Director Stelvio Massi only contributed this film to the giallo genre, although he was the cinematographer for rather splendid The Case of the Bloody Iris. This movie perhaps indicates that he wasn't a natural with this type of material, as there is a somewhat plodding aspect to it on the whole. Nevertheless, as is mostly the way with serial-killer-on-the-loose gialli, it still remains very watchable and effective at times. The story in this one has a writer's wife dying while giving birth, immediately afterwards a series of murders begin with the victims all being pregnant women.
It wouldn't be too unfair to say that this one is one of the gialli which is lower on style, higher on sleaze. The story centres on some especially nasty murders, which were a bit much if you ask me! Those coupled with the nudity factor being very high generally puts this one squarely in the more exploitative end of the genre. The thriller element is often a bit under-played, although there are a few fairly suspenseful sequences here and there. I would additionally have to say that there is maybe a little too much police-procedure and chat overall too for the film's overall effectiveness. So, this fairly obscure example of the genre couldn't really be described as a lost classic or anything like that but it definitely benefits from still incorporating the main ingredients of this sub-genre - the mix might be a bit under-cooked in a number of ways but the final dish is still one which giallo enthusiasts will find some value in.
It wouldn't be too unfair to say that this one is one of the gialli which is lower on style, higher on sleaze. The story centres on some especially nasty murders, which were a bit much if you ask me! Those coupled with the nudity factor being very high generally puts this one squarely in the more exploitative end of the genre. The thriller element is often a bit under-played, although there are a few fairly suspenseful sequences here and there. I would additionally have to say that there is maybe a little too much police-procedure and chat overall too for the film's overall effectiveness. So, this fairly obscure example of the genre couldn't really be described as a lost classic or anything like that but it definitely benefits from still incorporating the main ingredients of this sub-genre - the mix might be a bit under-cooked in a number of ways but the final dish is still one which giallo enthusiasts will find some value in.