Sergio Martino, an undeservedly ignored director who brought us fun genre films ISLAND OF THE FISHMEN (1979), MOUNTAIN OF THE CANNIBAL GOD (1978), and ALL THE COLORS OF THE DARK (1972), really put together a first rate cast for this, his first venture into the thriller genre. So much so that he would work with them many times again. While Martino never got the long-term credit in cinema history alongside Dario Argento, Lucio Fulci and Mario Bava, he did manage to make many successful exploitative films that helped kick start several genres. His contribution is definitely there and even imitated. For gialli fans, this film has been seen truncated and under many different titles. Now comes No Shame Films’ release on DVD, uncut and remastered for the first time.
Edwige Fenech stars as Julie Wardh, a confused, lonely and beautiful woman married to cold politician Neil Wardh (Alberto de Mendoza). Neil seems to mean well, but is never around and when he is, he just isn’t emotionally supportive. In fact, Fenech doesn’t really love the man or even find him exciting. He was a means to an end in order to escape her stalking boyfriend Jean, played to his usual hilt of menace by Ivan Rassimov. In fact, it’s her past that brings about the paradoxical title. Fenech’s character almost seems naïve in nature, especially when compared to her best friend Carol (Conchita Airoldi), who doesn’t have a care in world. To Carol, sleeping with anyone is just another adventure. But, under the past influence of Jean’s dominating control, Julie’s repulsion and sexual fascination with blood kept her in a dangerous relationship until she managed to break from his clutches. Unfortunately, Jean is back in town and up to his stalking practices. In a confused state, Julie soon turns to newcomer playboy George (George Hilton) for love and attention to make up for her husband’s lack of affection and protection.
Outside of the Fenech’s triangle of lovers, past and present, there’s a killer loose, stalking and slicing up women. When one of the women at a party Julie and friends are attending becomes the latest victim, Julie turns to the police and tries to convince them that Jean should be a suspect. Red herring? Maybe, but you never know with a screenplay by Ernesto Gastaldi! Soon, Julie is being stalked, even blackmailed, after the supposed killer witnesses her during the flames of adulterous passion with George. Of course, Rassimov’s character seems to have all the motives and opportunity, but nothing is as it seems on the surface. Soon, Julie is running off to Spain with George, Jean is found murdered, and the supposed killer is slain by a would be victim, but the plot twists are just starting. To divulge more would be a sin, so I’ll just stop there. Julie Wardh’s peril is just beginning.
Those who already know me personally can attest to my fascination (or should I say obsession) with actress Edwige Fenech. For those who may think of this as a biased review, I can say that Fenech is absolutely stunning here, which in all cases, I admit, makes it biased to a certain extent. Despite that fact, this is an excellent gialli title for any fan of the genre. Each actor portraying their characters never let up in their hidden agendas, despite the outrageous and satisfying conclusion. The twists in Gastaldi’s screenplay never come out of left field or play into the usual Freudian trappings (despite the Freud quote that opens the films opening murder). We don’t get an abrupt ending with some killer loosely placed into the storyline with the usual, “mother dressed me up in girl’s clothing,” or vengeance due to some psychological terror from the killer’s past, etc. that plagued some of the later gialli titles of the 80s, which quickly depleted the genre into a rightful obscurity. While critically panned upon its initial release, THE STRANGE VICE OF MRS. WARDH has stood the test of time with its box office success. This proves that most critics paying attention during the early 70s weren’t ready (most said that the film was too sexual and violent) for the next 3 decades of cinema. Thematically it’s perverse, has moments of brutality during certain key murder scenes and an abundant amount of nudity, but nothing of what was to come in the genre.
No Shame’s DVD comes digitally remastered from an original negative and is restored at its original 2.35:1 aspect ratio and 16X9 enhanced. Both the Italian track with optional English subtitles and the English dubbed track come in Dolby Digital Mono and really enhance Nora Orlandi’s excellent score. Extras include a featurette called Dark Fears Behind The Door, which features interviews with Sergio Martino, producer Luciano Martino, Ernesto Gastaldi, George Hilton, and the still very stunning Edwige Fenech. Rounding out the extras are a poster and still gallery, an eight-page booklet including liner notes and talent bios, and the original Italian theatrical trailer. Basically, to sum it up, giallo fans take note: This is the release to get. While imitated for years after its release, THE STRANGE VICE OF MRS. WARDH was never surpassed and probably stands as one of Sergio Martino’s best thrillers. Therefore, I wholeheartedly recommend it for all gialli and Eurocinema fans.