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The Bird With the Crystal Plumage

Play trailer Poster for The Bird With the Crystal Plumage PG Released Jun 12, 1970 1h 38m Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
85% Tomatometer 40 Reviews 80% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
An American writer, Sam Dalmas (Tony Musante), is living in Rome with his girlfriend, Julia (Suzy Kendall). While visiting an art gallery, Sam witnesses an unsuccessful murder attempt by a mysterious figure. As the assailant is believed to be an infamous serial killer, Sam quickly becomes a key witness in the ongoing police investigation. After he begins searching for clues that may help him identify the killer, Sam discovers that he may be the next intended victim.
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The Bird With the Crystal Plumage

The Bird With the Crystal Plumage

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Critics Consensus

Combining a deadly thriller plot with stylized violence, The Bird with the Crystal Plumage marks an impressive horror debut for Dario Argento.

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Critics Reviews

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Joseph Gelmis Newsday A middling potboiler that suffers from being dubbed and full of holes so wide you can drive a Ferrari through them. Sep 27, 2022 Full Review William B. Collins Philadelphia Inquirer A certain amount of ingenuity lifts The Bird with the Crystal Plumage above the run-of-the-mill murder mystery. Sep 27, 2022 Full Review Myles Standish St. Louis Post-Dispatch This Italian Hitchcock keeps the tension high, a taut suspense that grabs the viewer, and an effective atmosphere of menace and horror. Sep 26, 2022 Full Review Joe Baltake Philadelphia Daily News Dario Argento has indeed whipped up a creeper to send chills up and down the spine. Sep 27, 2022 Full Review Eric Atkins Tampa Bay Times Enough to make you clutch your partner in sheer delightful fright. Sep 26, 2022 Full Review John Bustin Austin American-Statesman It's all rather contrived and hackneyed, and even a devotee of old-fashioned mystery pictures won't get more than a very routine sort of entertainment from it. Sep 26, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Suzan L My favorite Argento film. I finally got to see it on the big screen. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/02/21 Full Review Tasos L A very good Argento film. The feeling is great in this one and there are no exaggerations that would make it boring. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 10/31/24 Full Review Christian K The Italian Hitchcock, indeed. A grimy, giallo mystery thriller with the predictably high level of design and style. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/07/24 Full Review Twiggy H Wasn't disappointed - a tad cliche at times for a film of its time, but never dull. Pretty decent cinematics and i'll pretend i didn't notice the exhibition scene had white painted chip broad for flooring *giggle* Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/20/24 Full Review Ray M Not bad would see it again Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/08/24 Full Review Jon N An excellent giallo, possibly one of Argento's best. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/29/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Bird With the Crystal Plumage

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis An American writer, Sam Dalmas (Tony Musante), is living in Rome with his girlfriend, Julia (Suzy Kendall). While visiting an art gallery, Sam witnesses an unsuccessful murder attempt by a mysterious figure. As the assailant is believed to be an infamous serial killer, Sam quickly becomes a key witness in the ongoing police investigation. After he begins searching for clues that may help him identify the killer, Sam discovers that he may be the next intended victim.
Director
Dario Argento
Producer
Salvatore Argento
Distributor
Universal Marion Corporation
Production Co
CCC Filmkunst GmbH, Seda Spettacoli, Glazier
Rating
PG
Genre
Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
Italian
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 12, 1970, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 29, 2017
Runtime
1h 38m
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