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The Bird with the Crystal Plumage

Original title: L'uccello dalle piume di cristallo
  • 19701970
  • GPGP
  • 1h 36m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
22K
YOUR RATING
Suzy Kendall in The Bird with the Crystal Plumage (1970)
Home Video Trailer from Other
Play trailer2:44
2 Videos
99+ Photos
HorrorMysteryThriller
An American expatriate in Rome witnesses an attempted murder that is connected to an ongoing killing spree in the city, and despite himself and his girlfriend being targeted by the killer, h... Read allAn American expatriate in Rome witnesses an attempted murder that is connected to an ongoing killing spree in the city, and despite himself and his girlfriend being targeted by the killer, he conducts his own investigation.An American expatriate in Rome witnesses an attempted murder that is connected to an ongoing killing spree in the city, and despite himself and his girlfriend being targeted by the killer, he conducts his own investigation.
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
22K
YOUR RATING
    • Dario Argento
    • Dario Argento
    • Fredric Brown(novel "The Screaming Mimi")
  • Stars
    • Tony Musante
    • Suzy Kendall
    • Enrico Maria Salerno
    • Dario Argento
    • Dario Argento
    • Fredric Brown(novel "The Screaming Mimi")
  • Stars
    • Tony Musante
    • Suzy Kendall
    • Enrico Maria Salerno
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 136User reviews
    • 143Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards

    Videos2

    The Bird With the Crystal Plumage
    Trailer 2:44
    Watch The Bird With the Crystal Plumage
    Bloody Beginnings of the Summer Camp Slasher
    Clip 7:00
    Watch Bloody Beginnings of the Summer Camp Slasher

    Photos152

    The Bird with the Crystal Plumage (1970)
    The Bird with the Crystal Plumage (1970)
    The Bird with the Crystal Plumage (1970)
    Suzy Kendall in The Bird with the Crystal Plumage (1970)
    The Bird with the Crystal Plumage (1970)
    Suzy Kendall in The Bird with the Crystal Plumage (1970)
    The Bird with the Crystal Plumage (1970)
    Giovanni Di Benedetto in The Bird with the Crystal Plumage (1970)
    Bruno Erba in The Bird with the Crystal Plumage (1970)
    Fulvio Mingozzi in The Bird with the Crystal Plumage (1970)
    Suzy Kendall in The Bird with the Crystal Plumage (1970)
    Mario Adorf in The Bird with the Crystal Plumage (1970)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Tony Musante
    Tony Musante
    • Sam Dalmas
    Suzy Kendall
    Suzy Kendall
    • Julia
    Enrico Maria Salerno
    Enrico Maria Salerno
    • Inspector Morosini
    Eva Renzi
    Eva Renzi
    • Monica Ranieri
    Umberto Raho
    Umberto Raho
    • Alberto Ranieri
    Renato Romano
    Renato Romano
    • Professor Carlo Dover
    • (as Raf Valenti)
    Giuseppe Castellano
    Giuseppe Castellano
    • Monti
    Mario Adorf
    Mario Adorf
    • Berto Consalvi
    Pino Patti
    Pino Patti
    • Faiena
    Gildo Di Marco
    • Garullo
    Rosita Torosh
    Rosita Torosh
    • 4th Victim
    • (as Rosa Toros)
    Omar Bonaro
    • Police Detective
    Fulvio Mingozzi
    • Police Detective
    Werner Peters
    Werner Peters
    • Antique Dealer
    Karen Valenti
    Karen Valenti
    • Tina, 5th Victim
    Carla Mancini
    Carla Mancini
    • Girl watching TV
    Bruno Erba
    • Police Detective
    Dario Argento
    Dario Argento
    • Murderer's Hands
    • (uncredited)
      • Dario Argento
      • Dario Argento
      • Fredric Brown(novel "The Screaming Mimi") (uncredited)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Tony Musante was a very intense actor and It's alleged he would frequently show up at Dario Argento's apartment at 3am to discuss characterization, much to Argento's annoyance.
    • Goofs
      When pursuing the hit man "Needles", Sam describes him to a hotel bellboy as wearing a yellow jacket and a blue cap. At no point is Needles seen wearing a blue cap, although he does manage to shake off his pursuer by mingling with a group of people wearing such a uniform. However, Sam only sees them after giving the description.
    • Quotes

      Inspector Morosini: Right! Bring in the perverts!

    • Alternate versions
      West German theatrical version was cut by ca. 10 minutes (plot scenes). For TV broadcasting these scenes were reinserted but the violent scenes were trimmed instead.
    • Connections
      Edited into Tales of the Cat (2001)

    User reviews136

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10
    Superior Thriller
    Ominous music and lush cinematography override a sparse script to create a Jack-the-Ripper type thriller, which is deeply introspective, moody, and haunting.

    Indeed, the script can be treacherous if used to try and solve this whodunit puzzle, which is best handled by removing psychological assumptions rather than by piecing together logical clues. Even so, the murder mystery plot is to some extent illogical.

    The strength of the film though lies in its suspense, which is almost unbeatable. It rivals any of Hitchcock's works, to which it is repeatedly compared. The scene showing a knife chipping away at a wooden door is reminiscent of, and more frightening than, scenes showing bird beaks chipping away at a farmhouse door in Hitchcock's "The Birds".

    I like the film too because it is so nostalgic. The reel-to-reel tape recorder and dozens of other props and visual cues, the references to philosophy and mysticism, the Morricone film score which at times sounds like the film scores from his spaghetti Westerns, all conspire to transport the viewer back to the Age of Aquarius.

    The acting is fine. Tony Musante, Suzy Kendall, and Enrico Salerno are perfect for the roles they play.

    This is one scary movie. Minor flaws notwithstanding, "The Bird With The Crystal Plumage" is top-notch entertainment for fans of suspense thrillers.
    helpful•53
    15
    • Lechuguilla
    • Jun 30, 2003

    FAQ4

    • What was the significance of the inspector saying he thought he knew Julia from somewhere? (Where did he know her from?)
    • What significance does the title "The Bird With the Crystal Plumage" have in relation to the film?
    • What are the differences between the British BBFC-18 DVD version and the uncut version?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 12, 1970 (United States)
      • Italy
      • West Germany
      • Italian
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • Agnano, Naples, Campania, Italy
    • Production companies
      • Seda Spettacoli
      • Central Cinema Company Film (CCC)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 1 hour 36 minutes
      • Mono

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