WHAT HAVE THEY DONE TO SOLANGE? (1972)
Director: Massimo Dallamano
Shriek Show/Media Blasters

Among the hundreds of Italian gialli that were churned out from 1970 through the mid-1980s, there were two films that have developed cult followings over the years, despite not receiving large-scale theatrical releases outside of their home country: WHAT HAVE THEY DONE TO SOLANGE? and WHAT HAVE THEY DONE TO YOUR DAUGHTERS? Both were directed by Massimo Dallamano, a man who has yet to receive the recognition of Argento or Bava, but whose contribution to the genre is just as important. Basing these two films on Edgar Wallace novels, but steering toward a giallo interpretation rather than the trappings of a krimi, Dallamano's two films stand head and shoulders above similar films of the time. And it's fitting that SOLANGE should receive a U.S. home video premiere exactly 30 years after its creation.

Fabio Testi (FOUR OF THE APOCALYPSE) is Henry Rossini, a teacher at a private school for girls, unhappily married to his German wife Herta (Karin Baal of the 1961 DARK EYES OF LONDON), who teaches German at the same school. He escapes his aimless existence by having an affair with the lovely schoolgirl Elizabeth (cult fave Cristina Galbo of LET SLEEPING CORPSES LIE). During one of their secret rendezvous, Elizabeth witnesses a murder in the park and is plagued by nightmares of the event as a number of her peers are murdered by the same figure. Who is killing these girls? Why such a gruesome method? And is a young girl named Solange the key piece to the puzzle?

Briefly released in the United States by AIP as TERROR IN THE WOODS (!!), SOLANGE is a simply superb film. Featuring gorgeous scope photography by future sleaze director Aristide Massaccesi (aka Joe D'Amato), an amazing score by Ennio Morricone, strong performances from leads Testi, Galbo and Baal, and the striking presence of Camille (I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE) Keaton in the title role, this film challenges many a gialli fan by defying the standard genre conventions. The nudity factor is high, but is never shown for titillating purposes. The murders do not occur every ten minutes, and are usually so nasty that the viewer is glad they don't appear more often. The film is more interested in solving a mystery, as well as patching up the relationships of its characters. SOLANGE spends much time investigating the murders, but also follows Henry and Elizabeth's affair with as much interest. Some viewers will be caught off by this "irregularity," but in the end, the film works and is a masterpiece of the genre.

After Anchor Bay originally announced this title one year ago and it then dropped out of sight for some time, Shriek Show acquired the rights to the film and have now released it to U.S. home video. Following an EC Entertainment disc (which was incorrectly letterboxed at 2:1), this marks a rare home video appearance of the film in its original 2.35:1 aspect ratio with Anamorphic enhancement. Cinematographer Massaccesi frames every scene perfectly, so any information lost is vital. This is also Shriek Show's best transfer to date, with some grain and artifacting present, but for the most part, gorgeous colors that are better defined than several recent Anchor Bay discs. Two sound drop-outs at reel changes and a rip in the film at a reel change near the finale are the only two major errors noted. Audio is nowhere near as full as it should be, but is adequate enough.

While previous Shriek Show discs have been jam-packed with extras, SOLANGE is kind of a let-down in this category. Those expecting interviews with the talent will be sorely disappointed, but this is the fault of the interviewees themselves, who for various reasons declined to appear on the disc. The disc comes with a reproduction of the original Italian press kit, which is nice to have, some bios on the main participants, and a nice write-up on the film by Robert Marcucci. The art gallery is where the disc excels, with entire lobby card sets from Italy, Germany, and France and plenty of posters as well, all accompanied by the haunting theme by Ennio Morricone. Of note is the original trailer, which features alternate takes of several scenes. But do not, I repeat, do NOT watch this before the movie, it's filled with spoilers and features a murder that isn't in the final film. In addition are spoiler-filled previews for HOUSE OF CLOCKS, SWEET HOUSE OF HORRORS, HOUSE ON THE EDGE OF THE PARK (misspelled in the trailer), and SPASMO, all of which are forthcoming from Shriek Show.

Shriek Show has delivered one of their best discs of the year, and despite the absence of mouth-watering extras that the company has been known for, it's still an essential purchase for any fan of Euro horror or the giallo genre in general. (Casey Scott)

 

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