Cinco Mulheres para o Assassino

A writer's wife dies giving birth prematurely. The child is placed in a health clinic. It is there that the writer learns he is sterile. Soon after, pregnant women begin to be killed, all of whom either crossed the writer's path or are related to the clinic where the writer's child is recovering. The police suspect the writer. Is he the killer? Five Women for the Killer is a competently made Italian thriller (a giallo). The film lacks the baroque style of the best of the genre and most of the murders occur off screen. Furthermore, while the film has its moments of graphicness, it does not quite revel in the sleaze like some of its peers. Still, the film is a worthwhile view for a few reasons.

First, the film successfully utilizes the stand-by of the clue that can't be remembered. The protagonist has seen something that he cannot remember, but he knows it's important. In some movies (like Deep Red), the clue is rather illogically recalled, but, here, both the clue and its recall are believable (and can be spotted by close watching viewers).

Second, the film's plot tries to be a mystery that can be solved through clues. The film plays fair with its mystery, and even provides something of a twist at the end.

Third, although the killer wears gloves, they are not black!

Few will regard 5 Women for the Killer as a must see. However, the film generally holds interest. Fans of Euro-thrillers might want to give it a try.

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 .

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!

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.

When Giorgio Pisani returns home he finds his wife (that was expecting a baby) dead, but their child is alive. But then he discovers something that unsettles him.... and strangely enough someone starts to kill all pregnant women around. The police step in to investigate the murders.

This is a strange giallo – In 1974, Stelvio Massi made 3 films – "Macrò", "Squadra volante" and "5 donne per l'assassino". This may explain why the film has such an air of improvisation - the story is chaotically told and the film is uneven. Massi wanted to make a sophisticated, atmospheric giallo and sometimes he succeeds in creating good moments, thanks mainly to a good camera work. Active hand-held cameras following the action, a fast editing and zooms in and out skillfully used, give the film an almost frantic feel . There's also an inspired and flamboyant soundtrack (ranging from free jazz to romantic themes) that sometimes seems somewhat unrelated to the images. Limitations of time and budget gave the murder scenes (some of them good) an incomplete look – the final touch that crowns them is kind of amateurish. The main attraction of "5 donne per l'assassino" is the female cast – delicious eurobabes that are not shy of nudity, be it while they're making love, be it while they're being killed.

In short, the story in "5 donne per l'assassino" is simple and not very original, but the film is frenetic and extravagant. "5 donne per l'assassino" has its moments, but it's not a "good" film (too irregular for that!), still, real giallo buffs may discover something under its rough/stylish surface.