Blu-ray Review: The Fifth Cord (1971)

January 13, 2019

Written by DanXIII

Daniel XIII; the result of an arcane ritual involving a King Diamond album, a box of Count Chocula, and a copy of Swank magazine, is a screenwriter, director, producer, actor, artist, and reviewer of fright flicks…Who hates ya baby?

After a New Year’s Eve murder attempt goes tits-up, booze-soaked journalistic fuck-up par excellence Andrea Bild (Franco Nero) is called upon to report on the case. As fate, and the screenplay, would have it, the killer strikes again, this time sealing the deal. Before long the body count rises as does suspicion against our boy Andrea; which makes him rather keen on solving the case!
Much closer to the giallo genre…in fact with it’s black gloved killer and jaw-dropping style it definitely is one, then the previous Luigi Bazzoni flick we examined in this creepy column (The Possessed for those keeping score at home…the review for which can be found right here!), The Fifth Cord is a pretty solid fright flick. Though filmed in color, the film’s limited palette offers the same chiaroscuro visuals that made the aforementioned The Possessed so gorgeous, and Nero turns in yet another world-weary and brilliant performance. Adding to the surreal aesthetics are a pre-occupation with spirals (in the form of staircases) that offer a near hypnotic effect that puts the audience as on edge as our protagonist, and a strong, frenetic score by Ennio Morricone.
Once more Arrow Video brings the bonuses with this Blu-ray, this time in the form of an excellent audio commentary by critic Travis Crawford that provides a wealth of information in an engaging manner, followed by a great video essay courtesy of critic Rachael Nisbet that examines the visual aspects of The Fifth Cord. Also included are an appreciation of the film by author and critic Michael Mackenzie, interviews with Nero, and Editor Eugenio Alabiso, a deleted sequence, trailers for both the Italian and English versions of the film (which are both available on this release), and an image gallery.
If you dig on those groovy, ghoulish giallos then The Fifth Cord is a super stylish, expertly acted must own; especially with the extras present on this release!
 

 

Share This Article

You May Also Like…