The Case of the Scorpion's Tail

La Coda Dello Scorpione

Italy-Spain

D: Sergio Martino

P: Luciano Martino for Devon Film (Rome) & Copercines (Spain) (P Manager: Lamberto Palmieri//St & Sc: Eduardo M. Brochero, Ernesto Gastaldi & Sauro Scavolini//DP: Emilio Foriscot (Asst : Gianni Maddaleni)//E: Eugenio Alabiso (Asst: Giancarlo Venarucci)//M: Bruno Nicolai//Art D: Cubero & Galicia//Costumes: Luciana Marinucci//Makeup: Mario Van Riel//Color

Cast: George Hilton, Anita Strindberg, Alberto De Mendoza, Janine Reynaud, Luis Barboo, Tom Felleghy, Annalisa Nardi, Thomas Picot, Evelyn Stewart (Ida Galli), Luigi Pistilli.

Lisa Baumer is in bed with her lover when the phone rings, informing her that her husband was killed in an airplane crash. Lisa learns that she was the beneficiary of a million dollar life insurance policy, but must go to Athens to collect it. The Insurance company hires Peter Lynch to follow her and try and discover if Baumer was involved in any foul play. Before too long, the murder of Lisa's boyfriend, husband's mistress and Lisa herself causes Interpol to bring in agent John Stanley. Both he and Lynch begin the search for Lisa's killer and the now missing insurance money. Cleo Dupont is a crime reporter who has been following the case and strikes up an affair with Lynch. More murders occur before a trap is laid for the killer, revealing his identity and motive.

If this thriller gets any criticism from fans, it's usually in the direction of the film's script. The fact that the murderer is not an insane, sexual deviant, but just a greedy SOB, is definitely a bit disappointing when compared to the motives of other killers who appear in these films. Because of the stylish direction by Sergio Martino, excellent score by Bruno Nicolai, and breathtaking exteriors shot in Athens, I'm willing to overlook the killer's lack of flamboyance (though he does dress up in a neat, jet black body suit at one point that makes him look like a supervillain out of a comic book). The film's cast can be considered a who's who with interesting performances by Luigi Pistilli and especially the duo of Janine Reynaud and Luis Barboo. Those two appeared in many Jesus Franco films and their graphic demises in this film are indeed grisly highlights. Martino keeps the pace at a breakneck speed and my only question is why did he frame an interrogation sequence involving George Hilton on its side? It's disconcerting to say the least!