The Tenth Victim (1965) aka La decima vittima aka La dixième victime

4 / 5   Nov '09
Tagline: It's the 21st century and they have a licence to kill
Directed by: Elio Petri
Written by:  Robert Sheckley, Tonino Guerra
Actors include: Marcello Mastroianni, Ursula Andress, Elsa Martinelli
Genre: Sci-Fi, Action
Length: 92 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:

One insanely weird '60s sci-fi picture from Italy featuring the appearance of Ursula Andress and a futuristic dystopian plot. In the future, there is a Government run program you can sign up for (especially if suicidal) which puts you in a game. There are Hunters and there are Victims, you must survive being both a total of ten times before you win a million dollars. Only a few survive as they are being shot at nearly constantly not to mention the Hunter takes in all the information about the Victim, and the Victim isn't allowed any info at all. Ursula plays a girl who is about ready to take her tenth victim (the title...ya dig?), and they've planned a big movie shoot to show her as she kills him. Of course this he we refer to isn't a dumb guy, and let's just say she's met her match. It's filled with bizarre futuristic music, weird costumes and set designs and all kinds of absurdity. It's no wonder this influenced "The Running Man" and the Austin Powers series (you'll see exactly what I mean). Definitely something intriguing to see but yet I don't think it delivered the excitement I was hoping for ultimately.

Availability:  On DVD

Die! Die! My Darling! (1965) aka Fanatic

4 / 5 Feb '10
Tagline: She's One Mean Mother-in-Law!
Directed by: Silvio Narizzano
Written by: Anne Blaisdell, Richard Matheson
Actors include: Stefanie Powers, Talullah Bankhead, Peter Vaughan
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Length: 97 minutes
Banned: Finland

Review:
Although not the most original idea, it was a bucket of fun thanks to Tallulah Bankhead (in her final role) as a demented religious fanatic called Mrs. Trefoil...seriously awesomely evil performance. Stefanie Powers plays pretty and likeable Pat Carroll who was engaged to Mrs. Trefoil's son Stephen before he died. At Mrs. Trefoil's behest Pat comes to visit her at her house before planning to run off and marry a man named Allan. The only thing is, Pat isn't allowed to leave and it seems that Mrs. Trefoil is completely insane and seems to blame her for Allan's death! Also in this plot here we have Mrs. Trefoil's other son Harry whom she doesn't seem to like as much, and his wife Anna (Man About The House's Yootha Joyce) and also there is the handicapped Joseph (hilariously played by Donald Sutherland). It's not the most eventful film, but the performances make it more than worthwhile plus who doesn't love watching crazy people?
 
Availability:  On DVD

The Collector (1965)

5 / 5 Feb '10
Tagline: A man kidnaps a woman and holds her hostage just for the pleasure of having her there.
Directed by: William Wyler
Written by: John Fowles, Stanley Mann
Actors include: Terence Stamp, Samantha Eggar, Mona Washbourne
Genre: Thriller, Drama
Length: 119 minutes
Banned: Finland

Review:
One heck of a thriller really, you won't find many like this and it was so influential with films that followed like 盲獣 [Blind Beast] and The Silence of the Lambs. The story is about a man called Freddie (Terence Stamp) who is obsessive about collecting butterflies, only as it turns out he's had a more sinister plan. He spies on and follows the beautiful and vivacious Miranda (Samantha Eggar) who is a free spirited artist. Eventually Freddie decides to chloroform her and drag her back to the gigantic house he's bought (with a separate hidden chamber for Miranda). I think the big shock is the amount of detail and planning this would have taken, and the fact that Freddie doesn't believe he's really done anything wrong. He only wants Miranda to love him and he figures this is the way...by holding her captive. It's demented, brilliantly acted, both Eggar & Stamp deserve Oscars for this...it's so engaging and so well written, this is an absolute must!

Availability:  On DVD