With the upcoming re-release of Torso (Blue Underground) just around the corner, I decided to start a series of articles spotlighting members of the international horror community. My intention with these articles will be to shed some light on figures who are not as well known to the casual fan as perhaps their more famous peers. The director of Torso, Sergio Martino, was my obvious first choice.
Martino was born in Rome on July 19th,1938. The movie bug obviously ran in the family; Martino's grandfather Gennaro Righelli was a director and his older brother, Luciano, a producer. Sergio's biggest break seemingly came when he handled the chores of second unit director on Mario Bava's Whip And The Body. From there, he went on to make a succession of stylish films in several different genres. His earliest films in the Giallo mode are, in my opinion, his finest directorial efforts. Below is a very brief summary of these movies that will hopefully peak your interest.
The Case Of The Scorpion's Tail (1971) - After Lisa's husband dies in a plane crash, she stands to inherit a million dollars. Corpses begin to pile up and Lisa herself is soon found murdered. The money disappears and the blood soaked puzzle begins to unravel.
The Strange Vice Of Mrs.Wardh (1971) - A viscous sex murderer is on the loose in Vienna and Julie Wardh fears the culprit is her ex-lover. As the killer seemingly begins to target Julie, a rich playboy offers her an escape from the city. Can anyone truly be trusted in this landmark giallo?
Your Vice Is a Locked Room And Only I Have The Key (1972) - The plot for this film is borrowed from Poe's The Black Cat and follows a burned-out writer's descent into insanity. After one of his mistresses is found brutally murdered, things begin to get interesting in yet another fine example of the genre.
All The Colors Of The Dark (1972) - After losing her unborn child in an auto accident, a woman suffers violent nightmares and visions of a man with a knife. She meets a mysterious woman who offers to help her through the use of black magic. This, of course, only worsens her condition and sends her into a hallucinogenic nightmare. This film is along the same lines as Rosemary's Baby and strays away from some of the conventional Giallo trappings to great effect.
Torso (1973) - After a series of murders at a college campus, four co-eds retreat to an isolated country villa. When the girls begin to get picked off one-by-one, it becomes obvious that the killer has followed them. This is one of the earlier body-count films that helped set the stage for the slasher explosion in the 80's.
Martino, like many Italian horror directors, relied on a core group of actors and actresses to carry his films. These early works feature the acting talents of George Hilton, Edwige Fenech, Anita Strindbeg, Ivan Rassimov, Suzy Kendall, and Evelyn Stewart. Screenwriter Ernesto Gastaldi was also instrumental. Although pretty much relegated to television after the collapse of the Italian horror industry, one look at the films mentioned above will make you realize what a shame that is. Martino was a masterful director who, when on top of his game, rivaled the output of his fellow countrymen. These films all feature outstanding camera work, acting, scores, and screenplays. If you like a little mystery to go with your black gloves and straight razor, I highly recommend you check these titles out.
Other notable films: The Island of the Fishmen, Big Alligator River, The Scorpion With Two Tails, Slave of the Cannibal God, The Violent Professionals, 2019: After the Fall of New York.
Global Horrors: Sergio Martino
