24 ore di terrore

I had to watch this one after finding out it was a mix of Giallo and Euro-crime, well before either of those genres where particularly popular. Also, as this was made during the Gothic Horror, so almost the entire film takes place in a huge mansion. And it's a load of old enjoyable codswollop.

After spending an awfully long time watching a man drive a car, park a car, and then walk into Fumicino airport, we at last start getting some semblance of a plot when some other guy kidnaps this guy and takes his place. But what's going on? Turns out this imposter is heading for a mafia don's mansion, and some kind of shipment of heroin is soon to be delivered.

However, someone is stalking the mansion, giallo style (black gloves, shadows on walls) and starts killing off all the gangsters one by one. Thus, we take a stroll down old 'who's-the-killer?' avenue, and it's not hard to figure this one out as there's only six people at the mansion.. Plus, we've still to find out who the imposter is too.

Luckily, this is one of those daft, cheese filled Italian films where the good guy can hook up with a mafia don's missus, put the moves on the other chick, and be laughing his way into the sunset at the end. There's a couple of head scratching scenes (one takes place on this huge bridge but doesn't lead anywhere) and there's many a shot of owls during the end. The killer also laughs maniacally which is more like the Gothic Horror of the time.

Not bad for a film I'd never heard of until yesterday and not the last to blend the Euro-crime and Giallo together - see also The Devil With Seven Faces and What Have They Done To Your Daughters?

It is titles like "24 Hours of Terror" that provide me with the biggest thrills and the greatest satisfaction! It's not very good, but it's extremely obscure and - moreover - a sort of pioneer when it comes to blending styles and subgenres. Finding a (decent) copy of a rare horror/euro-crime movie most people have never heard about - let alone seen - is a thrill.

First, let's be very honest. "24 Hours of Terror" is already a short film (84 minutes) and then still at least 35-40% is pure and redundant filler material. It starts with exaggeratedly overlong footage of someone driving a car to the airport, then parking his car, and then walking towards the entrance. Ten minutes of running time covered; check. Throughout the movie there's also a lot of random shots of owls, and it ends with a seemingly endless shot of a taxiing and departing airplane. You begin to think the plane might crash or explode, or something, but no.

The whodunit aspect of the plot isn't exactly the greatest mystery in history, neither. There are six potential murderers, and - guess what - the one everyone suspects from the beginning is also the actual culprit. There are hardly any attempts to mislead the viewer, to complicate the plot, or to gradually mount the tension.

But you know what? It doesn't matter! "24 Hours of Terror" is nevertheless entertaining and special. The film was made in 1964 and it mixes elements of a Giallo and Euro-crime in the setting of a Gothic horror! The Giallo was only just invented (with Mario Bava's "The Girl Who Knew Too Much" and "Blood and Black Lace") and it would take another few years before the Euro-Crime genre would properly break through.

Let me start off by saying that "24 Hours of Terror" is not very good. The filmmakers (namely Tony Bighouse, ha!) tried too hard to make the movie fit into three different genres: giallo, crime, and gothic horror, and as a result comes off as a mish-mosh of different plot lines, with a hiding gang being mixed with a series of killings.

This premise might seem all well and good, but the problem is that the movie takes too much time focusing on the uninteresting characters. It is padded to the extreme, with the first seven minutes seemingly consisting of stock footage compiled with no dialogue. There are also random shots of owls during one nighttime scene. Why, Tony Bighouse, why?

The mystery angle is therefore pushed to the side, and is overall very unsatisfactory. Very few stalking and murder sequences are included, preventing the filmmakers from showcasing any potential flair for atmosphere and style. No effort is put into red herrings, either. Anyone would be able to guess the killer's identity once the murders start to occur. The killer's motive is very basic as well.

Overall, "24 Hours of Terror" has an interesting premise and location, but fails to capitalize on it due to the obvious low budget and inexperienced filmmakers, resulting in a heavily padded film that makes you wonder when the screen will fade to black. While it is worth tracking down for the giallo enthusiast, I discourage the rest of us cinema lovers from tracking this obscure film down.

The quality of my Italian copy is horrible,but basically "24 Ore di Terrore" mixes elements of proto-giallo and gangster cinema.The action takes place in a mysterious castle in France.One gangster is transported to it.During a stop in a motel he is attacked by another crook,who takes his identity.The French castle is a hideout for the group of drug pushers.But there is also an unknown killer who begins to murder the members of the gang.Dull and unexciting proto-giallo with lots of ridiculous shots and few stalking/murder sequences.The acting is mediocre and the plot is gloriously naive.If you are a rabid collector of gialli you can't miss it,though.5 out of 10.