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A Blade in the Dark

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When the lights go out, the knife goes in.

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Back of Box:  Bruno (Andrea Occhipinti NEW YORK RIPPER) is hired to compose the music for a new horror movie and rents an isolated villa to concentrate on his work.  But when several beautiful young women are brutally murdered within the house, Bruno becomes obsessed with solving the savage crimes.  Is a clue to the killer's identity hidden within the film itself, or is there a more horrifying secret lurking deep in the dark?
 
Directed by Lamberto Bava and written by Dardano Sacchetti, this Italian shocker caused controversy throughout Europe due to its scenes of excessive violence. A BLADE IN THE DARK has been transferred from original vault materials and is now presented completely uncut and uncensored.
 
Plot:  This film spins quite a tale.  The story moves along decently well.  I will admit that there are a few places where things slow to a snail's pace, but the film manages to hold things together and recover.  It adds a few twists here and there and ends things with an enjoyable, downbeat "bang."  I like the film within a film aspect, added a little something for me. 
 
Acting:  The acting from lead man Bruno (Andrea Occhipinti), works well, to some degree.  Other notables include:  Julia (Lara Naszinsky), Tony Rendina (Michele Soavi), Sandra (Anny Papa).  Everyone else in the cast is pretty much there for their cheese appeal and death scene.   
 
GoreBody Count (6)  IMDb tells me, in their trivia section, that this film was originally made for T.V., but was considered too violent and turned into a full length film.  Well, I understand why.  The "bathroom" scene was almost too much for me to watch (ME, an extreme gore hound).  It's brutal.  Aside from that, various stabs, gashes, and cuts, along with a beating and a strangling.  Nice effects, great set-ups.
 
Suspense:  Many randomly tense, chill inducing scenes throughout.  They usually involve the killer slowly creeping around with a sharp object.  However, these scenes are made more chilling with the use of some wicked P.O.V.  The final chase must be commented on for it's entertaining cat and mouse antics. 
 
Directing:  I must say, Lamberto Bava knows what he's doing with a camera.  He used some of the most creative camera work I've ever scene.  He had great set-ups and he knew how to use P.O.V. well.  Not to mention the fun focus tricks and style points he gets for setting use.  Good man.
 
Tech:  This movie provides an insanely haunting score, complete with a relenting heartbeat.  I think the opening credits song (Pretty much the movie's theme song) is one of the most beautifully twisted songs I've ever heard.  The lighting also does a fine job providing this film with many lurking shadows. 
 
Other:  I liked the opening sequence and how it tied into the film.  Oh yes, the occupation of the lead character.  Bruno is a music composer, composing for a horror film.  I think film composers aren't given enough credit, let alone horror film composers, and I would like to thank this film for including that aspect.
 
 
 
****SPOILER****
 
I also want to comment on the ending and the use of a transvestite killer with an alter ego syndrome.  Nice.  Very Psycho-throwback, if you will.
 
****END SPOILER****
 
 
 
Final Word:  Flaws, every film has them, but if you're like me you learn to overlook those flaws and find the good.  Give it at least one watch, especially gore hounds (I'm telling you, "bathroom").  I don't think it will disappoint, but you can make up your own mind.  As for me, I'm not afraid to admit that I am a fan. 

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Don't Move, Don't Breathe, and Whatever You Do...DON'T LOOK BEHIND YOU!