Torso

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Allan C Solid but not brilliant Italian giallo slasher flick Torso (1972) ***1/2 It had been a while since I’d last watched this film, but in my mind I’d been confusing it with the American slasher film PIECES (not to be confused with the earlier slasher film PARTS), so seeing this Sergio Martino giallo was kind of an unexpected treat. Co-eds at an Italian university are being strangled by a faceless killer. Of all the lothario college boys, who could be behind these murders? It’s pretty standard giallo fare, but it’s executed quite well. The film’s final act is particularly thrilling, which is something of a precursor to 80s slasher film final girl third acts. TORSO is a bit sleazier and more violent than other giallos of this era, which will likely delight or turn off viewers depending upon your perspective. Martino is kind of a conundrum for me. Some of his films are unabashed classics, such as YOUR VICE IS A LOCKED ROOM AND ONLY I HAVE THE KEY or THE STRANGE VICE OF MRS. WARDH, but he also has a ton of garbage, such as ISLAND OF THE FISHMEN or THE ALLIGATOR, though I suppose I could say the same for Dario Argento. Maybe it’s an Italian exploitation filmmaker thing? But back to TORSO, it doesn’t bring anything especially new to the genre, but it features some scary set pieces, a decent mystery, and some attractive leading ladies. It’s nowhere as good as something like DEEP RED or BIRD WITH THE CRYSTAL PLUMAGE, but it features just about everything you’d hope for in a giallo, which, despite its faults, is one of the better examples of the Italian giallo not directed by Dario Argento. Below is my review from the last time I watched it, and this time I lowered my review by half a star.  6-27-20 Solid porto-slasher Italian who-done-it thriller Torso (1973) I corpi presentano tracce di violenza carnale (original title) **** I’m a little late to the game when it comes to director Sergio Martino, who I was really only familiar with for his 80s Max Max ripoff movies, which were enjoyable if nothing exceptional (personally, I have the unpopular opinion that the Filipino Mad Max knockoffs by Cirio H. Santiago are the best of the low budget warriors of the wasteland flicks), but this Giallo/proto-slasher is pretty entertaining. It’s a familiar set-up of a hooded killer strangling pretty college girls. Quentin Tarantino and Eli Roth count this film among their favorites, but I’m not sure it quite grabbed me the same way. For Italian body-count proto-slashers, I prefer Mario Bava’s "Blood and Black Lace," but the mystery here is actually pretty good, and the kills in the film are scary and at times shocking, which you’d expect from a 70s Giallo, so it’s satisfying in that respect. Overall, it’s not as smart or as elegant as Martino’s "Your Vice Is a Locked Room and Only I Have the Key," but it’s never boring. Recommended for fans of these sorts of films. Others might want to pass.  CAPSULE REVIEW: Torso is a solid, well-executed giallo whose sleazy violence and tense final act make up for its familiar plot and genre clichés. It doesn’t reach the heights of Argento’s best work, but it delivers enough suspense, mystery, and stylish brutality to satisfy fans of Italian slashers. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 12/01/25 Full Review Melissa L An Italian film with a lot of nudity and sex, but a beautiful filmography. It was subbed, and had an rudimentary early slasher vibe. Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 09/08/25 Full Review Garry A There is a respectable body count just over an hour into the film. That's basically it and makes the last 30 minutes mostly a drag. There is gratuitous nudity and the last 10 minutes are over the top theatrics. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 08/13/25 Full Review Stephen C Success in 1.5 hours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Filmed on location all over Italy and dubbed and subtitled in the United States of America!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/27/25 Full Review Jonathan O Torso is a sleazy giallo slasher thriller with terrific cinematography and editing and it does have Dario Argento and Lucio Fulci giallo of the 70's Italian thriller. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 09/20/24 Full Review Brad P Torso plays like a proto-slasher while also utilizing signposts endemic to the giallo genre. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/01/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Torso

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