L'uccello dalle piume di cristallo (1970)

Director:

Dario Argento

Writer:

Dario Argento (writer)

Release Date:

12 June 1970 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

A stunning portrait in psycho-terror!

Plot:

A writer is stalked by a serial killer after witnessing a murder attempt on one woman's life.

Plot Keywords:

Killer | Murder | Writer | Serial Killer | Murder Attempt

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Tony Musante	...	Sam Dalmas
Suzy Kendall	...	Julia
Enrico Maria Salerno	...	Inspector Morosini
Eva Renzi	...	Monica Ranieri
Umberto Raho	...	Alberto Ranieri
Renato Romano	...	Professor Carlo Dover (as Raf Valenti)
Giuseppe Castellano	...	Monti
Mario Adorf	...	Berto Consalvi
Pino Patti	...	Faiena
Gildo Di Marco	...	Garullo
Rosita Torosh	...	4th Victim (as Rosa Toros)
Omar Bonaro	...	Police Detective
Fulvio Mingozzi	...	Police Detective
Werner Peters	...	Antique Dealer
Karen Valenti	...	Tina, 5th Victim

Also Known As:

Bird with the Glass Feathers
Das Geheimnis der schwarzen Handschuhe (West Germany)
Phantom of Terror
Point of Terror (USA) (alternative title)
The Bird with the Crystal Plumage (USA)
The Gallery Murders

Runtime:

98 min | Argentina:105 min | Germany:101 min | Netherlands:92 min | USA:96 min | Finland:97 min (1972) | Belgium:108 min (VHS version)

Country:

Italy | West Germany

Language:

Italian

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Netherlands:16 | Australia:MA | USA:Not Rated (DVD rating) | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Singapore:PG | New Zealand:R16 | Argentina:16 | Finland:K-18 | France:-12 | Italy:VM14 | Norway:16 (1971) | Sweden:15 (cut) | UK:15 (video re-rating) (2005) | UK:18 (video rating) (1983) | UK:X (original rating) | USA:GP (original rating) | USA:PG | West Germany:16 | Iceland:16

Filming Locations:

Agnano, Naples, Campania, Italy

Company:

Central Cinema Company Film (CCC)

Trivia:

Director trademark: [Dario Argento] Character recalls clues from memory.

Goofs:

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): At one point when being questioned by the police, Sam proclaims that he would like to speak to his consulate. However, as the story takes place in Rome, which is Italy's capital city, it would be more correct to say that he would like to speak to someone from his embassy.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Death Proof (2007)

Brilliant early Argento

The first film that fully credits Dario Argento as the sole director turned out a compelling murder-mystery, stylishly completed with an excellent score, sublime photography and gripping moments of suspense. In other words, an authentic giallo like only a real Italian master can deliver them! As it is common standard in this type of horror films, the actual climax (usually this means the killer's identity and motives) is slightly inferior to the creation of setting and atmosphere. Yet, in this adaptation of Wallace's novel the plot twists are credible and the finale is satisfying. The story focuses on an American novelist who moved to Italy due to a severe writer's block. One night, he witnesses an attempted knife-murder in an art gallery. Even though he and his girl are becoming the main target of the serial killer at large, our hero finds himself to be more and more obsessed with the tracking down the murderer. Dario Argento is known especially for his violent and explicit horror titles, but this first film of his completely depends good old fashioned suspense and involvement. You almost get the feeling that the killer is on YOUR tale. The comparison between Argento and Alfred Hitchcock surely isn't exaggerated…at least not when it comes to "Bird with the Crystal Plumage. Really all aspects about it are impressive. Even the dialogue and acting, normally critical letdowns in Italian horror productions, are convincing. The film is given the finishing touch by a few extremely ingenious details like an eccentric, cat-eating painter and a stuttering pimp! Viva la giallo!!