Doppelgänger and Scorpion Releasing continue their release of Giallo classics
Fans of Italian Giallo cinema have been treated very well recently by Doppelgänger and Scorpion Releasing, thanks to their efforts to delve into Italian horror for US releases, some hitting these shores on Blu-ray for the very first time. Previously we’ve covered Opera, The Sect, and The Church; their latest doesn’t carry the names of either Argento or Bava, but is instead a lesser known feature directed by Alberto Negrin. It’s a film that has the Giallo hallmarks of psychological twists, visceral sights and sounds, and unnerving violence, but imbued with a heightened sense of sleaze. Getting its first ever US Blu-ray release, this is Enigma Rosso.
Synopsis:
ENIGMA ROSSO begins when the brutally violated body of a young woman is dragged from the river. The investigating law officer, Inspector Gianni Di Salvo (Testi), is drawn to dark deeds at an exclusive girls’ school where the beautiful members of a group known as “The Inseparables” are being targeted with sinister letters and murder attempts. Following a clue in the dead girl’s diary, Di Salvo meets an unlikely ally in the form of the victim’s young sister, and as the pair begins to put the pieces together, he realizes that the school’s web of sex and homicide is more tangled then he ever could have imagined.
With an opening that has shades of Twin Peaks, Enigma Rosso (aka the Red Rings of Death) doesn’t embrace the surreal genius of Lynch’s work, instead plunging into the sordity of Italian horror. The assault and murder of a young girl takes the film in the direction of a murder mystery, and detective elements add to the intrigue and plot twists that build as the film progresses. It’s slasher fare elevated by a cat and mouse game between the killer and one Inspector Di Salvo (Fabio Testi), centered around the activities at a private school and a group of young girls known as “the Inseparables.”
As a Giallo, the film delivers what you’d expect, and indeed hope for: a slow burn, weaving together a chilling atmosphere, stylized visuals, shady characters, unnerving set pieces (interrogation on a rollercoaster!), memorable kills (marbles!), and a thumping score. It also makes good use of the investigation to layer in a number of surprising plot twists, yes more than you’d normally see in a Giallo venture even. Perhaps the film’s biggest strength is Testi himself, whose sleazy cop has a rather disruptive approach to his investigation. His presence is undeniable and does much to add to the film’s applaudable ambiance.
The Package
As with their past releases/restorations, Doppleganger and Scorpion have put together a very nice treatment of this Giallo fare. The transfer showcases a solid restoration, with good detail and colors that pop with a natural vibrancy. Some minor blemishes and scratches are apparent, but overall it’s well done.
Special features are limited to an audio commentary with Historian Nathaniel Thompson, who nicely delves into aspects of the films production, as well as it’s wider place within the giallo genre. His opinions while not necessarily wrong, are somewhat interesting to hear in terms of placing the film within the giallo pecking order.
The Bottom Line
Enigma Rosso captures the mood Italian horror, while weaving in a more twisty that expected narrative. It’s provocative, with a rough, sleazy quality that is more pronounced than other films of its ilk. It marks it as a film that isn’t the best example of the Giallo genre, but certainly one of the more interesting entries, one done justice by the fine folks at Doppelgänger and Scorpion Releasing with this release.
