Killer Must Kill Again

Description

Director Luigi Cozzi ("Starcrash") made his feature film debut with this dark and disturbing thriller, very much in the mold of his mentor Dario Argento. Although regarded as a classic by fans of Italian horror, the film has been almost impossible to see for many years. This DVD debut is its first official US video release.

A rich womanizer (George Hilton) plans to murder his wife. He blackmails a man into doing the evil deed for him. The car with the murdered woman's corpse is stolen by a pair of joyriders. The vicious killer sets off in pursuit - with more than just murder on his mind this time.

Previously released in a cut, full-screen version, this DVD returns the film to its original length and is presented in a digitally restored format, enhanced for widescreen TVs.

SPECIAL DVD FEATURES:
English/Italian language choice
Optional subtitles
New anamorphic transfer from negative
Exclusive interview with film's director (20 minutes)
Initials: D.A. - working with Argento (15 minutes)
Audio commentary
Featurette on Italian shock thrillers (20 minutes)
Trailer (4 minutes)
Image gallery

Customer Reviews:

Very Worthwhile Post-Hitchcockian Thriller .......2006-02-02

If you're familiar with Hitchcock's body of work, which took a dark turn with FRENZY, and you wished he had pushed the envelope even further, this is the film for you.

With an attractive cast, a solid script, and a handful of cool locations, this film delivers the goods effectively and artfully. Cristina Galbo's portrayal of an alluring young virgin is exceptional, as is Michel Antoine as a laidback psychotic killer. All of the acting in this film is topnotch. The sets and costumes are incredibly efficient and serve the characterizations brilliantly.

There are a few cheesy opticals which interrupt the narrative, ill-conceived attempts to bolster the through-line of the story.

There are also some intense moments of violence, including a bit of blood and sordid nastiness, but the movie relies more on suspense and a well-wrought plot than on gore.

The DVD quality is tops. Picture and sound are excellent, and there are plenty of extras worth checking out.

After sitting through too many formulaic and predictable Hollywood thrillers over the last decade, this was a refreshing treat.

Phenomenal Giallo Masterpiece!.......2005-10-28

Not knowing what to expect from this movie I went in with an open mind. I was amazingly pleased with everything about this film. It exceeded my every expectation and more.

A chain of crimes begins when a dishonorable man named Mainardi (George Hilton) blackmails a serial killer (Michel Antoine) into murdering his wife. After a young couple (Alessio Orano and Cristina Galbó) burglarize the murderer's car, with the newly deceased corpse in its trunk, the killer sets off on a maniacal crime spree.

The film moves at a steady clip, the camera movements are slick and professional and the cinematography makes great use of shadow to create atmosphere and heighten tension. The film receives a stunning 2.35.1 anamorphic widescreen transfer taken from the film's original negative. Aside from some really minor print damage that shows up in the form of the odd speck here and there, and the very occasional scratch, this transfer looks amazing.

The acting is good all around, however, Antoine steals the show and is magnificent as a cruel, conscienceless killer. Cozzi's direction is also brilliant and he pays homage to the great Dario Argento with the initials D.A on the killers lighter.

"The Killer Must Kill Again" (otherwise known as "Il Ragno", or "The Spider") is a great 70's giallo classic that fans of the genre will certainly enjoy.

Solid and Stylish Thriller.......2005-06-12

I was going to automatically and immediately buy this film because it was presented by Mondo Macabro, a name I have learned to really respect and trust. MM has introduced me now to about a half-dozen astonishing films I'd previously never even heard of. Well, I hesitated in buying this because of the mixed reviews here on Amazon. So, I rented it first on Netflix.

Well, I watched it last night. This movie is totally solid, replete with suspense, beautiful venues, awesome music soundtrack, some scantily clad women, and the exotic atmosphere which many of us love in these European films. There is a surreal ambience in this genre which is totally addictive,and thus I have every Mario Bava, Jean Rollin, and Dario Argento film in print, and most of Jess Franco's stuff as well. What is sometimes lacking in plot is more than compensated for in scenery and dreamy weirdness. (I actually like these movies despite the common theme of murders of women, not because of them. I do realize the danger,the evil and the diabolical acts are necessary to create the tension, just as in a Dirty Harry-type movie. This movie in particular, however, only showed two women being killed, and only one of the murders was graphic. These scenes do certify the bad guy as bad, but they certainly aren't my favorite scenes. I know some of the fans of these movies like the spectacular gore. I personally don't enjoy it.)

Anyway, I suspect the negative reviews of this film come from people who are more into Hollywood big productions with lots of special effects and big name actors like Bruce Willis, Steven Segal, Billy Crystal, and Bambi. If you already have determined that you enjoy hidden treasures from the heyday of "Euro-trash" films (a totally ironic epithet due to the fact that these are categorically the most artistic films ever made), you will enjoy this film. It may not be your absolute favorite, but you absolutely will be glad to have it in your collection.

I LIKED IT............2005-05-31

the Giallo genre is one of my favorites,and i am pleased as punch to be able to add this to my collection.
other reviewers here dont seem to think much of the plot -
me,i found this to be comparable to many,many other giallos in terms of story,acting,production values,etc...
if you consider yourself a dedicated giallo fan,dont hesitate you need this for your collection.
if you have never even heard the term before,maybe skip this one and head over to the new release section at Blockbuster

Great DVD, mediocre film........2005-03-18

Full marks to Mondo Macabro for the DVD presentation: uncut widescreen transfer, director commentary, interviews, stills gallery and more. That said, THE KILLER MUST KILL AGAIN is an uninspired giallo, with a weak script and hamfisted direction. While the premise has possibilities, the execution is fumbled in almost every scene. The characters are neither sympathetic nor interesting, rendering their fates unimportant. The killer is played by Jean-Michel Antoine, who had memorable roles in A FISTFUL OF DYNAMITE, MY NAME IS NOBODY, THE WIND AND THE LION and THE BEYOND. Despite his striking appearance, Antoine is disappointing here, even allowing for the mediocre dubbing. Established as a homicidal sex maniac in the first scene, his character is barely developed, becoming less interesting as the film progresses. The 'twist' ending is, frankly, feeble. While director Luigi Cozzi comes across as an interesting guy, with a genuine love of cinema, this is not reflected in THE KILLER MUST KILL AGAIN. Mario Bava and Dario Argento bring both flair and passion to their best giallo films. Cozzi can barely manage technical competence.

DVD:

DVD

DVD