(1974/ITALY)
AKA-DER TOD TRAGT SCHWARZES LEDER, LA POLIZIA CHIEDE AIUTO, CO-ED MURDERS, THE POLICE WANT HELP.
REVIEWED BY-STEVE GENIER DIRECTED BY-MASSIMO DALLAMANO CAST-GIOVANNA RALLI, CLAUDIO CASSINELLI, MARIO ADORF, FABIO FABRIZI, FARLEY GRANGER, MARINA BERTI and PAOLO TURCO. SOURCE-KOCH MEDIA DVD (PAL REGION 2 / 2005)
What can be said that hasn’t already been when it comes to this the second installment of three of this famed trilogy dubbed The School Girl trilogy. The first two helmed completely by one of Italy’s most under rated director Massimo Dallamano. Who also had a hand in the third and final film of the series, ENIGMA ROSSO, but only as a co-writer. This of course is due to his fatal car accident just before it’s production. Sad really as ENIGMA ROSSO is in fact the weakest of the three and it would have been something to see what approach Dallamano would have taken if had been able to direct it. WHAT HAVE THEY DONE TO YOUR DAUGHTERS? carries on in the same vein as the first film SOLANGE, giving us a cross between the classic giallo and laying it on the boundaries of solid crime drama. Though heightening it’s direct approach to the growing appeal of more graphic situations in gialli. Dallamano does this with sheer ease. Never abandoning the solid storyline and plot for the slaughter. In fact, he seems to thrive as the series goes along, this is why it’s a tragedy he was unable to see the light of day as the director of ENGIMA ROSSO. With a solid storyline, plot and graphic situations put in place, there are two more important factors that help if not in many cases guide this effective film. Those being the film’s array of acting and it’s score provided by Stelvio Cipriani.
First though we’ll dive into the heart of WHAT HAVE THEY DONE TO OUR DAUGHTERS? An like SOLANGE where the primary plot and storyline centers around the one girl, though there are many killing, they all pretty much revolve around her. Here, in the second installment, Dallamano broadens the involvement with several victims. Of course with our main killing at the start of Rosa who they find in an apartment to of apparently hanging herself. That would quickly be flattened as more evidence comes available. Finding out that in fact she was already killed and at a different location. Where of coarse that leads to yet more deaths. This is when the classic scenario kicks in where the killer starts covering up his tracks by brutally hacking up those who are a threat to his identity. Dallamano steers away from the usual giallo theories, though still employing many of them. Instead of driving the story forward by using the strength of the usual red herrings, he only employs but a few to help the story out.
As you get into the thick of the story and it’s plot, Dallamano brings in the mutli layered storylines which really show you his talents not just as a director, but as a screen writer as well. One of the more effective layers being that of Inspector Valentini played by Mario Adorf, who originally has the case but has to turn it over to homicide and Inspector Silvestri (Claudio Cassinelli) in an almost fore shadowing way. That being the daughter of Valentini being directly involved with a teen prostitute ring being uncovered. Of course a fear leading up to this is exposed when Valentini talks to Silvestri soon after homicide takes over the case. His thoughts to him is how frightening it is that the first girl killed, Rosa is the same age as his own daughter. Pretty much leading the viewer into guessing what might happen later in the story’s development. Once the ring is exposed, the clues being to pour in. Still, Dallamano manages to keep the identity of the killer pretty much hush hush right up until the end. Sure there are many viewers that might guess as to who it really is, but it is still a good surprise who it really is.
Once again much like in SOLANGE, Dallamano is able to cast a solid cast of actors who can pull off some great performances. This time with a cast like this in WHAT HAVE THEY DONE..the stakes have risen even more with complete performances from Cassinelli, Ralli and although his role is reduced a little, Mario Adorf. It’s interesting how Dallamano decides to show great involvement in the progression of the case with the assistant attorney Stori (Giovanni Ralli). That and of course it being a female, not saying it’s wrong, just shocking for it’s time and place. Something I’m sure that was done very much on purpose to tweak a few heads. This was not the only reason for this obviously as he uses this as another source of fore showing. Eventually, Stori becoming directly involved as she herself is attacked and becomes a lucky victim. Interesting how things play out, but all for the good of the film of course. Her performance as the assistant district attorney is with a great range.
From becoming a person seemingly in control to losing it to the hands of killer at large. Her range of emotions displayed spread like wildfire with each different scene she’s involved with. Still. Nothing beats her in-pending doom scene being chased in an underground parking lot by the motorcycle killer. Her expression as she witnesses the brutal slaying of her driver is enough to send anyone weak in the stomach running for cover. This is only but a touch of the scale of the performances put in by the lead roles. Claudio Cassinelli is another reason why this film is much more complete then it’s predecessor. His character of lead investigator for these brutal slayings, shows complete composer at least for the most part. Relentless in pursuit, even if breaking a few rules in order to get to the monster behind the senseless killings. Cassinelli’s casting in this role was certainly the perfect fitting even though I’m a huge fan of Adorf. Speaking of Adorf, he’s no small fry in this film either. Though given a smaller part, it’s no less important and his talents show just this. Like any parent, his passion to find the murderer of a young women is both an added bonus and yet clouding factor for his ultimate judgment. This is seen directly through Dallamano eyes, as he brings this factor to the forefront both by using it as another very important story element and a more important moral judgment. Excellent outing once again by an actor who always flourishes in the shadows of others.
With all of these reasons set aside, all of course positive and rightfully so, the main attraction to this film for me is the music score provided by Stelvio Cipriani. Of course, not knocking the excellent work put in by it’s director, crew and cast, but this is certainly the most solid pieces of work ever given by Cipriani. Right from the get go, his use of melody is unforgettable leaving an imprint in your memory. It’s range of emotion and directness leaves you thinking of fondness, of course that my sound morbid given the film’s nature, but it’s true. After 20 odd years of first seeing this film, the score remains to be one of my all time favorites. As with many elements, a great score leaves a lasting impression.
This recent Koch Media release is certainly the cream of the crop. Though it’s short on extras, the feature is presented quite nicely indeed. Presented in an anamorphic 16X9 wide-screen print one that is seemingly uncut and surely crystal clear. With the cleanly restored picture comes three audio options to choose from, though I would suggest viewing this in it’s original Italian audio with English subtitle for full effect. All audio options are presented in 2.0 Dolby Digital and all sound quite clear. The only extras provided on the disc are three different trailers, the UK trailer, Italian trailer and the German trailer. With the trailers there is also a small photo gallery to look through. The disc is packaged quite nicely as well, though the booklet’s information is all in German, this is still well worth the price indeed. The most important aspect of this release is the DVD’S print feature. Koch have seem to have taken great lengths in it’s restoration and presentation. That along is enough a warranted purchase for a classic giallo.
STORY/FILM-4/5 BITCH SLAPS PICTURE-4.5/5 BITCH SLAPS AUDIO-3.5/BITCH SLAPS EXTRAS-3/5 BITCH SLAPS OVERALL DVD-4/5 BITCH SLAPS You can purchase this from X-Ploited Cinema
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