The legendary Italian genre filmmaker Stelvio Massi takes a rare foray into the heady, be-gloved milieu of the schlocky Giallo with 'Five Women for The Killer' aka '5 Donne Per L'Assassino', and for my money it still makes for a diverting piece of compelling genre cinema, besides, it's somewhat curious seeing the urbane British character actor, Francis 'Dracula' Matthews in such luridly unfamiliar surroundings! The only other Giallo I am aware Massi shot was the Bruno Nicolai-scored, much-loved 'The Case of The Bloody Iris' starring the deliriously delightful, sinfully sultry, yet curiously monikered superstar Edwige Fenech.
Maestro Massi is generally known for his exciting, uncommonly boisterous Euro-crime titles, but he is a versatile, more than capable director whose CV boasts some rather exemplary titles. It must also be noted that the sleazy premise to the unfairly neglected 'Five Women For The Killer' is pretty unsettling, as the initial murder remains a rather grim affair, reminded me a tad of the similarly stark Joe D'Amato effort, 'Absurd'. And the stolid, ubiquitous, but always likeable italian actor Howard Ross is fine as the beleaguered police commissioner, plus the requisite Giallo eye-candy is strikingly supplied by sleek, scintillating blond Katia 'Designated Victim' Christine! And along with Fernet-Branca posters and tall glistering glasses of J & B whiskey, no Giallo is close to being authentic without a bespoke sexy-sinister score, and talented composer Giorgio Gaslini delivers delivers the groovy goods!
