MOVIE: The Red Queen Kills Seven Times (1972)

 

The Red Queen Kills Seven Times

aka La damma rossa uccide sette volte

Directed by Emilio Miraglia

Starring Barbara Bouchet, Ugo Pagliai, Marina Malfatti, Sybil Danning

Phoenix Cinematografica/Romano Film/Traian Boeru/Cineriz 1972

 

A prophecy (portrayed in a family painting) dictates that there is a curse on the Wildenbrücks: Every 100 years two sisters will grow to hate each other. One (depicted as the Black Queen), will kill the other (known as the Red Queen). The prophecy says that the Red Queen will then return, killing seven times to avenge her death.

For the current generation of the family, the prophecy seems to be working its spell as Kitty Wildenbrück accidentally kills sister Eveline during a fight. Older sibling Franziska helps to cover the death up, leading everyone to believe that Eveline has gone to the USA, but when grandfather Tobias dies of a fear-induced heart attack and a series of murders linked to Kitty occur, a police artist’s impression of the killer resembles none other than Eveline…

That’s a pretty hefty premise to kick off this giallo with German-shot exteriors. Director Miraglia was perhaps looking to capture the same lightning in a bottle that had made his 1971 effort, The Night Evelyn Came Out Of The Grave such a success, recasting Marina Malfatti from that particular venture. However, this cracking little thriller more than holds its own against its predecessor. Indeed, I might even suggest it’s a better, more rounded film.

Considering that, it’s a great shame that Miraglia never directed another picture after this, but he rounded off his slim filmography with a most enjoyable outing full of the required twists, turns and red herrings. If not quite the peak of the giallo form, it’s certainly a superior entry in the cycle which will more than satisfy the form’s disciples. Horror fans, meanwhile, will find plenty to enjoy in the superbly mounted and executed stalk-and-slash moments, and a water-drenched finale has more than a touch of Poe about it.

A fantastic score from Bruno Nicolai tops things off nicely. Often overshadowed by his fellow countryman Ennio Morricone, his contribution to Italian cinema should never be underestimated.

Interesting aside: The striking imagery of a killer clad in red predates Don’t Look Now by a good year or so.