jan onderwater
Those who think that in the 60's Austrian cinema only produced cheap comedies and Heimatfilms, better watch this film: an outrageous, wonderfully politically incorrect, exploitive and bizarre shocker, a real curiosity made by triviality director Eddy Saller (his first). It concerns a man who kills women because, as his lawyer says, he was not loved by his mother and in his puberty he was dismissed by girls as sexually unattractive; in short: it all broke the poor man's heart. And when ever he meets too inviting women now, showing their attractions, well, you see, it is the urge then, he just cannot control himself; it is, as the title says, the torment of the flesh.Of course it is hilarious to know that he has the most inappropriate job as a piano player - with incredibly limited repertoire - in a night-club and with a lingerie show; this lingerie, by the way, is wonderful: look out for the lingerie set called "O Là Là". And when ever he is ready for another killing, well, well, the ladies have the urge to undress first. It is all the ladies' own fault, isn't it, as Eddy Saller shows us: why walk about in mini skirts? why wear tight ballet suits? why take a shower naked? And then these advertising posters with half naked girls! These are things simply not done, are they? No wonder the man gets excited too much.The man is played hilariously and brilliantly wooden by Herbert Fux (I especially liked his "Hmmm" as answer to : "You must have iron nerves"), while the rest of the cast is a good match; the ladies are attractive and charming Paula Elges shows some real acting talent (luckily not too much). The complete original (!), mostly easy tune soundtrack could fit on an old-fashioned 45rpm single, and not to be missed is a song called "Das sind die Hula-Mädchen von Hawaii", while with a song called "Buona Notte, Signorina" Saller creates a superb, cynic moment.Eddy Saller was nicknamed "The Russ Meyer of Austria", but I think that Saller was a much better director: he directs with guts and comes up with a very atmospheric and well-paced film, not always exciting perhaps, but huge fun. It is only the sequence in the Playboy bar that takes too long. Saller is supported by very well-done b&w cinematography and editing.What you see here is an adaptation of an average, illustrated sex-murder booklet, mostly sold under the counter in the 50's and 60's, but an adaptation that makes a very good film. They just do not make them like this anymore.
