Vintage Horror That Still Haunts

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MOVIE REVIEW
Torso [4K Limited Edition] (I corpi presentano tracce di violenza carnale)
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Genre: Giallo, Horror, Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Year Released: 1973, 2024 Arrow Video
Runtime: 1h 32m
Director(s): Sergio Martino
Writer(s): Sergio Martino, Ernesto Gastaldi
Cast: Suzy Kendall, Tina Aumont, Luc Snack, John Richardson, Roberto Bisacco, Ernesto Colli, Angela Covello, Carla Brait
Where To Watch: available now; order your copy here www.arrowvideo.com, www.mvdshop.com, or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: From the first frames, TORSO grips you with an unsettling intensity that's hard to shake. Director Sergio Martino delivers a 1973 thriller that blends suspense and atmospheric dread, ensuring viewers are captivated throughout the ride.

The film is set against an otherwise peaceful backdrop as it introduces a mysterious killer who methodically targets female students. Armed with a hacksaw and an eerie precision, the murderer instills a pervasive sense of fear in the community. In a desperate bid for safety, Jane—portrayed by Suzy Kendall—retreats to a secluded villa in the countryside with her friends. Their supposed sanctuary quickly turns into a dangerous trap when they realize the relentless predator has tracked them down, transforming their hideaway into a battleground for survival.

One standout element of TORSO is its innovative use of cinematography to explore themes like voyeurism and objectification. By frequently adopting the stalker's point of view, Martino blurs the lines between observer and participant, creating an unsettling sense of involvement in the unfolding terror. This technique heightens the tension and serves as a commentary on the invasive nature of the gaze.

The supporting cast adds significant depth to the film. Tina Aumont's portrayal of Daniela propels the group dynamics, highlighting the friends' strengths and vulnerabilities. Luc Merenda's character, Roberto, remains enigmatic, keeping viewers guessing about his true intentions and adding intrigue to the plot.

While TORSO doesn't shy away from graphic content, the violence is employed thoughtfully to delve into deeper themes such as misogyny and the objectification of women. The killer's obsession represents a disturbing fixation on control and dominance, reflecting societal attitudes of the era and prompting reflection on the darker aspects of human desire.

Cinematographer Giancarlo Ferrando is crucial in establishing the film's ominous mood. His innovative camera angles and framing techniques enhance the sense of unease, especially in scenes set within mist-shrouded forests and the sprawling Italian countryside. These visuals contrast natural beauty and lurking danger, reinforcing that threats can exist even in the most serene environments.

The haunting musical score by Guido and Maurizio De Angelis further elevates the suspenseful atmosphere. The eerie melodies and unsettling rhythms act almost as an additional character, mirroring the escalating tension and the characters' growing fear. The music intensifies during moments of heightened anxiety, amplifying the emotional impact and drawing the audience deeper into the story.

TORSO's influence on the horror genre is significant. It laid the groundwork for future slasher films, introducing foundational elements that would be echoed in later classics. The film employs suspense, visceral violence, and atmospheric tension, contributing to genre conventions such as the "final girl" trope, where the last surviving female character confronts the antagonist.

An exciting aspect of the production is that the actors were kept unaware of the ending during filming. This approach heightened the authenticity of their performances, adding to the pervasive sense of uncertainty and paranoia that permeates the narrative.

TORSO offers a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of horror cinema. It bridges the stylistic elements of Italian thrillers with themes that would dominate slasher films in subsequent decades. While some aspects may feel dated, the core suspense and thrilling sequences continue to resonate, showcasing Martino's impactful contribution to the genre.

Bonus Materials
Brand new 4K restoration by Arrow Films from the original camera negative
4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray™ presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible) of the 94-minute Italian and 90-minute English-language export versions of the film
Restored original lossless Italian and English mono soundtracks*
Original Italian and English front and end titles and insert shots
Optional English subtitles for the Italian soundtrack
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing for the English soundtrack
Audio commentary by Kat Ellinger, author of All the Colours of Sergio Martino
All the Colors of Terror – interview with co-writer/director Sergio Martino
The Discreet Charm of the Genre – interview with actor Luc Merenda
Dial S for Suspense – interview with co-writer Ernesto Gastaldi
Women in Blood – interview with filmmaker Federica Martino, daughter of Sergio Martino
Saturating the Screen – interview with Mikel J. Koven, author of La Dolce Morte: Vernacular Cinema and the Italian Giallo Film
2017 Abertoir International Horror Festival Q&A with Sergio Martino
Alternate opening and closing credits from the US release
Italian and English theatrical trailers
Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Adam Rabalais
Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring writing on the film by Adrian Smith and Howard Hughes
* The English audio t, rack on the original, longer cut, has some portions of English audio missing. English audio for these sections was either never recorded or has been lost. These are presented with Italian audio, subtitled in English.

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[photo courtesy of ARROW VIDEO, MVD ENTERTAINMENT]

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