Torso (1973)
Written By: DMG
Edited By: Grave Reviews Staff
Film Information
Director: Sergio Martino
Producer: Carlo Ponti
Writer: Ernesto Gastaldi, Sergio Martino
Date Released: January 4, 1973
Cast:
Suzy Kendall as Jane
Tina Aumont as Dani (Daniela)
Luc Merenda as Roberto
John Richardson as Franz
Roberto Bisacco as Stefano Vanzi
Ernesto Colli as Gianni Tomasso, the street vendor
Angela Covello as Katia
Carla Brait as Ursula
et. al.
Rating = 2.5/5 Graves
***May contain some spoilers***
Synopsis
A killer is on the loose in Italy and the police become aware of two murders at different times. The police make a local university and their students aware of this situation and ask anyone to come forward with information. Now, the killer has his mind set on other targets. A group of Italian Art students are terrorized by the killer in a mask holding a knife. But the question is, who is behind all these killings?
Gore Factor
In one scene, the killer gauges one victim’s eyes out. In another scene, the killer smashes someone’s head with a vehicle. There are also some other gore scenes throughout the film.
The Grave Review
Torso is an Italian giallo-style film that focuses on art students in Perugia, Italy who are terrorized by a hooded masked killer. The plot is fairly simple. During the course of the film, there is a bit of intrigue as to who the masked killer may be. But as with all 1970s Italian horror films, the plot takes a second seat to showcasing the beautiful Italian women in an erotic and sensual manner.
Torso features location scenes featuring the beautiful architectural buildings and squares that Italy has to offer. Seeing all the college students hanging out in the square almost makes me want to be back in college myself…almost. But, as to the story of the film, the characters were never developed nor was the backstory of the killer and his motive for his actions. Although, the film does talk a little bit about why he committed these crimes, there was not much said to establish any real reason. There was plenty of time to do this and unfortunately the film did not make the backstory a priority. In fact, much of the film felt very sluggish and slow paced.
Overall, Torso (1973) may be nice for the eye candy, but there is not much else to be said about this film.
For the foregoing reasons, Grave Reviews gives Torso (1973) two and a half graves out of five graves.
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