The prolific Italian director Joe D’Amato liked this 1973 Poe-influenced Gothic horror so much that he attached his actual real name, Aristide Massaccesi, to it upon its release. We fully agree with Joe as this is one of his very best films and thanks to Arrow it can now be enjoyed in this excellent new Blu-ray release.
Set in Austria in the first decade of the 20th century, Death Smiles on a Murderer tells of the beautiful and tragic Greta, a young woman routinely abused by all of the men in her life, including her insane brother, Franz. When Greta dies Franz resurrects her using ancient magic to take revenge on the von Ravensbrück family he believes destroyed her. Greta inserts herself into the lives of Walter and Eva von Ravensbrück and as her power over them intensifies, violence and tragedy will tear the family apart. That’s pretty much it for the plot, because here D’Amato is concerned with mood and atmosphere, and this is where the film excels.
Plenty of films have sought to achieve the feeling of a dream or a nightmare with varying degrees of success. D’Amato absolutely nails that approach here and provides us with the only caveat in recommending this film. To some, his focus on imagery over narrative cohesion might prove patience-testing. But for us this was all part of the joy of Death Smiles on a Murderer. Also working as cinematographer, Joe ignores a relatively low budget and goes all out on making his film often remarkably, hypnotically beautiful. It’s aided and enhanced here by a glorious 2K scan for this release which shows off the costumes, set design, mix of grisly horror and beauty and D’Amato’s direction. The eerie score by Berto Pisano is perfect to match all of this. Ewa Aulin is beguiling as the vengeful Greta and she is supported by some excellent performances including Klaus Kinski in an extended cameo. But the real highlight is Angela Bo who is outstandingly good as Eva, falling apart through sexual desire and jealousy. It’s a great performance and a wonderful film.
Arrow’s release recognises this. In addition to that excellent picture we get a commentary by genre expert Tim Lucas. There’s a six-minute archival interview with D’Amato looking back on his achievement with affection, as well as a 43-minute newly made career retrospective with Aulin. Trailers, galleries and a first pressing collector’s booklet add further value, all capped by critic Kat Ellinger’s marvellous 22-minute video essay on D’Amato’s horror films. It’s the release this classic of Italian genre cinema deserves and comes very highly recommend.
DEATH SMILES ON A MURDERER (1973) / CERT: 18 / DIRECTOR: ARISTIDE MASSACCESI / SCREENPLAY: CLAUDIO BERNABEI, ARISTIDE MASSACCESI, ROMANO SCANDARIATO / STARRING: EWA AULIN, KLAUS KINSKI, ANGELA BO, SERGIO DORIA / RELEASE DATE: MAY 21ST
