Sette orchidee macchiate di rosso (1972)

Director:

Umberto Lenzi

Writers:

Roberto Gianviti (screenplay)
Paul Hengge (credited on German prints)

Release Date:

24 February 1972 (Italy)

Genre:

Horror | Mystery | Thriller

Plot Keywords:

Detective | Dead Girl | Sadism | Nude Woman Murdered | Psycho

Cast

Antonio Sabato	...	Mario
Uschi Glas	...	Giulia (as Uschi Glass)
Pier Paolo Capponi	...	Inspector Vismara
Rossella Falk	...	Elena Marchi
Marina Malfatti	...	Kathy Adams
Renato Romano	...	The Priest
Claudio Gora	...	Raffaele Ferri
Gabriella Giorgelli	...	Inez Tamborini
Aldo Barberito	...	Lt. Palumbo
Bruno Corazzari	...	Barrett
Franco Fantasia	...	Lt. Renzi
Petra Schürmann	...	Concetta di Rosa
Ivano Davoli
Linda Sini	...	Juanda
Nello Pazzafini	...	Raoul

Also Known As:

Seven Blood-Stained Orchids (International: English title) (dubbed version) (USA) (DVD title)
Das Rätsel des silbernen Halbmonds (West Germany)
Edgar Wallace - Das Rätsel des silbernen Halbmonds (West Germany) (series title)
Puzzle of the Silver Half Moons
Sette volti per l'assassino (Italy)
Sieben Gesichter für die Mörderin (West Germany)

Runtime:

Finland:88 min | Germany:85 min | Greece:88 min

Country:

Italy | West Germany

Language:

Italian

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Italy:VM14 (new rating) | Italy:VM18 (original rating) | Canada:18+ (Quebec) | West Germany:16

Filming Locations:

Spoleto, Perugia, Umbria, Italy

Company:

Flora Film

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Pastewka: Die Strategie der Schnecke (#2.2)" (2006)

Lenzi's masterful giallo

Seven Blood Stained Orchids (Sette orchidee macchiate di rosso, 1971) is extremely pleasant and atmospheric Italian mystery, giallo from the beginning of the 70's. Lenzi himself likes this film too, but doesn's think it is his masterpiece. I have not seen too much of his work (I have seen at least Cannibal Ferox, Mangiati Vivi! and Il Paese del sesso selvaggio) but when I saw this 70's classic I knew that Lenzi is at his best in this genre.

Murders take place and soon the main character starts to notice some connections and relations between the murdered ones. Couple of years ago something evil happened and now it seems to be payback time.

This is almost as masterful as Argento's Profondo Rosso in the suspense department. Argento's work is more stylish and artistic but Lenzi is definitely not less interesting or less skilled. Couple of scenes are very scary and shocking especially if the film is viewed alone in the dark..Music by Riz Ortolani is great, but not as great as in Cannibal Holocaust or La Casa sperduta nel parco by Ruggero Deodato.

In these giallos, there is always pretty confusing and non-believable plot but it doesn's matter because these films don't have to be realistic; they can be supernatural as well and it doesn't diminish their impact. Plot in this film isn't too confusing but many twists and turns take place during the film.

Seven Blood Stained Orchids is highly recommended for Italo fanatics and horror fans alike. Lenzi directed his most notorious cannibal films only because of money, so these mystery films are far more personal and artistic too. And the lead lady character played by Uschi Glas is unbelievably charming and sexy, and she is very nice to watch.

8 out of 10 and recommended!