The Fifth Cord

1978

1h 33m

Mystery & Thriller

List

Reviews

56%

Audience Score

250+ Ratings

Police seem powerless to halt a mass murderer's campaign of madness and mayhem.

Read More

Read Less

Prime Video

Rent The Fifth Cord on Prime Video, or buy it on Prime Video.

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

The overstuffed plot is overshadowed by the visual compositions.

Rated: 2.5/4

Dec 4, 2021

Full Review

James Evans

Starburst

It's so much more than the murderous mayhem that unfolds onscreen.

Rated: 9/10

Feb 14, 2019

Full Review

Rob Aldam

Backseat Mafia

Bazzoni has created a worthy entry into the sub-genre.

Jan 30, 2019

Full Review

Read all reviews

Tim

The '70s was the decade during which the 'giallo' genre grew and flourished, spawning underground film hits such as 'The bird with the crystal plummage' and 'Deep red' by the infamous Dario Argento. ' 'The fifth cord' (1971, not 1978) is an early example of soft 'giallo' in which Franco Nero is quite convincing as the under suspicion journalist who is trying to solve the mystery of several bizarre killings. The plot may seem convoluted at times, but the cinematography and film story deserve a try - if only, the film dubbing was not that annoying in certain scenes.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/14/22

Full Review

Audience Member

One of the best giallo films i've ever seen...!!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/23/23

Full Review

Audience Member

It doesn't break the mould but it does have fabulous photography--Ambiance, architecture, atmosphere!!

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A rather weak effort at giallo with the original "Django" star, though Silvia Monti looks hot as a young Loren/Welch cross.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This early seventies giallo has all the right elements in more ways than one. Firstly, the music by Ennio Morricone and the photography from the always tremendous Vittorio Storaro is a great pairing for a giallo as evidenced in Dario Argento's early seventies masterpiece "The Bird With the Crystal Plumage" where the results of their collaboration is arguably better. Secondly, it has all the themes, tropes, and, naturally, the scenes of stylistic violence - aplenty for its date of release. Thirdly, and in conclusion, the movie is gripping because all the elements collide to make a near-perfect giallo if not only for some tepid dialogue. And who can go wrong with a giallo that often looks like a Bergman chamber picture then the next minute the screen dazzles with illuminated scenes of high saturation and Bava-like lighting. A must see for fans of the genre.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/14/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Minus 1 star for the sparse and practically non-existent storyline. 4 stars for Vittorio Storaro's GORGEOUS cinematography making me not give a rat's a** about the story.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

Luigi Bazzoni

Director

Franco Nero

Andrea Bild

Edmund Purdom

Edouard Vermont

Pamela Tiffin

Lu Auer

Silvia Monti

Helene Volta

Wolfgang Preiss

Actor

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

View more photos

Synopsis

Police seem powerless to halt a mass murderer's campaign of madness and mayhem.

Director: Luigi Bazzoni
Screenwriter: Mario di Nardo, Mario Fanelli, Luigi Bazzoni
Production Co: B.R.C. Produzione S.r.l., Dario
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 18, 2014
Runtime: 1h 33m

Most Popular at Home Now