Hottoceame The Age of Commercialism

Siflutter It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

Verity Robins Great movie. Not sure what people expected but I found it highly entertaining.

Mathilde the Guild Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

Scott LeBrun Reasonably engaging Giallo from co-story author / director Dario Argento (his second feature film as director) is certainly watchable. It stars American actors James Franciscus and Karl Malden. Franciscus plays a stubborn, determined reporter and Malden a blind, retired newspaper man who loves solving a good puzzle. So it's reasonable that they should join forces when a supposed "theft" takes place at a genetic research facility, and one of its scientists is murdered shortly afterwards. Among the characters encountered by our hero Franciscus is an enchanting young lady (Catherine Spaak), daughter of a corporation bigwig.Overall, this is a decent story, although those of us who love Argentos' work from this period don't enjoy them for the stories so much as his virtuoso filmmaking. And from a technical aspect, this is well done, with especially impressive camera work. Although dull and draggy at times, with a none too compelling romantic subplot, Argento and company manage to keep you watching. The characters aren't sketched out very much but the cast still does their absolute best with what they've got. The handsome Franciscus and the delightful Malden (who's a standout) are fun to watch. Pier Paolo Capponi (as the standard police inspector character you always get in films from this genre), Horst Frank (as a scientist), Rada Rassimov (as a murder victims' widow), and Aldo Reggiani (as the young Dr. Casoni) are effective in their supporting roles. Cinzia De Carolis is an appealing and convincing child actress, playing Maldens' niece.The location work, widescreen photography, and wonderful Ennio Morricone music are all particularly strong elements. While "The Cat O'Nine Tails" does get fairly violent, it's not nearly as gory as some of Argentos' later work. It can also boast a well staged action climax.This viewer wouldn't quite consider this essential viewing for newcomers to the Giallo genre, but it's worth a look see for fans of the cast and filmmaker.Seven out of 10.

Giallo Fanatic But I found this to be a tad boring compared to the rest of the 'Animal Trilogy'. It is not bad but it is not great either. It is still memorable though. I often play the music Ennio Morricone made for this movie in my head. There is something very haunting about this movie's soundtrack. (Well, quite honestly, much of the music in Argento's movies are haunting). It is a very atmospheric music. The POVs of the killer are also quite memorable, it made it feel like you were not only witnessing murder on screen but were taking part in it. Regarding the murders in this movie they are not as flamboyant as they usually are compared to Argento movies. Some might say a little boring. But although they are not as violent or as flamboyant I still find them to be uncomfortable. But what it lacks in violence it makes up for in atmosphere with its images and music. It is a more subtle atmosphere, not as outrageous or as otherworldly as the other movies Dario made. It also has a simpler story and simpler plot. Although simple, it surprisingly is not easy to figure out what is going in the movie. I admit I missed many of the subtleties the first time I saw it. But it was my first Giallo and my second movie of Argento (my first was 'Phenomena') and honestly it left me with a kind of poor impression. But as time went on and I became more familiar with the Giallo sub genre it grew on me.Plot: who is the killer?, writer/director: Dario Argento, year of release: 1971, genre: thriller, themes: secrecy, violence, despair and inquisitiveness. Summary: a blind former reporter teams up with a reporter to solve the murder of a man whose secret got him murdered. In doing so, also becomes the target of the killer who is ready to kill anyone who stands in his way. I would say this is one of Dario's more politically correct movies. If not the most politically correct. I did not find it to be as thought provoking as, say 'The Bird with the Crystal Plumage'. Or 'Four Flies on Grey Velvet'. Which might have led to Dario calling it his most boring movie to date. I have not seen all of his movies but so far I agree with him. But it is still a good movie. Also I want to mention Karl Malden, his presence in the movie overshadowed the performance of James Franciscus. James is no way a bad actor but he seemed more like a side character in the presence of Karl Malden's character 'Cookie'. I normally don't mention much of the performances of the actresses and actors in an Argento movie since they are not as important as what Dario wants to communicate. But here I felt I had to make an exception and mention Karl Malden.Interesting story, subtle plot and atmosphere. An amazing Karl Malden but with a tendency to drag a little and not so focused plot I will rate this movie 7/10. Worth watching and adding to a Cultist's shelf. Recommended to watch for anyone with an interest in thriller /mystery and the Giallo sub genre.

LeonLouisRicci Great Directors can Suffer from Self Comparison among the General Public and Ardent Fans. That is, a Particular Movie is Compared to the Auteur's Other Work and Not the Work of Others. Such has been the Case with this one, the Director's Second Film where He is Obviously Finding His Niche and has yet to Develop the Pure Style and Momentum of His Later Work.Fans are Divided on this one and if Viewed in Context with the Filmography one can see Why. The biggest Problem, if Someone is Looking for a Problem, is the Pacing. It Tends to Linger and Drag in Spots. It's also fairly Long and that Doesn't Help. But there are enough Scenes of Excellence and the Plot, while a bit Dense, is Intriguing.The Train Platform Scene, among others, are Unmistakably Argento and the Odd Music can Unsettle in Parts. James Franciscus and Karl Malden are better than OK and the Little Girl is more than Fine. Argento Newbies, Do Not Start Here! This one takes some Patience and the Director has said it is one of His Least Favorites, perhaps His Worst. But even His Worst is Better than Most. Definitely Worth a Watch even for Casual Fans and Argento Cultists will want to see it for an Example of His Early Work and for Comparison.

blanche-2 Unlike all the Dario Argento fans who obviously want to seek out this film, I watched it because it has the late James Franciscus in color. Now you're talking.Alas, that wasn't enough to make me think "Cat o'Nine Tails" was any good.Part of the problem for me is that I don't like dubbed films, and I had the distinct impression that some of these actors were dubbed. They sounded dubbed. Also, it's hard to buy Karl Malden as an Italian named Franco Arno, though he was very good.Arno, now blind, is retired and lives with his young niece. He writes crosswords now. While walking with his niece near the Terzi Institute, he overhears a conversation in a car that piques his interest.On the same night, the institute is broken into, though it doesn't appear anything was taken. Then one of the researchers is pushed in front of a train and killed. The police believe it to be an accident, but Arno's niece recognizes the man killed as one of the people in the car.Franco contacts Carlo Giordano (Franciscus) and the two bond and start investigating together. Blowing up the photo, the train death is clearly seen as murder, though the photographer is killed and the photo disappears.The Terzi Institute is researching a drug that concerns the XYY chromosome, often associated with violent behavior. But who is responsible for the murders? There are nine people, items, or circumstances that demand investigation: The five investigators in the lab, the stepdaughter of Terzi, Anna Terzi, the fiancée of Dr. Calabresi, Bianca Merusi; the missing photograph; and the robbery of the institute.I didn't think this was very well done. I take it Catherine Spaak was supposed to be a knockout. I found her odd looking - mainly I think she just had a very dated look.James Franciscus died at the age of 57 of emphysema. In the mid-'80s he formed Omnibus Productions and produced adaptations of many classic novels as films -- Heidi, David Copperfield, The Red Pony, and also wrote a film, 29th Street, starring Anthony LaPaglia, Danny Aiello, and Lainie Kazan. Died way too young. "Cat o'Nine Tails" was one of several films he did overseas.Argento himself didn't like this film, though I believe it's a big rental in Italy. With the Italian dialogue, perhaps it's less awkward.