TENEBRE (1982)
Starring Anthony Franciosa and
Christian Borromeo Solid Argento giallo film is
hampered by a weak performance by Franciosa as the American mystery writer who, during a
visit to Rome, gets embroiled in a series of murders based on his latest book,
"Tenebre." Like all the killers in
Argento films, this one wears black leather gloves and is played by Argento himself (until
the character's true face is revealed). The real highlight of this
film is the rock soundtrack by three former members of the band Goblin (who scored
Argento's "Supsiria" and "Deep
Red"). Fans of their work should be thrilled by it. The film was originally
released on tape in the U.S. in a heavily edited and almost incomprehensible version
called "Unsane." Anchor Bay released an uncensored version of the film, under
its original title, in 1999. Highly recommended for any of
Argento's fans, but mainstream audiences may not grasp the appeal.
Directed by Dario Argento
The ending is a bit silly and
confusing, but Argento, as usual, delivers the proceedings with plenty of style—and
gore. This film features what is easily the bloodiest axe murder ever filmed. There are
also some wild dream sequences featuring the murder of a mysterious woman wearing bright
red shoes. The woman is played by real-life transsexual Eva Robbins, who was a Bond girl
in "For Your Eyes Only." Amazingly, you can't tell that she used to be a man
from her scenes here, despite ample nudity.
