François Truffaut
once said of Alfred Hitchcock’s films, "It was impossible not to see that
the love scenes were filmed like murder scenes, and the murder scenes like love
scenes...It occurred to me that in Hitchcock's cinema...to make love and to die
are one and the same." Ever since
films have been made, there has been a perverse connection between the violent
and the erotic. From 1931’s Dracula to 2016’s Neon Demon, instances of this connection have only intensified, and
no genre exemplifies this better than that of the slasher film.
Andrea Bianchi’s 1975
giallo slasher flick Strip Nude for Your
Killer is perhaps one of the most blatant films to show this sex/violence
parallel. It is sexploitation in the
purest sense, enticing the viewer with bosoms galore, and then quickly
revolting them with homicide in some sort of balancing act between arousal and
terror. It might not be fine art, but it
is most definitely sordid excitement for the right audience.
Carlo (Nino Castelnuovo),
a somewhat lascivious fashion photographer, becomes entangled in a series of
murders when people start showing up dead at the modeling agency for which he
works. The helmeted, black motorcycle
outfit-clad murderer is hard for the authorities to pin down. Alongside Carlo’s raven-haired assistant and
eventual lover Magda (Edwige Fenech), the two attempt to identify the murderer
before they become the killer’s next victims.
This film is not for
the prudish. In the opening sequence, we
bear witness to a botched back alley abortion, followed by a scene where we are
introduced to our protagonist nearly stalking a buxom bikini-clad girl, taking
photographs without her permission and ultimately screwing her in a steam room. If this description makes you flinch, then
stay away from the film. For us perverts
that decide to stick it out (no pun intended), we are inundated with more of
the same: unapologetic gore and gorgeous
naked women (none of whom actually strip nude for the killer, contrary to the title).
Despite being more
flagrant in its sexuality than some of its peers, Strip Nude for Your Killer is nothing new. Breasts aside, several elements of the film
make it stand out and worth a watch for fans of the genre: the first of which is
its decision to have no score during some of its kill scenes. Suspense builds as we hear the murderer’s
accentuated breathing beneath the helmet and nothing else. This is a particularly effective strategy for
building tension and quite different from a traditional horror film where
composers make scores intensify and then climax during a murder: the Jaws theme, for example.
The other aspect of
this film that is noteworthy for its genre is its sense of female empowerment
just beneath what one could easily deem complete female objectification. The character of Magda, despite being sexually
uninhibited, has a confidence and career-focused mentality about her that
distinguishes her from many of the vapid victims in this film. Speaking broadly to avoid spoilers, by the
film’s conclusion, one could say there is an implication that feminine strength
is a force to be reckoned with and not taken for granted.
Regardless of its
somewhat redeeming qualities, the film lacks any sort of focus or depth. None of the characters are empathetic (in
fact, they are mostly deplorable), the tone is largely inconsistent, and the
premise isn’t anything new. At its
worst, it feels like a softcore porn, and at best, it feels like a subpar
giallo film. Giallo is known for its
rich visuals and creative kills, but this film has none of that. If it weren’t for its stylish-looking killer,
investigative nature, and the fact that it’s Italian, it bears no semblance to
a giallo film, despite being referenced as one quite frequently.
The recent Arrow
Blu-ray release is the finest this film has ever looked. The 2K restoration makes the colors warmer
and the sound effects crisper. Like most
Arrows, this Blu-ray is choc-full of extras:
it offers the option of either the English or Italian language version
of the film, a choice to watch the opening sequence in a blue tint (which some
prints featured), and an audio commentary by authors David Flint and Adrian J.
Smith. Sex & Death With a Smile, a video essay by critic Kat Ellinger,
delves further into the connection between sex and violence in the giallo
genre, in addition to exploring Edwige Fenech’s career. Many extensive interviews are also included
with this Blu-ray: star Nino
Castelnuovo, actress Erna Schurer, actor/production manager Tino Polenghi, and
assistant director Daniele Sangiorgi all add insight to the film and their
craft, making this Blu-ray a worthy buy for fans of the film.
While Strip Nude for Your Killer is flawed, it
is a good time for audiences that aren’t easily offended and don’t mind a
little smut. It appeals to our most
primal instincts, and is even good for a few laughs. Cast your judgments aside and explore all
that this Arrow Blu-ray has to offer; it might just leave you with a greater
appreciation for the film.
Score:
- Andrea Riley