The Bird with the Crystal Plumage (1970)

An American writer and his English girlfriend are stalked by a serial killer terrorizing Rome after the former witnesses a murder attempt on a woman's life.

Director:

Dario Argento

Writer:

Dario Argento

Stars:

Tony Musante, Suzy Kendall, Enrico Maria Salerno

2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tony Musante	...	Sam Dalmas
Suzy Kendall	...	Julia
Enrico Maria Salerno	...	Inspector Morosini
Eva Renzi	...	Monica Ranieri
Umberto Raho	...	Alberto Ranieri
Renato Romano	...	Professor Carlo Dover (as Raf Valenti)
Giuseppe Castellano	...	Monti
Mario Adorf	...	Berto Consalvi
Pino Patti	...	Faiena
Gildo Di Marco	...	Garullo
Rosita Torosh	...	4th Victim (as Rosa Toros)
Omar Bonaro	...	Police Detective
Fulvio Mingozzi	...	Police Detective
Werner Peters	...	Antique Dealer
Karen Valenti	...	Tina, 5th Victim

Storyline

In Italy, the American writer Sam Dalmas witnesses an attempt of murder of the owner of an art gallery, Monica Ranieri, a couple of days before returning home. Inspector Morosini, who is in charge of investigating the three previous murderers of the serial-killer, asks for help to Dalmas and takes his passport. Dalmas decides to stay with his girlfriend Julia and to help the police in the investigation. The killer threatens Dalmas and Julia by phone and the police overhears a strange noise in the tape. Soon the serial killer stalks Julia and Damas. Who might be the killer?

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Plot Keywords:

serial killer | mysterious villain | mysterious stranger | american in italy | girlfriend | 

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Taglines:

If you think you are being followed home from this movie, keep telling yourself that it's all in your mind.

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Genres:

Horror | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

GP

Details

Country:

Italy West Germany

Language:

Italian

Release Date:

12 June 1970 (USA)

Also Known As:

Point of Terror

Filming Locations:

Via Pietro da Cortona 28, Roma, Lazio, Italy

Box Office

Budget:

$500,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Seda Spettacoli, Central Cinema Company Film (CCC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Tony Musante was a very intense actor and would frequently show up at Dario Argento's apartment at 3am to discuss characterization, much to Argento's annoyance.

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Goofs

Language: It's never explained whether Dalmas speaks fluent Italian, or whether all the Italians (including the imprisoned pimp) speak fluent English. Furthermore, while all of the featured magazines, newspapers, street signs are in Italian, some letters and the computer print-out at the forensics lab is for some reason in English.

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Quotes

Inspector Morosini: Right! Bring in the perverts!

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Alternate Versions

Originally cut in the US by 20 seconds to achieve a US "G.P." rating with edits to a razor slashing (the Blue Underground DVD is uncut), and this print was then passed without further cuts for its original UK cinema release in 1970 (as "The Gallery Murders"). The film was re-released theatrically in the UK in 1983 (as "The Bird With the Crystal Plumage") and the full print submitted to the BBFC where it received 18 secs of cuts which removed all shots of a knife being traced over a woman on a bed and the slashing/removal of her nightdress and underwear. All video releases plus the 2005 Platinum Media DVD featured the same cut print, though the 2011 Arrow release finally presented the film fully uncut.

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Connections

Referenced in Dario Argento: Master of Horror (1991)

User Reviews

Brilliant early Argento

The first film that fully credits Dario Argento as the sole director turned out a compelling murder-mystery, stylishly completed with an excellent score, sublime photography and gripping moments of suspense. In other words, an authentic giallo like only a real Italian master can deliver them! As it is common standard in this type of horror films, the actual climax (usually this means the killer's identity and motives) is slightly inferior to the creation of setting and atmosphere. Yet, in this adaptation of Wallace's novel the plot twists are credible and the finale is satisfying. The story focuses on an American novelist who moved to Italy due to a severe writer's block. One night, he witnesses an attempted knife-murder in an art gallery. Even though he and his girl are becoming the main target of the serial killer at large, our hero finds himself to be more and more obsessed with the tracking down the murderer. Dario Argento is known especially for his violent and explicit horror titles, but this first film of his completely depends good old fashioned suspense and involvement. You almost get the feeling that the killer is on YOUR tale. The comparison between Argento and Alfred Hitchcock surely isn't exaggerated…at least not when it comes to "Bird with the Crystal Plumage. Really all aspects about it are impressive. Even the dialogue and acting, normally critical letdowns in Italian horror productions, are convincing. The film is given the finishing touch by a few extremely ingenious details like an eccentric, cat-eating painter and a stuttering pimp! Viva la giallo!!