From the director of The Possessed, Luigi Bazzoni comes this twisted giallo tale. It is actually more a serial killer thriller that stands up to the time, genre and the imitations that flooded the film landscape at the time. A brutal assault ruptures a New Year’s eve celebration. Andrea Bild (Franco Nero, Django) a journalist and drunk, wants to explore the case. He seems to be turning up nothing. The killer is a faceless entity. Before long, the maniac attacks another victim, this time it ends in murder. Andrea now falls under the suspicion of the police. He has to find a way out of this trap. He wants to crack the case before he is arrested for it. There is a clue that lies in a series of black gloves found at the location of every attack, each with a finger cut off.

Giallo is an interest of mine. I love some of the works that are figureheads of the film. It might not be at the same level as the contributors on the disc, Travis Crawford, Michael Mackenzie or Rachael Nisbet. They are all equally amazing in their takes on the films aspects of creation. The reason I mention this first is simply that I can add little to the conversation. This is a superb film. This is a superb Giallo genre piece. This is also a superb reflection of a serial killer film, that can be viewed as permiating many of the genres notes. From SILENCE OF THE LAMBS to CRIMINAL MINDS. The notes here are defused with an insight into the human mind and the genre conventions. The script zings with this. It zips along with the sexual direction of the age. Luigi Bazzoni (as noted by Travis Crawford) is bold, brilliantly constructed, rich with detail (noted by Rachael Nisbet, whose work on the mise en scene of architecture is fantastically informed.)

THE DISC

I have seen the Blue Underground DVD of THE FIFTH CORD. That was cleaned up but lacked focus and clarity. It felt flat. The Arrow version is nicer. Warmer tones. Cleaner. There is little wear. Projected it looks lush.

EXTRAS

What we can say about these? Top three. Commentary by critic Travis Crawford is the starting place. Examining the film in context and creative thought. Lines and Shadows by critic Rachael Nisbet. Nisbet is exceptional. Understanding the visual value of the work. Rare, previously unseen deleted sequence, restored from the original negative. Wonderful if you like to see more.

SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS