5 Dead on the Crimson Canvas

If you're a fan of Italian Gialli…grab the film. This is a stylishly shot low budget film that really attempts to deliver that old sleazy Giallo craziness without being a spoof. This is no comedy, Parda and the cast take the material very seriously.

While some may find the quality of the movie distracting, I found the grain and soft detail quite endearing. It was almost as if I was back in the eighties watching a 6th generation VHS bootleg of Deep Red! The guys behind 5 Dead on the Crimson Canvas even made sure to dub the film slightly off! I laughed my damn ass off as I watched. I kept thinking, "They had to of done this purposely!" and I'm fairly certain they did. It really lent a bit of authenticity to the film. I never feel quite right watching Italian horror films and Gialli with subtitles. It's gotta be dubbed for The Horror Pimp! Granted, it had issues. Which low budget film doesn't, right? One such issue was the soundtrack which fluctuated at times and threatened to drown out the actors vocals. Aside from that it was a decent soundtrack. I would have liked to have heard a soundtrack better resembling something like Goblin but you get what you get.

Another issue I feel worth noting is the dialog. It was extremely stiff at times. Now, I know that's sometimes a trademark of some Gialli, but it felt a bit too stiff in this film. Once again, you get what you get though and it's a minor gripe.

My hat is off to these gentlemen for making such a cool little film. It had a real story, outrageously twisted, interesting characters, tits, day glow blood and even a beatnik poet. Could a Giallo fan ask for anything more?

5 DEAD ON THE CRIMSON CANVAS is a pitiful tribute to the 'giallo' genre made on a shoestring budget in America - truly an 'indie' if ever I've seen one. While I do love the giallo film in general, this is totally unlike anything that springs to mind; all it has are murders committed by a black-clad killer and plenty of attempted style. The latter fails throughout, the lowest-common-denominator approach is on boring nudity and bloodshed, and the decision to deliberately add bad dubbing (pre-empting all those fake 'grindhouse' movies that would be made a decade later) is a criminal one.

I saw the movie some years ago on video, and I just came across it's listing on IMDB. It has that dark, "film noir" edge that comes across VERY well on the small screen. It also helps knowing the star, Joe Zaso. I've known him for some years, and have always enjoyed his performances.

Okay this is actually really fun. It's extremely low budget with the drawbacks that come with that but I really enjoyed it. It looks to me like a film student's effort at creating a tribute to giallo films, and this is obviously someone who loves those films very much and has carefully crafted a piece in their honor. Actually good for a giallo made in the 90s, much better than a lot of the italian attempts at giallo around this time. This one gets the atmosphere right. however, If you've never seen giallo... certainly don't start with this.

This movie is one id never heard of but after reading the good reviews and seeing the film for myself I am pleasantly surprised. If you like offbeat low budget films you will appreciate this one. Joe Zaso is great as is the rest of the cast. Worth having for the film buff for sure. Not to be missed so check it out. Surprising gore and murder scenes. Film students and films buffs will love it. Proves you don't have to have a big budget for a quality film. This shows you how you can make a film and be proud of it. Great effects and music. Joe Zaso is great in this one for sure he has done some amazing work so look for anything with him in it.