Torso
Directed by Sergio Martino
A sexy student is stalked by a serial strangler in this classic from the grand giallo duo, director Sergio Martino and writer Ernesto Gastaldi. Art student Jane (Suzy Kendall) becomes the target of a killer when she realizes she saw something that could unmask his identity. Jane and her friends set out for a remote villa where they hope to hide out until the killer is caught. Naturally, things don’t go according to plan. A favorite of director Eli Roth, this chilling horror hit laid the groundwork for the US slasher genre. Essential viewing for giallo enthusiasts.
Sergio Martino’s giallo classic follows a sexy student stalked by a mad strangler.
Cast: Suzy Kendall, Tina Aumont, Carla Brait, Luc Merenda
Member Reviews
Fabulous giallo!
This film is bathed in sex and nudity more than expected. Even though at times the film tries to make it more artistic but still feels excessive. This should be a teenage boy’s dream in the 1980s and 1990’s before the internet came forward. This is the type of foreign film you were hoping to catch on cable television that the TV guide said contained nudity and sexual situations but was usually more on the artistic side. This film is more a murder mystery slasher where most of the characters who survive are suspects. The actors playing college students in this movie all look way too old, but that is to be expected. In living up to the film’s title, the killer carved up their victims after death. The film makes it feel fetishistic. As the camera and the killers’ hands Roam the victim’s naked body Usually the torso before dissecting it and poking out the eyes. (Trust me the violence sounds worse in the description than what is shown) other times the camera lingers on the actress’s beauty also bodies. As a product of The Times when it was released the film is definitely misogynistic. As most of the victims are female and the male victims are either afterthoughts or killed more aggressively and gruesomely. The male characters’ attitudes towards women are just as gruesome. The final reveal is so ridiculous. As usual with a bit of a far-fetched initial motive for the killer. As the film seems to maleness the death scenes more iconic while the Women look to live up to the killer’s view of them As living dolls. With a happy-go-lucky soundtrack and each death explained except for the one person of colors. Who the film leaves as more of a discarded accessory’s. As they all gawk and the female characters are mo resemble fashion models at the time. The film also has the male characters have ugly attitudes towards women. So that each seems like they could be the Killer. No matter how minor the character. Though her crime might be that she is a lesbian also for the film. It offers very fun surprises and almost seems to get tired of creating more elaborate Murders. Also seems that some characters are added to only be victims and up the body count as well as seem fairer in the number of male viewers
Excellent giallo! So glad we got subs and not a bad dub.
In between the excessive boobage there is a load of really well paced tense scenes involving the killer and impressive camera work. I really enjoyed the movie. Some strange ADR, plot holes and seemingly the only reason you can't identify the killer immediately is because everyone is horny, all the time!
Great Giallo! If you like nude beautiful women and kills, this movie is for you!