A Lizard in a Woman's Skin (1971)

The potentially unhinged daughter of a British politician is accused of killing her hedonistic neighbor after she witnesses the murder in a dream.

Director:

Lucio Fulci

Writers:

Lucio Fulci (story), Roberto Gianviti (story)

Stars:

Florinda Bolkan, Stanley Baker, Jean Sorel

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Florinda Bolkan	...	Carol Hammond
Stanley Baker	...	Inspector Corvin
Jean Sorel	...	Frank Hammond
Silvia Monti	...	Deborah
Alberto de Mendoza	...	Sgt. Brandon
Penny Brown	...	Jenny
Mike Kennedy	...	Hubert
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

Storyline

In London, Carol Hammond lives in a fancy building with her husband Frank Hammond and her stepdaughter Joan Hammond. Carol is the beloved daughter of the wealthy and prominent lawyer and politician Edmond Brighton and Frank is his partner in his office and has a love affair with Deborah. Carol's next door neighbor Julia Durer is a depraved woman that promotes parties with drugs and orgies. Carol has psychoanalyze sessions with Dr. Kerr and is intrigued with a nightmare where she stabs Julia to death three times with a couple watching the murder. When Julia is found dead in her apartment, the efficient Inspector Corvin and his partner Sgt. Brandon are assigned to investigate. All the evidences point out to Carol, but was a dream or reality?

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Plot Keywords:

orgy | lesbian | lesbian lover | topless female nudity | giallo | 

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Taglines:

WARNING! Not Recommended Viewing for Persons with Schizophrenic Tendencies!

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Genres:

Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

Italy Spain France

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

20 March 1973 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Lizard in a Woman's Skin

Filming Locations:

Temple Church, Temple, Holborn, London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

International Apollo Films,Les Films Corona,Atlántida Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

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 was fake.

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Goofs

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

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Quotes

Hubert: What do you expect us to do with all that acid inside us, huh?
Jenny: We were filled with acid from our heads to our toes. And you know something? Under the effect of acid, I look at you here and all I see is a red blob. Or a galloping horse.
Inspector Corvin: You don't remember anything at all about that night?
Hubert: Yeah, I remember. Yes, I remember, seeing that night, a lizard - in a woman's skin.
Inspector Corvin: Shit!
Hubert: No, beautiful. Just beautiful.

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Alternate Versions

There are two DVD releases in America. The first was a 2 disc edition containing a wide screen print of the heavily cut 95 minute US version and a poor quality full screen print of the 98 minute Italian version. The newer 1 disc release has been remastered and is the full 103 minute wide screen version.

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Connections

Referenced in No Telling (1991)

User Reviews

The Perfect Alibi

In London, Carol Hammond (Florinda Bolkan) lives in a fancy building with her husband Frank Hammond (Jean Sorel) and her stepdaughter Joan Hammond (Edy Gall). Carol is the beloved daughter of the wealthy and prominent lawyer and politician Edmond Brighton (Leo Genn) and Frank is his partner in his office and has a love affair with Deborah (Silvia Monti). Carol's next door neighbor Julia Durer (Anita Strindberg) is a depraved woman that promotes parties with drugs and orgies. Carol has psychoanalyze sessions with Dr. Kerr (George Rigaud) and is intrigued with a nightmare where she stabs Julia to death three times with a couple watching the murder. When Julia is found dead in her apartment, the efficient Inspector Corvin (Stanley Baker) and his partner Sgt. Brandon (Alberto de Mendoza) are assigned to investigate. All the evidences point out to Carol, but was a dream or reality?

"Una lucertola con la pelle di donna", a.k.a "A Lizard in Woman's Skin", is a great giallo by Lucio Fulci. The story is complex with many twists and there are many suspects that might have killed Julia Durer. The conclusion is exceptional, with Inspector Corvin soling the case. Florinda Bolkan has great performance and is extremely elegant. The graphic dog scene is impressive and was necessary to prove in court that it was the work of the special effects. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Uma Lagartixa num Corpo de Mulher" ("A Gecko in a Woman's Body")