The Case of the Bloody Iris (1972)

SERIOUSLY. This is what the crap Hollywood still puts out?

The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

***SPOILERS*** Italian bloody Giallo film with a bit of bite to it in the killers reasons for doing in his victims for both personal as well as family concerns. There's also the police chief Commissor Enci who's more interested in his stamp collection then in finding the killer who seems to be a tenant of a high rise building where the first two murders in the movie were committed. It's Jennifer who seems to be the target of the killer who's ex-husband Adam was the head of this sex cult that she was a member of. Adam for his part after trying to bring his ex-wife back into the cult is himself murdered by the masked killer who also goes so far as murdering Jennifer's room-mate Marilyn-while not wearing his mask-in broad daylight in front of dozens of people without anyone being able to see or recognize him.It's now up to the building architect the fainting at the sight of blood Andrea Barto who for some reason is the #1 suspect in these bloody murders-with the exception of that of lady wrestle Mizar who was drowned in her bathtub-who's not only on the run from the police but determined to find the real killer in order to exonerate himself of the crimes.****SPOILERS****Wild life and death struggle at the top of a 20 floor staircase between Barto and the killer with a terrified Jennifer whom the killer was really after looking on and unable to help. The deranged killer by now completely losing it, that his both grasp of the situation as well as the stair rail, ends up falling to his death in spectacular fashion. Meanwhile Barto ends up not only exonerated of the killer's slew of murders but also seemed to have, through shock treatment, overcome his fear of blood phobia. P.S Among the crazy cast of characters in the movie is Arthur the Woody Allen like photographer who only seems to be in this gory film for needed comedy relief but in that by him stealing every scene he's in almost makes you forget about the murders committed in the movie.

"The Case of the Bloody Iris" is a superior giallo which benefits from the mesmerising presence of one Edwige Fenech, who fared much better in gialli than she did in all those dreadful Italian sex comedies. The producers had enough sense to let her be the heroine, rather than the standard debonair older gent, who thankfully doesn't come between her and the camera.The movie also has the bonus of never being boring. There are choice moments such as Fenech's first appearance, topless with body paint as a policewoman or some such (had she started making those commedia sexy all'italiana movies yet?) There is also a strikingly beautiful woman of colour who has a great scene, stripping on stage and then challenging men in the audience to come and fight her.The killings, if that's what you're here for, aren't as memorable, except for one hilarious moment where a ditzy blond girl has just been knifed and staggers up to the debonair gent (who, remember, isn't the hero) and rather than helping her in any way, he gazes off into the distance as though posing for an advertisement for cologne while she bleeds all over him. People, unsurprisingly, assume him to be the killer: he is at least partially culpable for not doing anything to help her!This one loses points in the end for not really being suspenseful. When the killer is revealed, it's not that much of a revelation. At least the journey there is fun.

More than one young woman gets murdered in a high-rise apartment, in a film that I would describe as an average Italian Giallo. Like many Giallos of that era, the film's plot is not real believable. But the film contains all the elements that Giallo lovers would like: beautiful young women, a masked killer, some blood, bright colors, POV camera shots, inept cops, false leads.Lighting and sound effects, and absence of dialogue, ramp up the suspense in several scenes. Arguably, the best sequence occurs near the end when the lead character, sexy Jennifer (Edwige Fenech) makes her way alone through a subterranean boiler room. It's very dark, and noises create subtle echoes. She's scared. The woman with whom she has been with has just been murdered. And the killer is still somewhere nearby. Suddenly, in the darkness, a flashlight shines in Jennifer's face. And all we see is the outline of some person moving toward her.The film's color cinematography is competent. Visuals have a widescreen projection. Some good overhead camera shots and lots of close-in zooms keep the visuals interesting. Acting is marginally acceptable. But Giallos are not known for great acting. The score, too, is competent, if unremarkable."The Case Of The Bloody Iris" features the usual nudity/violence combo, en route to the resolution of the whodunit puzzle. The visuals, while no match for Dario Argento's films, are good enough to make the film worth watching, at least for viewers who enjoy the Giallo style of film-making.

Out of all the gialli I own, the Case of the Bloody Iris is the most fun to watch. It has a healthy dose of humour, great atmosphere, beautiful euro-babes, and a tight plot. It's also extremely funky and stylish. A winner all the way.Edwige Fenech, one of the most jaw-droppingly gorgeous women ever to grace the screen, plays Jennifer, a model who moves into an apartment with her crazy model buddy. The problem is, someone in the building has a habit of killing models, and Jennifer and her pal are next up for a stabbing.You've got the classic giallo list of suspects, most of which spend their time drooling over Edwige's body: the lesbian neighbour and her father, the old lady and her dark secret, the landlord and his fear of blood, Edwige's ex-husband the cult leader. Plenty of inappropriate sexual advances follow, sometimes under the craziest of circumstances.Throw in a couple of bumbling cops, some topless wrestling involving the also-gorgeous Carla Berle (Torso, Bronx Warriors), and the dizziest sidekick ever to appear in a giallo, and you've got a great movie right there. Edwige, Carla and some other girls ain't too shy about showing off their assets either, if you know what I'm saying.Top marks go to Edwige's roommate, who has the best dialogue throughout the entire movie. She's possible my favourite Giallo character ever, what with her non-chalant attitude to everything. At one point she recreates on of the murders with ditsy glee - jumping out of a bath in the scud and shouting "I'm a ghost!", which earns her a seventies slap in the gub.Get it now - Academic, over serious, chin-strokers with no sense of irony need not apply.