L'assassino è costretto ad uccidere ancora (1975)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Luigi Cozzi

Writers:

Adriano Bolzoni (dialogue)
Luigi Cozzi (screenplay)
(more)

Genre:

Thriller | Horror

Plot:

Giorgio is a greedy adulterer who makes a deal with a serial killer (Michel Antoine) to dispose of his wealthy wife...

Plot Keywords:

Killer | Car | Serial Killer | Psycho Killer | Car Driving

Cast

George Hilton	...	Giorgio Mainardi
Antoine Saint-John	...	The Killer (as Michel Antoine)
Femi Benussi	...	Dizzy Blonde
Cristina Galbó	...	Laura
Eduardo Fajardo	...	Police Inspector
Teresa Velázquez	...	Norma Mainardi
Alessio Orano	...	Luca
Dario Griachi
Luigi Antonio Guerra
Carla Mancini
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Achille Grioni	...	Policeman (uncredited)
Sydne Rome	...	(uncredited)

Directed by
Luigi Cozzi

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Adriano Bolzoni		dialogue
Luigi Cozzi		screenplay
Luigi Cozzi		story
Daniele Del Giudice		screenplay
Daniele Del Giudice		story
Patrick Jamain		French screenplay

Produced by
Sergio Gobbi	....	co-producer
Umberto Lenzi	....	producer (as Umberto Linzi)
Giuseppe Tortorella	....	executive producer
Giuseppe Tortorella	....	producer

Original Music by
Nando De Luca

Cinematography by
Riccardo Pallottini
Franco Di Giacomo		(uncredited)

Film Editing by
Alberto Moro

Art Direction by
Luciana Schiratti

Makeup Department
Giuseppe Ferranti	....	makeup artist
Maura Turchi	....	hair stylist

Production Management
Pierluigi Ottina	....	production supervisor
Armand Tabuteau	....	production manager: French

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Luciano Sacripanti	....	assistant director
Paolo Tortorella	....	second assistant director

Sound Department
Domenico Pasquadibisceglie	....	sound

Camera and Electrical Department
Dario Mulazzani	....	assistant camera
Carlo Petriccioli	....	assistant camera
Piergiorgio Pozzi	....	camera operator

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Adriana Manici	....	seamstress

Editorial Department
Elio Moretti	....	assistant editor

Other crew
Biagio Angelini	....	production secretary
Lucia Grazzi	....	continuity
Vittorio Pinelli	....	production secretary

Production Companies

• Albione Cinematografica
• Git International Film
• Paris-Cannes Productions

Distributors

• Starlight (2006) (Italy) (all media) (worldwide)
• DMEG (2004) (Sweden) (video)
• Mondo Macabro (2005) (USA) (DVD)
• Vídeo Room (19??) (Brazil) (VHS)

Also Known As:

Il ragno (Italy)
The Dark Is Death's Friend (USA) (dubbed version)
The Killer Must Kill Again (USA) (DVD title)
The Killer Must Strike Again (USA) (dubbed version)

Runtime:

86 min

Country:

Italy | France

Language:

Italian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Certification:

Italy:VM18

Company:

Albione Cinematografica

Quotes:

[first lines]
Nora Mainardi: What do you take me for, an idiot? Well, you'll find out just how wrong you are!
Mainardi: An idiot? Oh, no, you're no idiot, my love! What you are is an hysterical lunatic!
Nora Mainardi: An hysterical lunatic? And who the hell is this Federica telephoning every ten minutes with that sexy voice of hers?
Mainardi: Cut it out. This Federica, whoever she is, has got to be a client.
Nora Mainardi: Sure, just like all the others. Whores: that's all they are.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in De vierde man (1983)

Unusual giallo...but a very good one!

What's the one story-element all the Italian gialli-films have in common and should therefore almost be considered as one of the basic trademarks of this wonderful horror sub genre? Well, nearly all gialli, from Mario Bava over Sergio Martino to Dario Argento, introduce a horrifying killer (preferably wearing black gloves) whose identity remains hidden throughout many plot twists and only gets revealed during an incredible climax. Actually, the guessing game for this killer's identity is pretty much the whole point of the sub genre! The script of Luigi Cozzi's "The Killer Must Kill Again" is quite unique and does the complete opposite, but that surely doesn't make it any less of a brilliant full-blooded Italian giallo! We know who the killer is and what he looks like even before the credits come onto screen and rightly so, because Michel Antoine's face is far too creepy to hide behind masks or veils. He plays a serial killer who's caught red-handed by sneaky businessman Giorgio Mainard whilst disposing of a dead girl's body. The two gentlemen make a deal and Giorgio hires the killer to get rid of his wealthy wife Norma. While covering up the tracks, however, a couple of young thugs steal the Mercedes with Norma's body in the trunk! During his search for the lost corpse, our killer's thoughts only get more sadistic… If feels weird to see a giallo with such a logical and straightforward storyline, but the atmosphere is equally tense and there's never a dull moment that undercuts the fast pace. What "The Killer Must Kill Again" lacks in surprise and plot twists, it makes up in style elements and originality. Ricardo Pallottini's camera-work is truly imaginative (I particularly liked the cartoon-like fade ins and fade outs) and the extended chase is full of ingenious and entertaining moments. The music is also great and there's a reasonable amount of lovely sleazy, mainly provided by Femi Benussi who's never ashamed to show her ravishing flesh. Disappointing and/or negative elements definitely include the shortage of blood and violence and arguably a glut of "coincidences" during the chase. Michael Antoine is really amazing as the killer, with grimaces and an aura of nihilism that genuinely petrifies you. Giallo-regular George Hilton ("The Case of the Bloody Iris", "My Dear Killer"…) is on autopilot for his familiar role of adulterous macho whereas the cute Christine Galbo gives away her second best performance ever, right after "What have you done to Solange". You may not fully get what you expect, but this is a seriously good giallo! Briefly put; "The Killer Must Kill Again" is a movie I must see again…and again, and again.