Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Movie review - "Knife of Ice" (1972) **

Another teaming of Carroll Baker and director Umbert Lezni, who had previously made Orgasmo and Paranoia  together. She plays a mute traumatised by the death of her parents years ago who encounters a killer. (Shades of The Spiral Staircase).

This is less exploitative than previous Baker vehicles - no nudity, less violence, more suspense. Not as trashy - or, to be blunt, as interesting. There is some camp, notably the presence of a devil worshipper who looks very Charles Manson.

Baker is excellent; I have no idea what she thought of all these giallos she made around this time, but they gave her a chance to really act: she's completely convincing, conveying emotion mostly via her face and eyes (ironic since Baker was so renowned for her voice).

The rest of the film isn't up to her standard; no other character we can really engage with, too many bad actors and red herrings. The script lacks decent twists and/or memorable moments . It is worth checking out for Carroll Baker fans, though.


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