(1975/ITALY)
AKA:MORTE SOSPETTA DI UNA MINORENNE
REVIEW BY-STEVE GENIER CAST-CLAUDIO CASSINELLI, MEL FERRER, LIA TANZI, GIAFRANCO BARRA, PATTRIZIA CASTALDI, ADOLFO CARUSO, ALDO MASSARO, JENNY TAMBURI and BARBARA MAGNOLFI. SOURCE- SAZUMA (AUSTRIA) ADVANCED DVD (PAL REGION 2 / 96MINS / 2006)
Marisa, a young woman forced into prostitution flees for her life as she carries secrets that can’t be revealed at any costs. She runs into a dance club where detective Paolo Germi (Claudio Cassinelli) is deep undercover spots her. He approaches her, only at first having her denying him until she sees a mysterious man with sunglasses who is seemingly after her. She panics and changes her mind in concerns to Paolo’s attention, wanting more as if they were there together. Though only short lived as Marisa figures she has eludes the perpetrator and runs, only to be killed by this mysterious man blocks away in a rooming house. The news has Germi wanting to get to the bottom of her death as his current investigation leads him onto the same path with some dangerous questions of connections in high place. Questions that may put his own life on the line.
Certainly one of director Sergio Martino’s more awkward entry into the wonderful world of the giallo. By awkward, I mean it’s well balanced mixture of several genres pulled into a basic thriller. Though seemingly setting out to be a well played giallo/poliziotteschi, Martino eases in some sharp humor to give the story line a broader scope or a certain dimension much different to the giallo norm. Still, the stronger direction of SUSPECTED DEATH is much like a classic giallo of the early 70's, a pace started pretty much from Dario Argento with such films as BIRD WITH THE CRYSTAL PLUMAGE and PROFONDO ROSSO.
Even the score attached to SUSPECTED DEATH is very much like that of Goblin, progressively driven and performed admirably by Luciano Michelini who pretty much worked exclusively with Martino. The score also like the story goes off into this slight tangents that adds total fullness not only to the score, but to the overall feeel of the film itself. So in essence you get the you get the picture as to how well paced the over film is. Of course that must include a well scripted storyline and from none other then Ernesto Gastaldi (ALMOST HUMAN, VIOLENT PROFESSIONALS) who is a sure shot for over the top action and suspense. All of which is well formatted in SUSPECT DEATH. Brilliant pacing which like mentioned above which integrates thick suspense, white knuckle action with touches of humor really display Martino’s directorial abilities. Of course also keeping you interested in the film as well.
As Martino points out in the interview provided in the disc’s extras, it’s really quite nice to see a fresh face in this genre as well. Though Martino really didn’t have a choice in the matter as the offerings were slim due to many factors including budgetary. Still, the casting of Claudio Cassinelli was the right move on all levels. His demeanor really gave a lot to his overall performance, which I might add was really quite convincing. Especially in the action scenes where one would typically think an actor of such stature just wouldn’t do. This would be the start of a series of films that Martino would direct Cassinelli and bringing a whole new dimension too, it also brought them together as good friends in really life up until Cassinelli’s death in 1985.
There is also one other casting choice I wanted to bring to light, one that gets little exposure at all really. That being the casting of a very young and very beautiful Barbara Magnolfi (SUSPIRIA). Though she is only present for a few scenes, none the less those scenes are crucial to the overall storyline. For it being her first major acting role as well, she really is a scene stopper in more then just one way too. For those unfamiliar with her, she plays the prostitute that Germi sets up for a meeting at a hotel with his fake rich employer, eventually leading him to the man his seeks. Barbara is best known for her role in Argento’s SUSPIRIA as the pesty Olga.
Fans rejoice as finally Martino’s rarely seen SUSPECTED DEATH OF A MINOR is now on the digital format. First a huge thanks must go out to those who have taken the huge risk in bringing such a film, Sazuma. They have done a magnificent job in restoring the print along with a pretty respectable overall DVD offering. You know right from the beginning with the introduction of the main feature from the director himself, Sergio Martino. You are in for a great DVD offering. The print itself is presented in a almost stunning anamorphic wide-screen upgrade (16:9/2.35:1) which is really very clean. The audio is just as good, presented in either it’s original Italian 2.0 Dolby Digital with optional English, Dutch or German subtitles to choose from.
The extras though the list is short, that is all thrown away when you are treated to a 20 odd minute interview with Sergio Martino alone. Discussing in great details his experience of getting SUSPECTED DEATH OF A MINOR together. Though, those who have experienced Martino before while in an interview will also share surrounding memories as well, which is rather interesting as it’s lets the fans dive even if it’s just for a moment of two into the a world that is so foreign to many yet is so fond. Along with the interview, you are also treated to watching the film with an audio commentary from film critics Christian Kessler and Robert Zion. I’m not much for audio commentaries, but for facts about the film, it’s a rather interesting listen. Also with the extras, there is the film’s Italian trailer, poster gallery and DVD credits. So, if you aren’t multi-region, I suggest you get you ass of the ground and do so, grabbing this release in the process.
STORY-4.5/5 BITCH SLAPS PICTURE-4/5 BITCH SLAPS AUDIO-3.5/5 BITCH SLAPS EXTRAS-3.5/5 BITCH SLAPS OVERALL DVD-3.5/5 BITCH SLAPS Purchase this DVD from X-Ploited Cinema
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