Homem Sem Memória

This little seen thriller is a solid entry into the giallo canon that was directed by Duccio Tessari (who did the equally good "The Bloodstained Butterfly") and written by Ernesto Gastaldi (who is the iconic writer of the giallo genre).

The narrative features an interesting narrative hook (a man can't remember who he is and now thugs are after him for something he hid... and he doesn't know where it is, let alone *what* it is). Unfortunately, the film doesn't utilize its intriguing plot premise to the fullest, with essentially the amnesia element pushed aside for most of the movie, and instead relies on more conventional means of telling the story. Fortunately, the writer manages to more successfully integrate the amnesia element towards the end which allow for a few plot twists, but not to the degree it could have achieved.

The direction is fine but nothing exemplary, and the performances are all solid but not particularly memorable. In other words, everything is competent and efficient, but it doesn't really standout from the majority of thrillers that saturate our viewing repertoire.

However, it certainly is an above average example of the giallo genre, with narrative that is better than most gialli and even has a terrific climax, but it's also certainly not a classic film in any respect.

Highly recommended for giallo fans, a solid recommendation to thriller aficionados, but others may wish to simply view a better example of the genre, such as "Deep Red".

Also, the film references Stanley Donan's film "Charade", see if you can catch it...

In London, an amnesiac is abducted and beaten by a stranger who calls him a "dirty son of a double-crosser." When a sniper's bullet kills his attacker, the amnesiac flees the country with airline tickets provided by a wife he never knew he had. Arriving in Portofino, the amnesiac is called a "dirty rotten bastard" by his wife, and threatened by another stranger to return a million dollars in uncut heroin - or die. Duccio Tessari's stylish L'UOMO SENZA MEMORIA/MAN WITHOUT A MEMORY, aka PUZZLE (1974), tears a page or two from Terence Young's WAIT UNTIL DARK, substituting for sightlessness a memory loss that seems self-willed. The more the amnesiac (Luc Merenda) learns of his past, the more he wants to forget (Hal Hartley's indie AMATEUR mined similar territory twenty years later). Tessari (A PISTOL FOR RINGO, DEATH OCCURRED LAST NIGHT, THE BLOODSTAINED BUTTERFLY) and scenarist Ernesto Gastaldi (WEREWOLF IN A GIRL'S DORMITORY, TORSO) make the principal characters surprisingly likeable for giallo pawns and the derivativeness of the narrative is offset by a series of nicely staged setpieces (a razor slashing predates Angie Dickinson's postcoital comeuppance in Brian DePalma's DRESSED TO KILL by more than half a decade). Senta Berger proves an above average heroine, and even gets to brandish a chainsaw in the film's tense conclusion. This film won't convert any new fans to the giallo genre, but should provide an invigorating diversion to those familiar with the rules of the game.

Duccio Tessari's "L'Uomo Senza Memoria" (aka. "The Man Without Memory" / "Puzzle") of 1974 is not (yet) a very well-known Giallo, but it sure is a great film worthy of more attention. For the great Giallo-genre, especially in the mid-70s, this film bares very few murders and little bloodshed, but that does in no way lessen its value as a terrific Thriller that no Giallo-buff, or even suspense-fan in general should miss. Especially to those who set the main value on the mystery aspect of a Giallo, this is an essential film. The title "The Man Without Memory" fits the film perfectly, of course, as the central character (superbly played by Luc Merenda) is a man who suffers from amnesia. Yet the aka. title "Puzzle" fits the film just as well, as this is indeed a highly compelling and intelligent puzzle, which is capable of stunning the viewer from the first minute.

Edward (Luc Merenda) has lost his memory. Without knowing why, he is being followed by people, who insist that he owes them something. He finds out that he has a wife in Italy, who turns out to be the beautiful Sara (Senta Berger). This is only the first step into his mysterious past, however... I do not want to give away too much about the plot, since this is an ingenious puzzle that all fellow Giallo-buffs should experience entirely for themselves. The film is excellent and stunning in its mystery and suspense, beautifully shot and accompanied by a great score. The performances are superb. Luc Merenda, star of Poliziotteschi such as "The Violent Professionals", was the perfect choice to play the lead here, and beautiful Senta Berger is sexy, lovable and great in the role of Sara. The cast furthermore includes the wonderful Anita Strindberg, who was part of many memorable Gialli, such as "The Scorpion's Tail", "Lizard In A Woman's Skin", "Who Saw Her Die", and, most notably in Sergio Martino's Poe-inspired masterpiece "Your Vice Is A Locked Room And Only I Have The Key", which is a strong contender for my personal all-time favorite Giallo. Strindberg only has a small role here, but she is doubtlessly great in it. The cast furthermore includes Umberto Orsini ("Violent City") and Genre-regular Bruno Corazzari ("The Strange Vice Of Mrs Wardh", "Seven Blood-Stained Orchids",...). "The Man Without Memory" is a very intelligent and enthralling film that deserves more attention, and that no Giallo-lover can afford to miss! Highly recommended!

I was just amazed when I finished watching this Italian thriller. Inspired in quite a few American and European movies of this kind, it gets you intrigued from the start till the end. Strange events, mysterious characters, (including the main one who is an amnesic man who doesn´t know who he is or why someone is trying to kill him), the right rhythm and really thrilling moments make this movie one of the best Italian thrillers I´ve ever seen. Absolutely recommended.

Luc Merenda has amnesia. He woke up from an auto accident about a year ago and has been unable to remember anything about his life. He had identification on him, but nothing can be found about his past. His psychiatrist introduces him to someone who claims to know him, but he immediately attacks Merenda demanding to know where the stuff is. Someone shoots and kills him through Merenda's window.

Merenda learned a bit from the guy. He learned that his name is actually "Ted Walden" and that he has a wife waiting for him in Italy. When someone sends him info about his wife and a train ticket, he goes to see her.

His wife is Senta Berger. She's assumed for the last year that Merenda ran out on her. She learns of his imminent arrival, but someone breaks into her house ... but doesn't take anything. When Merenda arrives, he's confronted by Bruno Corazzari who claims they are friends and partners in a shady deal that was to net them $1 million. The problem is that Merenda has the goods, and if he doesn't start remembering, the big boss will come after all of them.

After this fairly compelling setup, this film settles into a long rut before livening up for a delightfully absurd climax involving Chekhov's chainsaw and a villain undone when the rug is literally pulled out from under him. I think anyone watching this will know who the main villain is long before the film bothers to tell you, but it's a mildly entertaining diversion. It's pretty tame for a giallo, especially one this late in the cycle, but Duccio Tessari delivers this one just fine.

Anita Strindberg has a tiny, but fairly significant role.