The Devil with Seven Faces

Despite the title, which suggests that this will be a horror film, The Devil with Seven Faces is actually a straight crime thriller. The film features several of the Giallo trademarks; but gory murder isn't one of them, and instead the plot focuses on a missing diamond worth one million pounds. The style of the film is very much Italian, with all the characters being of the slick and cool variety and the plot taking a backseat to some odd decisions and unlikely happenings. It's safe to say that this isn't the usual Giallo and some fans may be disappointed; but in its own right, The Devil with Seven Faces is a fun little thriller with lots to enjoy. The plot focuses on Julie Harrison, a woman who finds herself being chased by criminals after it emerges that her twin sister Mary stole an expensive diamond and then double crossed her partner. She meets Tony; a suave racing car driver who saves her from the criminals and gives her a place to hide. But the plot thickens when a diamond dealer turns up and mistakes Julie for her sister...

The film features two of the major Giallo stars; George Hilton and Umberto Lenzi's favourite leading lady, Carroll Baker - who are reunited after 1968's The Sweet Body of Deborah. I'm not Carroll Baker's biggest fan, but she has a lot of experience playing the terrified woman and she does well with the central role. George Hilton also plays to his strengths as the charming, but strangely sinister leading man and the pair have a good on-screen chemistry. The plot flows well throughout and there's usually enough going on to ensure that the film never becomes boring. Director Osvaldo Civirani populates the film with enough car chases and shootouts to make sure that it remains entertaining even when the plot isn't doing much. It soon becomes obvious where it's going, but the ending is well handled and the twist is logical even if it isn't exactly difficult to guess. Overall, the fact that this film doesn't follow the Giallo formula may make it disappointing for people expecting a gory, murder-fuelled thrill ride - but in it's own right, this is a decent film and I recommend it.