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Four Flies on Grey Velvet

Original title: 4 mosche di velluto grigio
  • 19711971
  • PGPG
  • 1h 44m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
9K
YOUR RATING
Four Flies on Grey Velvet (1971)
To mark the Fortieth Anniversary of its production, and twenty years after the film disappeared from the public eye, Shameless Screen Entertainment are aiming to release the first ever worldwide Blu-ray of Dario Argento’s Four Flies on Grey Velvet – remastered in HD from the original negative by the original lab.
Play trailer1:00
1 Video
99+ Photos
CrimeMysteryThriller
A musician is stalked by an unknown homicidal maniac, who blackmails him for the accidental killing of another stalker.A musician is stalked by an unknown homicidal maniac, who blackmails him for the accidental killing of another stalker.A musician is stalked by an unknown homicidal maniac, who blackmails him for the accidental killing of another stalker.
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
9K
YOUR RATING
    • Dario Argento
  • Writers
    • Dario Argento(story)
    • Luigi Cozzi(original story)
    • Mario Foglietti(original story)
  • Stars
    • Michael Brandon
    • Mimsy Farmer
    • Jean-Pierre Marielle
    • Dario Argento
  • Writers
    • Dario Argento(story)
    • Luigi Cozzi(original story)
    • Mario Foglietti(original story)
  • Stars
    • Michael Brandon
    • Mimsy Farmer
    • Jean-Pierre Marielle
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 70User reviews
    • 122Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    FOUR FLIES ON GREY VELVEY
    Trailer 1:00
    Watch FOUR FLIES ON GREY VELVEY

    Photos117

    Four Flies on Grey Velvet (1971)
    Michael Brandon in Four Flies on Grey Velvet (1971)
    Francine Racette in Four Flies on Grey Velvet (1971)
    Michael Brandon and Francine Racette in Four Flies on Grey Velvet (1971)
    Bud Spencer in Four Flies on Grey Velvet (1971)
    Mimsy Farmer in Four Flies on Grey Velvet (1971)
    Mimsy Farmer in Four Flies on Grey Velvet (1971)
    Michael Brandon in Four Flies on Grey Velvet (1971)
    Four Flies on Grey Velvet (1971)
    Michael Brandon in Four Flies on Grey Velvet (1971)
    Michael Brandon and Francine Racette in Four Flies on Grey Velvet (1971)
    Michael Brandon and Francine Racette in Four Flies on Grey Velvet (1971)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Michael Brandon
    Michael Brandon
    • Roberto Tobias
    Mimsy Farmer
    Mimsy Farmer
    • Nina Tobias
    Jean-Pierre Marielle
    Jean-Pierre Marielle
    • Gianni Arrosio
    • (as Jean Pierre Marielle)
    Aldo Bufi Landi
    • Pathologist
    Calisto Calisti
    • Carlo Marosi
    Marisa Fabbri
    Marisa Fabbri
    • Amelia, the Maid
    Oreste Lionello
    Oreste Lionello
    • The Professor
    Fabrizio Moroni
    • Mirko
    Corrado Olmi
    • Porter
    Stefano Satta Flores
    • Andrea
    Laura Troschel
    • Maria
    • (as Costanza Spada)
    Francine Racette
    Francine Racette
    • Dalia
    Bud Spencer
    Bud Spencer
    • Diomede…
    Dante Cleri
    • Coffin Salesman
    Guerrino Crivello
    • Rambaldi, the Neighbor
    Gildo Di Marco
    • Postman
    Tom Felleghy
    • Police Commissioner Pini
    Leopoldo Migliori
    • Musician
      • Dario Argento
    • Writers
      • Dario Argento(story) (screenplay)
      • Luigi Cozzi(original story)
      • Mario Foglietti(original story)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Argento's usual collaborator Ennio Morricone scored the film but had a major argument with Argento over some tracks Argento didn't want in the film. As a result, the director and Morricone would never work together again until 1996, and the rock group Goblin would eventually become Argento's regular composers.
    • Quotes

      Gianni Arrosio: You know, this case is a real challenge. Fortunately, the odds are in our favor.

      Roberto Tobias: The odds?

      Gianni Arrosio: Exactly. You see before you a fully-fledged, highly-qualified private investigator with an extensive knowledge of modern science at his very fingertips. And, in spite of this, in three years of honest practice, I haven't solved a single case.

      Roberto Tobias: Not even one...?

      Gianni Arrosio: Not even one.

    • Crazy credits
      You have just seen Four Flies on Grey Velvet.
    • Alternate versions
      The original U.S theatrical release was cut mainly for pacing as well as shortening the tub love scene and a decapitation for a PG rating.
    • Connections
      Featured in Dario Argento's World of Horror (1985)

    User reviews70

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    9/10
    One of Argento's WEIRDEST. Definitely NOT one of his worst!
    "Four Flies On Grey Velvet" is surely an odd, truly bizarre film, even by Dario Argento standards. In my opinion however, it most definitely is not a bad film, much less one of Argento's worst. Much of what is said about the film, by critics and fans alike, seems (to me) to wrongly condemn it. I definitely can understand why one might be frustrated by this film, but I don't believe that's a reason to reject it completely. Some may feel the acting and/or story isn't all that good. I would respectfully disagree. I feel the acting is strange and aloof, but I believe that it works in favor of the film; and the story is confusing, but that is typical for an Argento film, and as a viewer, I appreciate not being handed all of the answers on a platter. Perhaps what repels many viewers is consistently being displaced espacially within the film context; that is to say one (the viewer and/or the characters) doesn't necessarily always know where one is within the "reality" of the film or how one got there. Here, in what is perhaps Argento's most abstract film to date, the director makes some very bold, disarming choices with editing; choices I believe serve a greater purpose and add chillingly to the effectiveness of the film. For instance, the sequence in which the protagonist (Michael Brandon) is driving to the office of a private investigator. Shots of him driving in his car to the office are quickly intercut with gliding POV shots approaching the office building, going up the stairs, nearing the office door. The effect is that of feeling as if he is literally driving up the stairs and down the hallway to the office door, creating a tense and strangely humorous sequence of events. This editing technique, prevalent throughout the film, is surely a forceful presence and I suppose could turn off some viewers. Regardless of the editing, the atmosphere and visual punch of the film is pure Argento, albeit an Argento who was still developing his technique and discovering his style. There are many beautiful and stunning visuals to be appreciated, including the violent, shocking ending sequence and a very creepy chase scene in an otherworldly city park. My favorite visual flourish in this film is the reoccuring nightmare had by the protagonist, in which a Middle Eastern execution is taking place in a bleached out desert dreamscape; thoroughly chilling. A frantic, highly enjoyable score from the master Ennio Morricone adds greatly to the proceedings as well. I really like this film, despite whatever flaws it may have, and have but one question for anyone who thinks "Four Flies On Grey Velvet" is (one of) Argento's worst... "Have you seen "The Five Days Of Milan" or his "Phantom of The Opera"?

    Definitely not for everyone's tastes, but a certain must for any Argento fan, Euro-horror fan, or anyone who just really wants to be daring and see something totally different.
    helpful•32
    9
    • Mario77
    • Jul 9, 2001

    FAQ1

    • What are the differences between the US VHS Version (Silver Star) and the UK VHS Version (Virtual Assassin)?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 25, 1972 (United States)
      • Italy
      • France
      • Official site (Japan)
      • Italian
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • Milan, Lombardia, Italy
    • Production companies
      • Seda Spettacoli
      • Universal Productions France
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • 1 hour 44 minutes
      • Mono

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