Plot: What’s it about?
I assume you’ve all seen a film where a serial killer/rapist is stalking a college campus, preying on young females. You ever notice how no one ever leaves? The girls, even the ones that are a perfect target for such a killer, go about their business like nothing is happening. That always pisses me off, which brings me to the first point I like about this movie. Here, when a maniac is on a college campus killing spree, the chicks head for the hills, and leave the campus behind. Now while I admire their efforts, this killer is smarter than most college coed killers, because he leaves the college to pursue the lovely vixens. The girls decide to chill for a few days at an isolated villa, which isn’t the first place I’d go, but still, it’s better than staying on campus, in theory anyway. While the chicks are relaxing, one thing leads to another, and we’ve got some serious sexual escapades on our hands. But since that mean old killer is on his way, the girls better come up for air, because they need to focus on staying alive.
This release is another Italian horror classic from Anchor Bay, which means the film is offered with excellent audio and video, as well as in the complete and uncut form it was intended to be shown in. If you’re a giallo genre nut, Torso is one flick you’ll want to add to your collection, because it has all the ingredients a film like this needs to succeed. While the storyline might seem a little overdone, the way in which the story unfolds is not, and the suspense is some of the finest in horror history, especially the final few sequences. As with most films in the giallo genre, Torso offers plenty of three things, suspense, blood, and flesh. While this movie does have some graphic killing scenes, the focus here seems to be on the suspense, and the movie doesn’t suffer at all, since there is enough blood to go around. You’ll also bear witness to some nubile young flesh, which is always a good thing in a horror flick. This is another must have title for Italian horror fans, and Anchor Bay has once again created a fine treatment. I recommend this disc and movie very highly.
This film was directed and cowritten by Sergio Martino, who injects this movie with finely tuned suspense, some of the best in film, in my opinion. When you think of horror movies, you might not think of well planned and executed plot devices, but Torso, like many of the Italian horror films, excel in their delivery of suspense. While there is blood and flesh galore, the movie is fueled by the tremendous writing and directing, no doubt about it. Martino also directed such films as Chopper Squad, Blade of the Ripper, Mountain of the Cannibal Gods, and Don’t Play With Tigers. The lead in this film is played by Suzy Kendall (The Bird With Crystal Plumage, To Sir With Love), who manages to turn in a quite good performance. Females in horror movies usually don’t perform well, or just scream and bleed, but Kendall brings more than fear to this role. The supporting cast for this movie includes John Richardson (One Million Years B.C., Execution), Tina Aumont (The Messiah, Casanova), Angela Covello (So Naked So Dead), Robert Bisacco (The Assisi Underground), and Carla Brait (Erotic Blue).
Video: How does it look?
Torso is presented in a 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer. If you’ve been suffering through the substandard VHS versions of this film, you’re in for a real treat with this release. This is by far the best Torso has ever looked, and even the print is sharp and clean, which is almost shocking. The colors are rich and dripping with fullness, and flesh tones are natural and distortion free as well. The contrast is perfect, no detail loss at all and shadows are deep and well defined. I didn’t see any compression problems with the transfer either, way to go Anchor Bay!
Audio: How does it sound?
This release contains English and Italian language tracks, both of which are mono in format. Just a note, if you choose the English version, the track has some missing spots, where the track was either lost or never recorded. During those sections, the language will switch to Italian, with English subtitles. Not a big deal, but I thought you should know. As far as the tracks themselves, they’re both good as far as mono goes, but there are no English subtitles for the Italian version. The mono offers a decent sound, but of course not as powerful or enveloping as a surround track. But, all the elements seem in place, with clear dialogue and music, and no separation issues to speak of.
Supplements: What are the extras?
Aside from the added footage, you’ll find both the U.S. and international theatrical trailers, very cool.
