ELIO PETRI

Bil’s rating (out of 5):  BB.5

Original title:  Un Tranquillo Posto Di Campagna

Italy/France, 1969.  Produzioni Europee Associate, Les Productions Artistes Associés.  Story by Tonino Guerra, Elio Petri, Screenplay by Luciano Vincenzoni, Elio Petri.  Cinematography by Luigi Kuveiller.  Produced by Alberto Grimaldi.  Music by Ennio Morricone.  Production Design by Sergio Canevari.  Costume Design by Franco Carretti.  Film Editing by Ruggero Mastroianni.  

Abstract painter Franco Nero decides that city life makes completing his latest gallery of works far too difficult. He asks his married agent and lover (Vanessa Redgrave) to rent a country manor for him to work in until he can finally complete his new series.  Once there he finds himself being overtaken by a strange spirit that is inhabiting the house, one which has some connection to a sexually adventurous girl who once lived there and was accidentally shot during a World War II air raid.

The visuals are marvelously psychedelic in this Italian horror film, and Ennio Morricone’s musical score divinely weird, but it’s far too unpleasantly odd to be appreciable. Its obscurity doubtless makes it a cult favourite, and curiosity is definitely a good enough reason to give it a try.

Berlin Film Festival Award: Silver Bear