" is stylish, violent and sexy in equal measure, even in this dubbed version. It's the type of film that does exactly what it says on the tin and fans of the genre certainly won't be disappointed. Personally, I've never really seen the attraction of badly dubbed sexploitation pictures in which beautiful women get hacked to death in gloating close-up while either a discordantly jangly or quasi-religious score throbes away in the background.
Here a serial slasher is terrorising women in Vienna and terrorised ambassador's wife Julie Wardh, (the gorgeous Edwige Fenech), suspects it's her ex-lover Jean. Of course, Mrs Wardh has a strange vice in that she enjoys kinky, rough sex and what Giallo would be complete without a dollop or three of kinky, rough sex and several more dollops of explicit female nudity not to mention a whole barrel load of red-herrings. Just the kind of thing that might have played in the cinemas of Soho (or Derry's Palace Picturehouse), back in the day and very enjoyable it is too.
Here a serial slasher is terrorising women in Vienna and terrorised ambassador's wife Julie Wardh, (the gorgeous Edwige Fenech), suspects it's her ex-lover Jean. Of course, Mrs Wardh has a strange vice in that she enjoys kinky, rough sex and what Giallo would be complete without a dollop or three of kinky, rough sex and several more dollops of explicit female nudity not to mention a whole barrel load of red-herrings. Just the kind of thing that might have played in the cinemas of Soho (or Derry's Palace Picturehouse), back in the day and very enjoyable it is too.
Above average giallo fare with Fenech in top form
Groverdox23 April 2016
Sergio Martino's "The Strange Vice of Mrs Wardh" is one of the better giallo offerings, basically because it is entertaining from beginning to end. There aren't too many memorable moments, however: after all this time all I could remember about it was the one scene where the women at the party are wearing paper dresses and begin to tear them off each other.
Also, I couldn't forget the fantastic title, made weird by the extraneous "h" at the end of the last name. If I remember correctly, a real life Mrs Ward heard about the movie's production and complained, thinking it might sully her reputation, so instead of choosing another name for the character, they merely added a letter that wouldn't change the pronunciation.
Aside from that, it's all pretty standard. There's a killer on the loose, and the ending packs in some double crosses that are kind of hard to swallow. There's no real suspense, and although the movie has the usual nudity and sex, no real eroticism.
It's also not that violent. "The Strange Vice of Mrs Wardh" may feature the single most unrealistic throat slashing I've seen in a movie. There's no attempt to simulate a wound, and there isn't even that much blood.
The movie is about the always captivating Edwige Fenech as the stupidly named Mrs Wardh-with an "H", who had a weird sadomasochistic relationship with a guy who looks like Buffalo Bill from "Silence of the Lambs", but ditched him for safety and monotony from an older, much more boring man. She starts getting anonymous letters about her "strange vice", and there's a killer on the loose.
As I said the typical giallo twists in the tail are a little hard to bear, the movie has little in the way of suspense, but it's always entertaining and Edwige Fenech is almost always worth watching in gialli.
Also, I couldn't forget the fantastic title, made weird by the extraneous "h" at the end of the last name. If I remember correctly, a real life Mrs Ward heard about the movie's production and complained, thinking it might sully her reputation, so instead of choosing another name for the character, they merely added a letter that wouldn't change the pronunciation.
Aside from that, it's all pretty standard. There's a killer on the loose, and the ending packs in some double crosses that are kind of hard to swallow. There's no real suspense, and although the movie has the usual nudity and sex, no real eroticism.
It's also not that violent. "The Strange Vice of Mrs Wardh" may feature the single most unrealistic throat slashing I've seen in a movie. There's no attempt to simulate a wound, and there isn't even that much blood.
The movie is about the always captivating Edwige Fenech as the stupidly named Mrs Wardh-with an "H", who had a weird sadomasochistic relationship with a guy who looks like Buffalo Bill from "Silence of the Lambs", but ditched him for safety and monotony from an older, much more boring man. She starts getting anonymous letters about her "strange vice", and there's a killer on the loose.
As I said the typical giallo twists in the tail are a little hard to bear, the movie has little in the way of suspense, but it's always entertaining and Edwige Fenech is almost always worth watching in gialli.
Fantastic example of the Giallo genre!
jlabine4 November 2002
Sergio Martino's giallo masterpiece `The Strange Vice Of Mrs. Wardh' (also under the inferior titles: `Next Victim' or `Blade Of The Ripper') is one of the best films in the Italian cult genre. This was Sergio Martino's first (er..um..excuse the pun) stab at a Giallo thriller, and it's one that defines the genre as much as Argento's `The Bird With The Crystal Plummage'. Directed in 1970, Sergio Martino set the standard for Italian Hitchcockian slasher films. His use of fancy camera angles to explore the art of killing is quite entertaining while at the same time unsettling (an example of this, has a man being shot while we see it happen in the sunglasses of the killer). Sergio Martino also incorporates a surreal travelogue of exotic locations (all the characters seem to be on permanent holiday) and erotic imagery, which depicts the Italians as the ultra hip jet setters of the 70's. Mixing the seductive and intense music of Nora Orlandi with these visuals, the viewer is captivated by a darker attraction, which cannot be justified. The viewer is barraged with misogynistic violence and female cruelty, while simultaneously being lured into the debauchery setting through the lush veneer. The film also weaves a convoluted plot, that has more then one murderer (I counted four!), and everyone seems guilty. Fresh from the Spaghetti Western genre, actor George Hilton was beginning to make himself a name in the Giallo world. Though he'd previously been in `The Sweet Body Of Deborah', `The Strange Vice Of Mrs. Wardh' was a meatier role. This film would also be the first of several that paired George Hilton with Edwige Fenech, as they continued to be the tortured couple in various Giallo outings. As a couple, George Hilton and Edwige Fenech seemed to represent exactly where Italy was at in the 70's. They were completely hedonistic, beautiful, rich, sexy, and free with passion yet completely shallow. They maybe shallow, but they are still more beautiful and nicer then the victims around them. It's the cardboard beauty that is the allure, yet their characters are never allowed to develop to be anything more then pawns for the mystery at hand. They represent our shallow fantasies, and unreal nightmares they represent a dream state. Ever notice how the characters never converse, but rather make statements, it never feels real. Along the way, we are introduced to other characters played by genre regulars Ivan Rassimov and Alberto de Mendoza. The story proceeds with a killing of a prostitute in a car by a sex crazed maniac. Then it moves on to Julie Wardh (Edwige Fenech) a rich wife to an Ambassador Neil Wardh (Alberto de Mendoza) who is being harassed by her ex-boyfriend Jean (Ivan Rassimov) who used to violently have sex with her. At a party she meets George (George Hilton) a handsome playboy, who likes to drive fast on motorcycles and wear white leather fringed jackets and aviator sunglasses. Suddenly the sex crazed murderer begins to kill women around her, while psychologically torturing her. The film lifts a reference or two from Psycho (there's a shower murder) and other Hitchcock films, but one must realize that this film fits into a genre known as Giallo, which is unique in it's own way. Though homage is paid to American mystery films, these films are still very much a product of Italy. It's this very genre that influenced `Dressed To Kill' and other American slasher films, not the other way around. It's these films that have the stylistic flair, where the likes of DePalma learn their craft by stealing. Some call it Euro Trash, or exploitative, but they refuse to see the finer aesthetic of the film. It's really just exploring the art of murder. This film is a must see for fans of Italian genre cinema, and should be done in widescreen. Highly recommended!
Fine Italian-Spanish Giallo packed with thrills , chills , intrigue and plot twists
ma-cortes10 July 2011
Good Giallo full of vicious killings , suspense and eerie events . This genuinely mysterious story deals with the ambassador's wife (Edwige Fenech) who discovers that one of the men in her life - either her husband named Neil Ward (Alberto De Mendoza ) , a sadistic ex-lover named Jean (Ivan Rassimov) or her new lover named George (George Hilton ) , the handsome cousin of her friend Carol- may be a grisly serial killer . Several murders happen in Vienna with bloody and gruesome executions . There a razor wielding slasher is killing women and some clues seem to implicate about anybody are dying . Julie's husband Neil is away frequently , so George pours on the charm . She also meets both are newly rich , thanks to an uncle's death . Jean, her brutal previous lover , immediately contacts her , certain that only he can satisfy her strange vice , but she rejects him . Meanwhile , the series killer goes on a real massacre on various unfortunate victims as a woman is slashed , another attacked in her apartment. Slowly more people are found dead and a police inspector investigates the strange killings with numerous suspects . Heaven help whoever is... "Next!".Did you read about what happened to the poor girl in the shower?... Always unseen... unheard... until he reached out to touch and caress! He's out there killing them one by one...Who is next? .
Sergio Martino's great success is compellingly directed with well staged murders plenty of startling visual content , including translucently pale turquoises and shimmer red when the killings take place . This is a classic slasher where the intrigue , tension , suspense appear threatening and lurking in every room , corridors and luxurious indoors and outdoors . This suspenseful movie is with plenty of thrills , chills , high body-count and glimmer color during the murders in lurid pastel and deep orange-red with phenomenal results . The movie belongs to Italian Giallo genre that was created by Mario Bava along with Riccardo Freda (Secret of Dr. Hitchcock, The ghost , I Vampiri) , they are the fundamental directors of this peculiar style . These Giallo movies are characterized by overblown use of color with shining red blood, usual zooms , and utilization of images-shock . Later on , it appears the great Dario Argento (Deep red , Suspira , Inferno) , another essential creator of classic Latin terror films . Sergio Martino's so-so direction is skillfully crafted , here he's less cynical and more inclined toward violence and lots of killings . It's an Italian-Spanish co-production financed by Eduardo Manzanos Brochero , the reason for appearing Spanish actors as Manuel Gil , Alberto De Mendoza , Miguel Del Castillo and Italians as Edwige Fenech , Ivan Rassimov , among others . Colorful and evocative cinematography by Emilio Foriscot who photographed splendidly Vienna , Sitges , Barcelona, Catalunya , Spain . Very good and thrilling score by Nora Orlandi .
The picture was well directed by the prolific filmmaker Sergio Martino . Talented and versatile writer/director Sergio Martino has made a vast array of often solid and entertaining films in all kind of genres as horror, comedy , Western , and science fiction in a career that spans over 40 years . He was especially an expert on Western as proved in ¨Mannaja¨ and ¨Arizona returns¨ and Giallo as ¨The case of scorpion's tale ¨ , ¨Torso¨ ,¨The scorpion with two tales¨ and of course ¨The strange vice of Mrs Ward¨. Rating: Good , this is one more imaginative slasher pictures in which the camera stalks in sinister style throughout a story with magnificent visual skills.
Sergio Martino's great success is compellingly directed with well staged murders plenty of startling visual content , including translucently pale turquoises and shimmer red when the killings take place . This is a classic slasher where the intrigue , tension , suspense appear threatening and lurking in every room , corridors and luxurious indoors and outdoors . This suspenseful movie is with plenty of thrills , chills , high body-count and glimmer color during the murders in lurid pastel and deep orange-red with phenomenal results . The movie belongs to Italian Giallo genre that was created by Mario Bava along with Riccardo Freda (Secret of Dr. Hitchcock, The ghost , I Vampiri) , they are the fundamental directors of this peculiar style . These Giallo movies are characterized by overblown use of color with shining red blood, usual zooms , and utilization of images-shock . Later on , it appears the great Dario Argento (Deep red , Suspira , Inferno) , another essential creator of classic Latin terror films . Sergio Martino's so-so direction is skillfully crafted , here he's less cynical and more inclined toward violence and lots of killings . It's an Italian-Spanish co-production financed by Eduardo Manzanos Brochero , the reason for appearing Spanish actors as Manuel Gil , Alberto De Mendoza , Miguel Del Castillo and Italians as Edwige Fenech , Ivan Rassimov , among others . Colorful and evocative cinematography by Emilio Foriscot who photographed splendidly Vienna , Sitges , Barcelona, Catalunya , Spain . Very good and thrilling score by Nora Orlandi .
The picture was well directed by the prolific filmmaker Sergio Martino . Talented and versatile writer/director Sergio Martino has made a vast array of often solid and entertaining films in all kind of genres as horror, comedy , Western , and science fiction in a career that spans over 40 years . He was especially an expert on Western as proved in ¨Mannaja¨ and ¨Arizona returns¨ and Giallo as ¨The case of scorpion's tale ¨ , ¨Torso¨ ,¨The scorpion with two tales¨ and of course ¨The strange vice of Mrs Ward¨. Rating: Good , this is one more imaginative slasher pictures in which the camera stalks in sinister style throughout a story with magnificent visual skills.
A great example of the genre
bensonmum210 March 2006
The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh has just about everything a Giallo fan could ask for. All of the necessary ingredients are here: brutal murders, bizarre sex scenes, plot twists, interesting camera work, a nice score, and Edwige Fenech. - Brutal Murders: The killer uses a razor to slash his victims' throats to ribbons resulting in plenty of blood flow. - Bizarre Sex: I don't' know about you but beating the crap out of your partner prior to engaging in sex seems pretty bizarre to me. - Plot Twists: Just when you're sure you finally gotten a handle on the plot and solved the mystery, The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh gives you yet another twist to wrap your mind around. - Interesting Camera Work: The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh is a great looking film with unusual camera angle and lens choices. Visually, it's very pleasing. - A Nice Score: Even though composer Nora Orlandi's main theme is repeated throughout the film, I never get tired of hearing it. It's a hauntingly beautiful piece that helps set the mood of the film very well. - Edwige Fenech: The Queen of the Giallo.
The plot involves a crazed killer with an eye for women is on the loose. Julie Wardh (Edwige Fenech) is very much afraid because of the direct threats she has received from the killer. She's also convinced the killer is an ex-boyfriend. When the real killer is himself killed, that should put an end to Julie's fears. But it doesn't. The threats against Julie's life continue. I readily admit that there are plot holes big enough to drive a truck through and lapses in logic the size of the Grand Canyon, but that hardly matters when you're having this much fun with a movie. Blemishes and all, The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh is a great example of the genre and one of the reasons I keep seeking out these hard to find Italian gems.
The plot involves a crazed killer with an eye for women is on the loose. Julie Wardh (Edwige Fenech) is very much afraid because of the direct threats she has received from the killer. She's also convinced the killer is an ex-boyfriend. When the real killer is himself killed, that should put an end to Julie's fears. But it doesn't. The threats against Julie's life continue. I readily admit that there are plot holes big enough to drive a truck through and lapses in logic the size of the Grand Canyon, but that hardly matters when you're having this much fun with a movie. Blemishes and all, The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh is a great example of the genre and one of the reasons I keep seeking out these hard to find Italian gems.
This isn't the best but has a lot of Argento qualities from this era
kevin_robbins27 April 2022
The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh (1971) is currently available on Shudder. The storyline follows a woman cheating on her husband during a killing spree. She starts thinking either her husband or her lover is the killer and it's just a matter of time before she's the next victim. Is she right or is this the ultimate setup to get rid of one of her lovers?
This movie is directed by Sergio Martino (Hands of Steel) and stars George Hilton (Sartana's Here... Trade Your Pistol for a Coffin), Edwige Fenech (Hostel II), Conchita Airoldi (Torso), Manuel Gil (Code Name Jaguar) and Ivan Rassimov (The Humanoid).
This is a movie you have to be patient with. Initially the movie is filled with smoking hot Italian ladies that have lots of what seems to be pointless sex. As the serial killer become apparent there's some average kill scenes...then the end has a series of clever twists with some interesting killer reveals and scenes. The ending is really smart and comes together better than you expect.
Overall this isn't the best from its era but has a lot of Argento qualities from this era. I would score this a 6.5-7/10 and recommend giving it a shot.
This movie is directed by Sergio Martino (Hands of Steel) and stars George Hilton (Sartana's Here... Trade Your Pistol for a Coffin), Edwige Fenech (Hostel II), Conchita Airoldi (Torso), Manuel Gil (Code Name Jaguar) and Ivan Rassimov (The Humanoid).
This is a movie you have to be patient with. Initially the movie is filled with smoking hot Italian ladies that have lots of what seems to be pointless sex. As the serial killer become apparent there's some average kill scenes...then the end has a series of clever twists with some interesting killer reveals and scenes. The ending is really smart and comes together better than you expect.
Overall this isn't the best from its era but has a lot of Argento qualities from this era. I would score this a 6.5-7/10 and recommend giving it a shot.
Excellent Italian giallo!
HumanoidOfFlesh18 April 2003
A black gloved sex killer is on the loose,slaughtering women in Vienna.The American ambassador's wife(Edwige Fenech)begins to believe that he's targeting her when she receives a blackmail call and two of her friends get slashed."Lo Strano Vizio della Signora Wardh" aka "Blade of the Ripper" is an interesting Italian giallo with plenty of suspense and some gruesome killings.The score by Nora Orlandi is truly beautiful and there are some interesting visuals.There is also plenty of sleaze and nudity to satisfy fans of Italian cult cinema.Check it out.My rating:8 out of 10.
Definitey a watch - but it;s not one of the greats
ewolfw14 November 2020
A black gloved killer, semi-naked women slashed by a razor, police baffled. Twists and turns and roundabouts. We're deep in giallo territory here. It's a serviceable little film with all the hallmarks - bright red blood, closeups of eyes, men with bad wigs and aviators - but it also makes you realise the genius of Argento and Bava and even the bravura of Fulci.
it doesn't add up
dopefishie26 July 2021
This film has Sergio Martino's usual style with his usual cast members who all do great work here.
My issue is with the script. When all is said and done, it just doesn't add up - and that's a mortal sin for this genre.
It's still enjoyable and well-made. But it ultimately fails to make sense.
My issue is with the script. When all is said and done, it just doesn't add up - and that's a mortal sin for this genre.
It's still enjoyable and well-made. But it ultimately fails to make sense.
Beware, death don't hitchhike!!!
elo-equipamentos26 October 2022
Sergio Martino made one's best Giallo that I have seen lately, the plot is quite well-crafted mistaking the audience leading to believing that the serial killer at working would be the able to commit all murders, it's a key this puzzle when the main cast are among the next victims, also he imposes a deceitful title of movie which makes clear that Mrs. Wardh has a bad habit, what it would be?
The eye-candy Edwige Fenech enchants in every hot scene, displaying her gorgeous body into the fullness, in fact Martino sets out it with others girls without shame, the male cast centered in George Hilton and Ivan Rassimov draw attention of female viewers wisely, further Martino shot on location at Vienna firstly and later on Spain.
The magnificent backdrop ensures a multi interdimensional look through two so contracting countries, Vienna is bleak and dark, where the murders were committed, however at Spain is a pure sunshine at seashore landscape, a real pleasant picture with lavish sets among strong gore oriented plus sexploitation at its best, be ready to the final totally unexpected!!!
Thanks for reading.
Resume:
First watch: 2022 / Source: DVD / How many: 1 / Rating: 7.
The eye-candy Edwige Fenech enchants in every hot scene, displaying her gorgeous body into the fullness, in fact Martino sets out it with others girls without shame, the male cast centered in George Hilton and Ivan Rassimov draw attention of female viewers wisely, further Martino shot on location at Vienna firstly and later on Spain.
The magnificent backdrop ensures a multi interdimensional look through two so contracting countries, Vienna is bleak and dark, where the murders were committed, however at Spain is a pure sunshine at seashore landscape, a real pleasant picture with lavish sets among strong gore oriented plus sexploitation at its best, be ready to the final totally unexpected!!!
Thanks for reading.
Resume:
First watch: 2022 / Source: DVD / How many: 1 / Rating: 7.
50 Shades Of Edwige...
azathothpwiggins24 July 2023
THE STRANGE VICE OF MRS. WARDH is another classic giallo from Director Sergio Martino. The magnificent Edwige Fenech stars as Julie Wardh, a diplomat's bored wife who is haunted by her past affair with a sexual deviant. Meanwhile, a black-gloved serial murderer is carving up beautiful women nearby.
This is Ms. Fenech's movie and she's a true marvel, whether clothed or unclothed. Her icon status in this genre is beyond debate.
Loaded with mystery, suspense, bloody deaths, a variety of European locations, copious female nudity, and red herrings to distract us, this is among Mr. Martino's best efforts. The multi-twist finale is one for the ages!...
This is Ms. Fenech's movie and she's a true marvel, whether clothed or unclothed. Her icon status in this genre is beyond debate.
Loaded with mystery, suspense, bloody deaths, a variety of European locations, copious female nudity, and red herrings to distract us, this is among Mr. Martino's best efforts. The multi-twist finale is one for the ages!...
Subverting viewer expectations
capkronos31 July 2006
Warning: Spoilers
STRANGE VICE OF MRS. WARDH opens with a hooker getting slashed up in a car, followed by a Poe quote about "...generations of assassins for whom the love of murder was in the blood, as it perhaps is ours too." French beauty Edwige Fenech stars as Julie Wardh, a married woman living in Vienna with her older, continually busy stockbroker husband Neil (Alberto De Mendoza) and hiding secrets from her past. The main issue haunting her is her former lover Jean (Ivan Rassimov), who we learn in flashbacks is one sadistic SOB, beating Julie up, cutting her and forcing her to make love with broken glass in between them. Well, Jean has resurfaced in town and is starting to make his presence known. Julie's best friend Carroll (Cristina Airoldi) hosts a party, and there Julie meets Carroll's handsome, cocky cousin George Corot (George Hilton) and learns that both he and Carroll are sole heirs to a fortune left behind by their deceased uncle. Finding herself drawn to the dangerous Jean once again, Julie (bored and feeling neglected in her marriage) instead decides on an affair with George. And yeah, there's the razor-wielding, black-gloved sex killer running amuck in the city whose choice in victims strangely finds no class distinction (aside from the fact the victims are usually women who are usually naked).
Julie begins to think the culprit is someone she knows when she starts receiving threatening phone calls from someone disguising their voice and bouquets of roses with strange notes attached ("...your vice is a room locked from the inside and only I have the key.") Someone is also blackmailing her; 20 thousand schillings or they're going to tell her husband about the affair. Unwisely, Carroll decides to step in and help. She agrees to meet the blackmailer (all alone!) in a huge, almost vacant park/aviary and is slashed to death. Then Julie is attacked and almost killed in a parking garage (a good suspense scene), so she takes up George's offer to flee Vienna for a small coastal town in Spain before she becomes the next victim... but the killer follows the two there. Making things even more complicated, the two find Jean's dead body in a bathtub full of blood and learn that the serial killer stalking Vienna was simply an anonymous, unknown sick-o... So needless to say, there are several plot surprises coming during the last ten minutes or so.
Overall, a fairly well-made giallo worth watching, with a decent script, decent acting and pretty stylish presentation from director Sergio Martino, who'd go on to make around a half-dozen other similar films. However, I'd be lying if I didn't admit that it drags at times. There's actually more female nudity than gore (including a pointless bit where two girls in "paper dresses" rip each other's clothes off during a catfight) and the majority of the main characters are nasty, unlikable and self-absorbed, so it's tough to find someone decent to gravitate to. That aspect is at least partially offset by the occasionally astonishing location work (briefly used coastal locations in Spain and, especially, the Schonbrunn Park/Aviary), some good set-pieces and a few jolts or suspenseful moments... Plus some of the ugliest 1970s wallpaper known to man.
Originally released in the US as BLADE OF THE RIPPER; it was badly received by both critics and horror fans once this hacked-up, dark and badly transferred version was on home video. Another title using the censored, flat-looking print was THE NEXT VICTIM. So avoid any of those versions and head straight for the 2005 DVD release from No Shame. It looks great and has some very good extras, including the interesting 30-minute documentary DARK FEARS BEHIND THE DOOR, which features interviews with the director, producer Luciano Martino, scriptwriter Ernesto Gastaldi and stars Hilton and Fenech, the latter looking amazingly identical to the young actress who starred in this film 35 years ago. Apparently there's something in the water in Europe because many of these starlets who were popular in the 1970s don't look like they've aged a day. Other extras include the theatrical trailer, a poster/stills gallery and a 3-minute speech from the director when his movie played here just recently at the Venice Film Festival. You can also chose between an English dubbed version or an Italian language one with English subtitles.
Julie begins to think the culprit is someone she knows when she starts receiving threatening phone calls from someone disguising their voice and bouquets of roses with strange notes attached ("...your vice is a room locked from the inside and only I have the key.") Someone is also blackmailing her; 20 thousand schillings or they're going to tell her husband about the affair. Unwisely, Carroll decides to step in and help. She agrees to meet the blackmailer (all alone!) in a huge, almost vacant park/aviary and is slashed to death. Then Julie is attacked and almost killed in a parking garage (a good suspense scene), so she takes up George's offer to flee Vienna for a small coastal town in Spain before she becomes the next victim... but the killer follows the two there. Making things even more complicated, the two find Jean's dead body in a bathtub full of blood and learn that the serial killer stalking Vienna was simply an anonymous, unknown sick-o... So needless to say, there are several plot surprises coming during the last ten minutes or so.
Overall, a fairly well-made giallo worth watching, with a decent script, decent acting and pretty stylish presentation from director Sergio Martino, who'd go on to make around a half-dozen other similar films. However, I'd be lying if I didn't admit that it drags at times. There's actually more female nudity than gore (including a pointless bit where two girls in "paper dresses" rip each other's clothes off during a catfight) and the majority of the main characters are nasty, unlikable and self-absorbed, so it's tough to find someone decent to gravitate to. That aspect is at least partially offset by the occasionally astonishing location work (briefly used coastal locations in Spain and, especially, the Schonbrunn Park/Aviary), some good set-pieces and a few jolts or suspenseful moments... Plus some of the ugliest 1970s wallpaper known to man.
Originally released in the US as BLADE OF THE RIPPER; it was badly received by both critics and horror fans once this hacked-up, dark and badly transferred version was on home video. Another title using the censored, flat-looking print was THE NEXT VICTIM. So avoid any of those versions and head straight for the 2005 DVD release from No Shame. It looks great and has some very good extras, including the interesting 30-minute documentary DARK FEARS BEHIND THE DOOR, which features interviews with the director, producer Luciano Martino, scriptwriter Ernesto Gastaldi and stars Hilton and Fenech, the latter looking amazingly identical to the young actress who starred in this film 35 years ago. Apparently there's something in the water in Europe because many of these starlets who were popular in the 1970s don't look like they've aged a day. Other extras include the theatrical trailer, a poster/stills gallery and a 3-minute speech from the director when his movie played here just recently at the Venice Film Festival. You can also chose between an English dubbed version or an Italian language one with English subtitles.
Really great giallo
BandSAboutMovies19 October 2017
Sergio Martino's directorial efforts have run the gamut — from straight exploitation (Mondo Sex and Mountain of the Cannibal God, which features Stacy Keach and Ursula Andress, as well as real animal mutilation which we'd never endorse) to horror (Island of the Fishmen, which in addition to starring Barbara Bach and Joseph Cotten, was re-edited by Jim Wynorski and re-entitled Screamers), post-apocalyptic action (2019 After the Fall of New York and Hands of Steel, which is more Terminator rip off than Road Warrior), spaghetti westerns, crime dramas, war films, comedies and even Italian TV, where he's worked for the last several decades. But this week we're here to discuss his contributions to the world of giallo.
This is his first effort and the start of the ensemble case in which he'd use in his films. George Hilton would appear in four of his films, Ivan Rassimov in three and one of the queens of the giallo, Edwige Fenech, would star in three (in fact, she was married to Sergio's brother, the late producer Luciano Martino, at one time).
Julie Wardh (Fenech) is the wealthy heir to a retailing company. But she's also a fragile flower, back in Vienna, a city packed with memories and former lovers. She's married to Neil (Alberto de Mendoza from Horror Express and Lizard in a Woman's Skin), a man so wealthy and powerful that he leaves for business the moment they land.
As Julie rides alone in the rain, her car is stopped by the police who are on the hunt for a killer. The sound of the wiper blades reminds her of the last time she was here, recalling a vicious fight between her and a lover who repeatedly slapped her around before they made love in the rain. There's a gorgeous shot here at the end, where the lovers are to the left of the camera while rain descends on them, almost illuminating them and a sports card pushes into the right foreground. Compared to other giallo which seem content to merely ape Argento or seem like boring police procedurals, Martino aspires to art within his direction (which honestly is why this site is planning on a week of his films).
A green light and honking horns snap Julie from her reverie and she returns to her apartment, where she takes strange notice of a car. Her apartment has been left exactly as it was the last time she was here — it's a white pop art explosion of metallic, green and blue lines contrasted with oval windows — and just as she's getting ready to take a bath, the buzzer rings. A dozen roses with a note attached: The worst part of you is the best thing you have and will always be mine – Jean.
We cut to a party, where Caroll (Conchita Airoldi, who would go on to produce Cemetery Man) is trying to hook Julie up with her cousin George (George Hilton, All the Colors of the Dark, The Case of the Bloody Iris) as a catfight between two girls in paper dresses goes down. Tell you what — if I am to learn anything from giallo, it's that every party in 1970's Italy was packed with drugs, crazy music and the chance that anything from a fist fight to an orgy could happen at any minute. People had to be exhausted all the time. Jean (Ivan Rassimov from Planet of the Vampires, Your Vice is a Locked Door and Only I Have the Key, Eaten Alive!), the guy who sent the roses and was the man she remembered in the earlier flashback, is there extending a salute. This enrages Julie, who leaves the party, but he follows her into the street. He reminds her that she belongs to him, but she counters that she married Neil to escape him, which is cemented when Neil shows up and punches the dude. Jean just laughs, looking at both of them, knowing that he owns Julie body and soul.
Read more at bandsaboutmovies.com/2017/09/04/the-strange-vice-of-mrs-wardh-1971
This is his first effort and the start of the ensemble case in which he'd use in his films. George Hilton would appear in four of his films, Ivan Rassimov in three and one of the queens of the giallo, Edwige Fenech, would star in three (in fact, she was married to Sergio's brother, the late producer Luciano Martino, at one time).
Julie Wardh (Fenech) is the wealthy heir to a retailing company. But she's also a fragile flower, back in Vienna, a city packed with memories and former lovers. She's married to Neil (Alberto de Mendoza from Horror Express and Lizard in a Woman's Skin), a man so wealthy and powerful that he leaves for business the moment they land.
As Julie rides alone in the rain, her car is stopped by the police who are on the hunt for a killer. The sound of the wiper blades reminds her of the last time she was here, recalling a vicious fight between her and a lover who repeatedly slapped her around before they made love in the rain. There's a gorgeous shot here at the end, where the lovers are to the left of the camera while rain descends on them, almost illuminating them and a sports card pushes into the right foreground. Compared to other giallo which seem content to merely ape Argento or seem like boring police procedurals, Martino aspires to art within his direction (which honestly is why this site is planning on a week of his films).
A green light and honking horns snap Julie from her reverie and she returns to her apartment, where she takes strange notice of a car. Her apartment has been left exactly as it was the last time she was here — it's a white pop art explosion of metallic, green and blue lines contrasted with oval windows — and just as she's getting ready to take a bath, the buzzer rings. A dozen roses with a note attached: The worst part of you is the best thing you have and will always be mine – Jean.
We cut to a party, where Caroll (Conchita Airoldi, who would go on to produce Cemetery Man) is trying to hook Julie up with her cousin George (George Hilton, All the Colors of the Dark, The Case of the Bloody Iris) as a catfight between two girls in paper dresses goes down. Tell you what — if I am to learn anything from giallo, it's that every party in 1970's Italy was packed with drugs, crazy music and the chance that anything from a fist fight to an orgy could happen at any minute. People had to be exhausted all the time. Jean (Ivan Rassimov from Planet of the Vampires, Your Vice is a Locked Door and Only I Have the Key, Eaten Alive!), the guy who sent the roses and was the man she remembered in the earlier flashback, is there extending a salute. This enrages Julie, who leaves the party, but he follows her into the street. He reminds her that she belongs to him, but she counters that she married Neil to escape him, which is cemented when Neil shows up and punches the dude. Jean just laughs, looking at both of them, knowing that he owns Julie body and soul.
Read more at bandsaboutmovies.com/2017/09/04/the-strange-vice-of-mrs-wardh-1971
Promising giallo
Leofwine_draca11 October 2019
Warning: Spoilers
THE STRANGE VICE OF MRS WARDH is a promising giallo from prolific director Sergio Martino, with strong links to his two subsequent follow-up gialli: a note that Fenech receives reads 'YOUR VICE IS A LOCKED ROOM AND ONLY I HAVE THE KEY', the actual title of one of the follow-ups, while ALL THE COLOURS OF THE DARK was another similar offering that once again saw Fenech pursued by a manic Ivan Rassimov. STRANGE VICE isn't quite as good as either of those movies, but it's quite interesting to watch and shows plenty of the expected style. The stalwart Edwige Fenech is an effective and sympathetic lead, displaying strength and fragility together in her character, and the aforementioned Rassimov exceptionally creepy. George Hilton and Alberto De Mendoza (unrecognisable from his turn as psycho priest in HORROR EXPRESS) both offer strong support, and the requisite murders, including a homage to PSYCHO, play out with the usual morbid fashion. The twisty turny climax is particularly effective, but I think Martino spends a little too much time on the sex and eroticism here which comes at the expense of story, so this isn't a favourite.
Giallo essentials!
Coventry28 November 2005
The true golden years for Italian giallo-cinema only lasted less than a decade (approximately from 1965 to 1975) and after that it was only the acclaimed director Dario Argento who sporadically managed to deliver a good old-fashioned Italian murder mystery. Yet in this relatively short period, several directors were responsible for a huge amount of terrific gialli, with story lines going from basic to extremely absurd and complex. Sergio Martino's "The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh" is a simplistic example of the giallo-genre and perhaps that is why it still ranks amongst the best and most successful ones ever. This film pretty much defines the sub genre, with its detailed murders of beautiful women, innovating camera-work, gorgeous music and (most importantly) the exact right amount of plot-twists to keep the story believable and compelling. The story revolves on the unearthly beautiful Mrs. Wardh (giallo-star Edwige Fenech) who finds herself stalked by a black-gloved killer who already murdered some of her closest girlfriends. Mrs. Wardh is an easy target since her estranged husband is often away for diplomatic duties and her sexually perverted ex-lover Jean still regularly contacts her. She looks for shelter in the macho-arms of a new lover (George Hilton), but even he can't guarantee her safety, as the killer seems unstoppable. The amount of graphic murders is rather limited (especially compared with later, more infamous gialli) but they're nevertheless unsettling and extremely well shot. Even when there aren't any ladies being knifed to death, this is a very suspenseful thriller, most notably during the tense garage-sequence. Sergio Martino proves himself to be a master of cinematography, with original camera angles (scenes shot in the reflection of sunglasses or through the peephole of a hotel door) and enchanting outdoor locations (the murder in the park, the climax car chase). The flashback sequences, in which Mrs. Wardh revives her masochistic relationship with Jean, are almost pure poetry and guided by a wonderful Nora Orlandi score. The music is so good that no other than Quentin Tarantino re-used it for his 2004 masterpiece "Kill Bill Volume 2". The acting of the entire cast is far above average. Even the women, who're basically selected on looks because they appear topless, are very convincing. In case you developed an interest in Italian horror cinema, but don't yet know where to start your journey, this film is the ideal choice. In case you're already hooked on the obvious giallo-classics directed by Dario Argento and Mario Bava, "the Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh" (as well as every other film directed by Sergio Martino) almost becomes fundamental viewing.
Better than the Turkish remake.
BA_Harrison7 October 2017
Warning: Spoilers
A leather-gloved maniac is slicing up girls with an open razor. Married woman Julie (Edwige Fenech) finds herself menaced by the killer, but is the culprit her sadistic ex-lover Jean (Ivan Rassimov) or someone much closer to her (possible suspects including husband Neil and new lover George)?
Immediately prior to watching The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh, I saw the unofficial Turkish remake, Thirsty For Love, Sex and Murder, which replayed many of the Italian film's scenes verbatim. I was hoping that Sergio Martino's original would be a little more coherent (it runs about half an hour longer than its Turkish counterpart), and it is, but there are still a few moments that prevent it from being a truly great giallo—scenes that take quite a bit of swallowing.
Thankfully, 'The Strange Vice ' doesn't have the silly decapitated head trick that rendered the remake laughable, but the alternative is still pretty daft (how long did Jean have to lie in that bloody bath pretending to be dead before Julie and George found him?). Then there's the issue of Julie's plush, high spec apartment having a leaky, rusting radiator. The ending also stretches plausibility an awful lot, with Julie also playing possum in order to help catch the real villains. Still, at least this one offers up a whole lot of gratuitous nudity (a giallo staple) and violence, is better acted and far more stylish than 'Thirsty For Love ', the excellent cinematography and lush score making it both an audio and visual delight.
Fenech fans, of course, won't need convincing that the film is worthy of a watch: with the brunette beauty frequently stripping off, this one's a no-brainer for admirers of the Latin lovely.
Immediately prior to watching The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh, I saw the unofficial Turkish remake, Thirsty For Love, Sex and Murder, which replayed many of the Italian film's scenes verbatim. I was hoping that Sergio Martino's original would be a little more coherent (it runs about half an hour longer than its Turkish counterpart), and it is, but there are still a few moments that prevent it from being a truly great giallo—scenes that take quite a bit of swallowing.
Thankfully, 'The Strange Vice ' doesn't have the silly decapitated head trick that rendered the remake laughable, but the alternative is still pretty daft (how long did Jean have to lie in that bloody bath pretending to be dead before Julie and George found him?). Then there's the issue of Julie's plush, high spec apartment having a leaky, rusting radiator. The ending also stretches plausibility an awful lot, with Julie also playing possum in order to help catch the real villains. Still, at least this one offers up a whole lot of gratuitous nudity (a giallo staple) and violence, is better acted and far more stylish than 'Thirsty For Love ', the excellent cinematography and lush score making it both an audio and visual delight.
Fenech fans, of course, won't need convincing that the film is worthy of a watch: with the brunette beauty frequently stripping off, this one's a no-brainer for admirers of the Latin lovely.
Heady stuff indeed...
christopher-underwood29 May 2005
Wow! This one really moves, from the very beginning we are assaulted with seeming misogynist activity involving nakedness and blood. With barely time to breath we are drawn into a fast moving and shocking tale involving a knife slashing serial killer and the beautiful Edwige Fenech's real, imagined or remembered images of violent rape culminated in ecstatic sex. Heady stuff indeed and if that all were not enough Edwige seems unable to keep any clothes on for at least the first half hour. Things calm down a little for a while as we admire the fantastic set design and score at one moment threatening at another sweet and seductive and in accompaniment to the vicious rape scenes almost religious. We struggle to work out just who is killing who as the film turns into a thriller before the wonderful and exciting last part where the twists and turns are for once surprising and a joy to behold. Excellent. Not much finesse but everything else
Great Giallo!
KingM212 September 2005
Director Sergio Martino gives us a fine specimen of the giallo sub-genre with Mrs. Wardh (the "h" added on to avoid a real Mrs. Ward from receiving harassment!). Quite simply, it has most all the elements that a textbook giallo should have, right down to the black gloves, which are even a point of discussion in the movie. Another thing I enjoyed was the final (slightly rushed) 15 minutes, which really tightened up the movie as a whole. I guess that's how it should be though! The very attractive Edwige Fenech plays the leading lady and I must say, from the new interview extra on the DVD, she really has aged well. As is often the case with many of these cult gems, Tarantino's name pops up in an extra when Martino is introducing his movie to an audience at Cannes. I guess that's not too surprising though, as QT used the haunting theme of Mrs. Wardh in Kill Bill 2 (it plays over Budd's scenes when he's talking to Bill).
Decent Giallo and worth checking out. But slow, and very much like a soap opera. The story sucked.
Bababooe27 May 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Decent Giallo and worth checking out. But slow, and very much like a soap opera. The story sucked.
Decent Cinematography, Sets, Scenes, Acting, Music, but not great. Kills were OK, not very good.
The story sucked. Most of the playing time was boring, best part was when Fenech was being beaten and she liked it. And I'm not a fan of the stories wrapping up with a convenient back story at the end that no one can guess. But I guess that's what most giallo movies throw in. I can deal with that. But I cannot deal with Soap Opera. If it had superior cinematography, sets, scenes, acting and music, then I can handle the soap opera more. But it's not the case here.
I've just skimmed through 40 viewer reviews. Most of them give it a score of 7 to 10, saying it's a great movie. 2 or 3 can't stand it.
I've recently watched a few other movies by this director: Your Vice is a Locked Room, 6 stars. All the colors of the dark, 8 stars. Case of the Scorpion's Tail, 7 stars. So, he can produce a professional movie.
This movie is worth checking out. However, unfortunately, the rating is only a C, or 5 stars.
Decent Cinematography, Sets, Scenes, Acting, Music, but not great. Kills were OK, not very good.
The story sucked. Most of the playing time was boring, best part was when Fenech was being beaten and she liked it. And I'm not a fan of the stories wrapping up with a convenient back story at the end that no one can guess. But I guess that's what most giallo movies throw in. I can deal with that. But I cannot deal with Soap Opera. If it had superior cinematography, sets, scenes, acting and music, then I can handle the soap opera more. But it's not the case here.
I've just skimmed through 40 viewer reviews. Most of them give it a score of 7 to 10, saying it's a great movie. 2 or 3 can't stand it.
I've recently watched a few other movies by this director: Your Vice is a Locked Room, 6 stars. All the colors of the dark, 8 stars. Case of the Scorpion's Tail, 7 stars. So, he can produce a professional movie.
This movie is worth checking out. However, unfortunately, the rating is only a C, or 5 stars.
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