Enigma Rosso

Enigma Rosso

Sales Title: Red Rings Of Fear

US Video Title: Trauma

1974

Italy-Germany-Spain

D: Alberto Negrin

P: Leonardo Pescarolo for Damio Cinematografica (Rome), CCC Filmkunst (Berlin & CIPI Cinematografica (Madrid) (P Manager: Antonio Mazza)//St & Sc: Marcello Coccia, Massimo Dallamano, Franco Perrini, Stefano Ubezio, Alberto Negrin & Peter Berling//DP: Edoardo Noe//E: Paolo Boccio//M: Riz Ortolani//Color

Cast: Fabio Testi, Christine Kaufmann, Ivan Desny, Jack Taylor, Fausta Avelli, Bruno Alessandro.

A 17 year old female student is found dead with the lower half of her anatomy torn open by a sharp, phallic weapon (ie a dildo). Inspector Di Salvo (Fabio Testi) is given the case to solve but is told to not make waves as the girl was from a rich, influential family. His investigation reveals that the girl, along with her three classmates were involved in a sex party ring. Rich businessmen would pay highly for the services. Two separate murder attempts are taking place. The remaining girls are being threatened and the sleaze-bags behind procuring the girls are also being knocked off. Testi solves both plot lines as one murderer commits suicide while the other is  stopped before successfully snuffing anyone.

Note who had a hand in the screenplay. Massimo Dallamano had already directed two thrillers set at a girl's boarding school, WHAT HAVE THEY DONE TO SO LANGE? and WHAT HAVE THEY DONE TO OUR DAUGHTERS?, so why did Negrini (who would go on to make big budget TV fare like IL DULCE with Bob Hoskins) direct? Well unfortunately Dallamano died right after filming STUNT SQUAD and so though he was slated to direct this,  didn’t live long enough to do so. Jack Taylor has a nice role as the ferret-like owner of a clothing store who helps reel in the girls. He meets a fitting end. The murder sequences are graphic and the shower scenes numerous, but by now the concept was showing signs of wear and tear. At least Ortolani scored enthusiastically (especially the main theme). Helga Liné appears in an unbilled cameo as the mother of the first victim.