Il medaglione insanguinato (1975)

Director:

Massimo Dallamano

Writers:

Massimo Dallamano (writer)
Franco Marotta (writer)

Release Date:

March 1976 (USA)

Genre:

Horror

Tagline:

Keep telling yourself : "She's not just a child", "She's not just a child", "She's not just a child", "She's not just a child", "She's not just a child", "She's not just a child"

Plot:

The titular medallion is a gift presented to young Nicole Elmi. Once the girl places the gift around her neck, she is possessed by the spirit of a dead child who was a murderess. |

Plot Keywords:

Medallion | Spirit | Supernatural | Occult | Demon

Cast

Richard Johnson	...	Michael Williams
Joanna Cassidy	...	Joanna Morgan
Ida Galli	...	Jill Perkins (as Evelyne Stewart)
Nicoletta Elmi	...	Emily Williams
Edmund Purdom	...	Doctor
Riccardo Garrone	...	Police Inspector
Dana Ghia	...	Emily's Mother
Eleonora Morana	...	Contessa's Maid
Lila Kedrova	...	Contessa Cappelli

Also Known As:

Il medaglione insanguinato - Perche?
Perché?!
The Cursed Medallion
The Night Child (USA)

Runtime:

USA:90 min

Country:

Italy | UK

Language:

Italian

Color:

Color (Telecolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:R

Filming Locations:

Spoleto, Perugia, Umbria, Italy

Company:

Italian International Film

Movie Connections:

Edited into 42nd Street Forever, Volume 3: Exploitation Explosion (2008) (V)

A pleasant surprise

Unfairly marketed as another cheesy cash-in with the success of 'The Exorcist', 'The Night Child' turned out to be an amazing surprise. What really makes this so great is that, although it deals with a little girl possessed, it's done in entirely different way that from The Exorcist, so there's no head turning 360 degrees, green puke or even an exorcism for that matter, yet director Massimo Dallamano manages to make a film that is just as scary and thought-provoking. It's also a pretty sad and moving film, and actually works just as well as a drama then it does horror, and it is very slow paced and it has a great build up. So, as you can see, if you're expecting another 'Beyond the Door' you'll be disappointed. The story works pretty well, and it's actually very intelligent and filled with Freudian overtones. Nicoletta Elmi does a great job in title role and Richard Johnson and Joana Cassidy are also very convincing. The film is visually stunning and highly atmospheric very reminiscent of the works of Bava, specially the small Italian village gives dejavu to anyone who has seen Kill Baby Kill before. Sure, the movie ain't perfect, and there are many flaws, but it is truly a nice gem that deserves much more attention than it deserves. I actually prefer this over the director's much more praised 'What Have You Done To Solange?'. Overall, 8.5/10.