Cold Eyes of Fear [Import]

This is an average example of the Italian Giallo, the story set in London, switching between a solicitor's office and his stately house, which is occupied by his solicitor nephew and a prostitute.

The plot is fairly good, involving an elaborate revenge on the elder solicitor for a wrongful judgement some years earlier. This film has some good twists but is tense only at times. It seems to drag and much more could have been made of the frightful atmosphere in the house. Instead, we have over-used extreme close-ups and plenty of screaming and shouting.

Not a bad film by any means, but there are plenty better examples of the genre.

I don't know what people are talking about when they say its an average example of the giallo, when its not at all a giallo! Just because its Italian and people die does not make it giallo. There is no black gloved killer, no red herrings, no sexually charged situations, no surprise endings and reveals as to who the killer is, or any other typical elements of the giallo. If you go into it looking for a giallo, then of course you will be disappointed. Here we know who the antagonists are and their motive is gradually revealed throughout the first half of the film. Then the next half is occupied by the increasingly desperate struggles of the captives to stay alive and to get free. Taken as a thriller, the movie succeeds. There is tension, uncertainty, intelligent victims who you can root for and who give the antagonists a good run for their money. Most of the film takes place within an apartment, which creates a suffocating feeling that allows the viewer to better enter the protagonists experience in the film. The ending was excellent. The actors did a great job for the most part but the ending was beautiful, with so much emoting done strictly through the eyes. Anyway, I was not expecting much from this film and I got a lot, so much that I will definitely preorder the blu ray. Give it a chance on its own merits and leave your giallo expectations at the door.

COLD EYES OF FEAR aka DESPERATE MOMENTS is a thriller (though hardly a giallo) that hits some of the right notes but overall does not deliver what a genre fan is seeking. Some decent performances and a nice appearance by Fernando Rey do not elevate this film from the mire of an over-saturated genre. The only reason most (I among them) will be curious about this title is the director. I've seen five films directed by Enzo Castellari (most known as being the guy who made a film called INGLORIOUS BASTARDS a few decades before Tarantino took to the title) and this one is at the bottom of the pack (though up against the likes of KEOMA and STREET LAW, it's hard to put up a good fight).

The film is presented in widescreen and the picture is decent enough for a somewhat-obscure thriller. The main issue I have with this DVD is the sound mix, which is inconsistent with dialogue and features a lot of fuzz and a raspy quality on certain consonants. It's like listening to an old, beat-up record with pops and static throughout. Ennio Morricone's score shines through and is probably the best part of the film. Having seen countless films that feature his work, this is one of the first that I could not name the composer on hearing it. It is its own character and is a very positive contribution.

Since this DVD can be had for very little (my copy came out to $4.90 with shipping), it can be worth it for the curious (like me) or Castellari die-hards. It meanders to its conclusion and the excess detailed by the back of the DVD insert is exaggerated to say the least. Not the most worthy entry in Castellari's oeuvre nor in the Italian thriller catalogue, but not without merit. If you have to see all of them, don't make this one a priority.