Una lucertola con la pelle di donna (1971)

Director:

Lucio Fulci

Writers:

Lucio Fulci (screenplay)
Lucio Fulci (story)

Release Date:

20 March 1973 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

Biting, Gnawing TERROR Claws At Your Brain!

Plot:

A young woman is accused of murdering her debauched neighbor after dreaming it. Was she set up, or did she really do it?

Plot Keywords:

Murder | Dream | Letter Opener | Orgy | Dream Sequence

Cast

Florinda Bolkan	...	Carol Hammond
Stanley Baker	...	Inspector Corvin
Jean Sorel	...	Frank Hammond
Silvia Monti	...	Deborah
Alberto de Mendoza	...	Sgt. Brandon
Penny Brown	...	Jenny (hippie girl)
Mike Kennedy	...	Hubert (hippie guy)
Ely Galleani	...	Joan Hammond (as Edy Gall)
George Rigaud	...	Dr. Kerr
Ezio Marano	...	Lowell (scientific squad)
Franco Balducci	...	McKenna
Luigi Antonio Guerra	...	Policeman
Erzsi Paál	...	Mrs. Gordon (as Ersi Pond)
Gaetano Imbró	...	Policeman
Leo Genn	...	Edmond Brighton

Also Known As:

Carole (France)
Le venin de la peur (France) (alternative title)
Les salopes vont en enfer (France)
Lizard in a Woman's Skin (USA) (dubbed version)
Schizoid (USA) (reissue title)
Una lagartija con piel de mujer (Spain)
Una lucertola dalla pelle di donna (Italy) (informal title)

Runtime:

France:101 min | Italy:98 min | Spain:89 min | USA:95 min | USA:103 min (DVD version)

Country:

Italy | Spain | France

Language:

Italian

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Iceland:16 | USA:Unrated (DVD) | France:-18 | Italy:VM18 | Norway:16 | Spain:18 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Dear Studios, Rome, Lazio, Italy

Company:

Apollo Films

Trivia:

The scene in which Carol encounters the disemboweled dogs in the clinic became quite controversial because of the startlingly realistic (and graphic) appearance of the fake prop dogs. Director Lucio Fulci was nearly sent to prison because it was believed that the dogs were real and Fulci had allowed animal cruelty on the film. However crew members were able to testify in court that the "dogs" were indeed fake and no animals had ever been harmed. Special effects artist Carlo Rambaldi even presented the dog props in court to convince the jury. This was the first time that an effects artist had to testify in court that their work were fake.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When people are taking pictures of Julia Durer's body, her eyebrow moves.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Sette scialli di seta gialla (1972)

An early giallo that tops most of the others.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Lucio Fulci made better giallos than Dario Argento. I'm sorry, but this early classic is truly stunning. From the opening scene in the train, to the final twist at the end, it will leave your arm hairs standing at attention.

It's gory, it's thrilling, it's creepy and it's moody. It absolutely captures the early 70's psychedelic 'thing' without being cheesy. It's basically a psychological study of a woman who seems deeply troubled but, then again, may just be delusional. Until the end, we really have no idea which is the case, but when we find out, we're surprised. The plot is genius.

"A Lizard in a Woman's Skin" is a true must-see for giallo fans. It's a recommended-see for horror fans. It's a probably-should-see for gore fans. And it's a better-be-on-your-shelf for Fulci fans. Classic movie fans and critics? Stay away. This is a film that you were not born to GET and you shouldn't attempt to.

By the way, my favorite Ennio Morricone soundtrack second only to "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly." 9 out of 10, kids.