5 donne per l'assassino

The legendary Italian genre filmmaker Stelvio Massi takes a rare foray into the heady, be-gloved milieu of the schlocky Giallo with 'Five Women for The Killer' aka '5 Donne Per L'Assassino', and for my money it still makes for a diverting piece of compelling genre cinema, besides, it's somewhat curious seeing the urbane British character actor, Francis 'Dracula' Matthews in such luridly unfamiliar surroundings! The only other Giallo I am aware Massi shot was the Bruno Nicolai-scored, much-loved 'The Case of The Bloody Iris' starring the deliriously delightful, sinfully sultry, yet curiously monikered superstar Edwige Fenech.

Maestro Massi is generally known for his exciting, uncommonly boisterous Euro-crime titles, but he is a versatile, more than capable director whose CV boasts some rather exemplary titles. It must also be noted that the sleazy premise to the unfairly neglected 'Five Women For The Killer' is pretty unsettling, as the initial murder remains a rather grim affair, reminded me a tad of the similarly stark Joe D'Amato effort, 'Absurd'. And the stolid, ubiquitous, but always likeable italian actor Howard Ross is fine as the beleaguered police commissioner, plus the requisite Giallo eye-candy is strikingly supplied by sleek, scintillating blond Katia 'Designated Victim' Christine! And along with Fernet-Branca posters and tall glistering glasses of J & B whiskey, no Giallo is close to being authentic without a bespoke sexy-sinister score, and talented composer Giorgio Gaslini delivers delivers the groovy goods!

Director Stelvio Massi only contributed this film to the giallo genre, although he was the cinematographer for rather splendid The Case of the Bloody Iris. This movie perhaps indicates that he wasn't a natural with this type of material, as there is a somewhat plodding aspect to it on the whole. Nevertheless, as is mostly the way with serial-killer-on-the-loose gialli, it still remains very watchable and effective at times. The story in this one has a writer's wife dying while giving birth, immediately afterwards a series of murders begin with the victims all being pregnant women.

It wouldn't be too unfair to say that this one is one of the gialli which is lower on style, higher on sleaze. The story centres on some especially nasty murders, which were a bit much if you ask me! Those coupled with the nudity factor being very high generally puts this one squarely in the more exploitative end of the genre. The thriller element is often a bit under-played, although there are a few fairly suspenseful sequences here and there. I would additionally have to say that there is maybe a little too much police-procedure and chat overall too for the film's overall effectiveness. So, this fairly obscure example of the genre couldn't really be described as a lost classic or anything like that but it definitely benefits from still incorporating the main ingredients of this sub-genre - the mix might be a bit under-cooked in a number of ways but the final dish is still one which giallo enthusiasts will find some value in.

In Stelvio Massi's rare giallo "Five Women for the Killer" the mysterious and psychologically disturbed slasher kills women by cutting them from clitoris to stomach.All the victims are slashed naked and one murder is pretty strong and leaves nothing to the imagination.Very unusual and complex giallo with plenty of nudity and rather unmemorable music composed by Giorgio Gaslini Quartet.The plot moves swiftly,but there is not much suspense.The cast includes Howard Ross as Commissioner of Police and 80's porno queen Ilona Staller."Five Women for the Killer" is a valid film only for giallo completists.6 out of 10.

Although implausible, the screenplay had enough sudden new developments to satisfy the giallo buff ; unfortunately , it's Stelvio Massi 's wish ,but it's Dario Argento's and Mario Bava's reality ; his directing is poor,editing absurd ,and the actors are left to their own devices .Gore , (soft) sex and female nudity galore replace Bava's skillful lighting effects and Argento's sense of mystery and of disturbing places .

Even the action is monotonous and repetitive :every time woman gets pregnant (or claims she is) ,one knows something awful will happen to her....which does not sustain suspense .

Routine giallo Five Women for the Killer lacks the visual style and atmosphere present in the genre's best and better known examples, but makes up somewhat with plenty of sex and female nudity (the film's titular women are very attractive and happy to strip) and some mean-spirited and gory murders, the victims - all pregnant - graphically cut 'from clitoris to sternum'. Director Stelvio Massi's handling of the plot is a little sloppy, meaning that it's easy to lose track of who is who, and the sheer number of suspects only add to the confusion.

Prime suspect would appear to be writer Giorgio Pisani (Francis Matthews), whose wife Erika dies giving birth to their son, after which Georgio discovers that he is sterile. Has finding out that the baby isn't his child fractured his mind and turned him into a killer of fertile women? That would be too obvious, and this being a convoluted giallo, the real murderer is far less likely: other candidates for crazed killer include adulterous Professor Aldo Betti (Giorgio Albertazzi), Betti's crazy wife, deceitful Dr. Lidia Franzi (Pascale Rivault), Erika's seemingly sinister illegitimate brother, and ex-pimp turned clinic porter Pellegrino.

5.5/10, rounded down to 5 for the anticlimactic resolution and the horribly discordant soundtrack (which features jazz flute).