Review of 'The Fifth Cord'. by Luigi Bazzoni (1971).

Luigi Bazzoni's obscure cut-above giallo from 1971, a belated review for a film that I had feared would be pleasurable enough to watch but typically uncomfortable for a giallo, and more about the memories, the lingering feeling that I like to feel after the movie has stopped - rather than simple joy which ends as the film does. Well, the films enjoyable and typically unsettling, but it's superbly shot, directed and edited to the point it rises above the genre and stands out as a fine example of a movie involving talent perhaps beyond the qualities of the script, the genre, and the audience expectations.

Now, this is one movie that will teach me not to let films sit in my 'to watch' pile for so long...

Never been so keen to give credit in the way film posters and promoters of films would like, at least in my own mind its the singling-out of individuals which is either self-serving or scapegoat-creating - still, people do think that way and its hard not to decend into obsession if you get past that level of thinking. This film is a good example of how it clearly takes so much more than a good lead or a good director to make a film, there being a clear sense that theres a very close and dynamic relationship between the virtually-unknown Bazzoni, legendary Storraro (Cinematographer) and the editor (Alabiso).

Now, although the idea is primarily to review a films affect on me as a viewer, when you're watching a genre movie and expecting certain elements to be used (and they are, just not in a typical fashion - thats a large part of how this is clearly strong because it doesnt sit back) and they're not used as frequently (infact, obscured visuals, bright colors and first-person shots are about 10% of the movie - it felt that way at least) then you start to pick at what is going on. Add to this the unsettling feel a giallo aims to find, and this one does, i would say that theres some very clever use of the relationship between light and dark (later briefly discussed in the interview that's the extra on this disc), incredibly rapid cutting and overlapping of audio and visual elements in a way that makes it hard to entirely pin-down the time of day and location that works so very well. The plot itself can disappear into the background, feels logical and complete but it's definitely not easily to follow because the visuals, audio, editing and subsequent editing take priority in the mind.

It does involve a series of murders, a murderer with twisted logic, a journalist (Franco Nero) who does have a close relationship with alcohol and some beautiful women sliced and diced in great style. It doesn't do this too frequently, obviously or exploitatively - its more akin to american horror of the 70s which are clearly influenced by gialli - but primarily its the individual inventiveness that works so well that makes a plain story, a functional low-budget film actually rise into a really rich experience. The tension is palpable and the overall effect is a movie that's both fascinating to let have control of your emotions as well as one that works as an exercise in studying how it is constructed.

Almost possible to say the talent at work are somewhat slumming it in this genre. remember, nice score by Morricone here too - but storraro (cinematoghpher for Antonioni, Bertolluci, Coppola amongst others at various times) rises the directors ideas and compositions, and the editing takes it to almost stellar levels of quality. The last secetion of the film (something like 15 minutes) are so close to perfection for the genre its almost orgasmic. great quality transfer by blue underground too - nice cheap disc to boot.