This is an intense and compelling "corruption of the young" themed police thriller (the so-called Poliziotteschi genre) from the director of the masterful What Have You Done To Solange?. After a teenage girl is found hanging naked in a rented attic, a tale of murder, enforced prostitution of minors and the involvement of citizens of regard unfolds as the police and Assistant DA investigate. This is a straight thriller with no relieving humour, the whole enterprise is dark toned and bleak.
The leads are ably played with suitable intensity and conviction by Claudio Cassinelli and Giovanna Ralli and they are backed up by a cast who really seem to have been involved in this film. As also evident in ...Solange? Dallamano seems to be one of the best directors of actors within the Italian genre scene of the 1970s. He is a fine stylist also, and the film is a treat for the eyes with superb use of sets to heighten the mystery and unease (a chase through unnerving hospital corridors, stalking in an enclosed car park and so on). The film's action scenes are exceptional with a top quality car/motorbike chase that is real edge-of-the-seat stuff.
Shameless Screen Entertainment present this film on DVD in its longest form yet, and with excellent picture quality. A loving and respectful release that the film entirely deserves. it is truly a masterpiece of Italian genre cinema and, as close as it is to the excellence of What Have You Done To Solange?, further evidence of the talent of Massimo Dallamano, who would die at only 59, two years after this film was released.
For Eurocult fans this is absolutely essential viewing, but the film is strong enough to appeal to mainstream thriller watchers too. A fantastic film.
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