‘Who Saw Her Die?’ Blu-ray Review
Stars: George Lazenby, Anita Strindberg, Nicoletta Elmi, Adolfo Celi, Dominique Boschero, Peter Chatel, Peter Chatel | Written by Francesco Barilli, Massimo D’Avak | Directed by Aldo Lado
Who Saw Her Die? (Chi l’ha vista morire?), directed by Aldo Lado, is a striking entry in the Italian horror genre that flourished during the late 1960s and 1970s. The film combines the typical Giallo elements of mystery, psychological tension, and stylized violence with a moody atmosphere that sets it apart from its contemporaries.
Set against the hauntingly beautiful backdrop of Venice, the film tells the story of sculptor Franco Serpieri (played by George Lazenby), whose daughter, Roberta, is brutally murdered shortly after arriving in the city. As Franco delves into the mystery of her death, he uncovers a series of child murders that eerily mirror the fate of his own daughter. The film is notable for its brooding atmosphere, where Venice’s foggy canals and decaying grandeur contribute to an overwhelming sense of dread and isolation. The city itself becomes a character, with its labyrinthine streets and shadowy corners embodying the film’s pervasive sense of menace.
Who Saw Her Die? is characterized by its blend of murder mystery and psychological horror, featuring many of the genre’s hallmarks: a masked killer, gruesome murders, and a protagonist drawn into a complex web of intrigue. However, Lado’s film is more restrained in its depiction of violence compared to other Giallo films, focusing instead on creating an unsettling, suspenseful atmosphere.
The film also plays with the voyeuristic tendencies inherent in Giallo, frequently using subjective camera angles that align the audience with the killer’s perspective. This technique, combined with Ennio Morricone’s chilling score—one of the film’s standout features—creates a feeling of pervasive unease that lingers long after the credits roll. Morricone’s score, with its eerie children’s choir, underscores the film’s themes of innocence lost and the perverse nature of the crimes depicted.
George Lazenby, probably best known for his role as James Bond in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, delivers a compelling performance as a grieving father who becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth. His portrayal is marked by a palpable sense of anguish and desperation, which is central to the film’s emotional core. Anita Strindberg, playing Franco’s estranged wife, adds depth to the narrative with her portrayal of a mother struggling with her own grief and guilt.
Thematically, Who Saw Her Die? explores the fragility of innocence and the darkness lurking beneath the surface of everyday life. The film is less concerned with the mechanics of the mystery than with the emotional and psychological toll it takes on its characters. This focus on mood and character over plot complexity is a hallmark of Lado’s work and distinguishes Who Saw Her Die? from more conventional Giallo films.
Ultimately Lado’s film stands out from other Giallon as a film that prioritizes atmosphere and psychological depth over shock value. While it may lack the overt stylization and graphic violence of more infamous genre brethren, its haunting portrayal of grief and loss, combined with the atmospheric use of Venice as a setting, makes it a memorable and unique entry in the genre. For fans of Italian horror and Giallo, Who Saw Her Die? offers a compelling and chilling experience that lingers long after the final scene.
Blu-ray Special Features:
- Interview of Director Aldo Lado – ‘Ring a Ring o’Rosie’
- Interview of Producer Enzo Doria – ‘The Quest for Money’
- Interview of writer Francesco Barilli – ‘To Live and Die in Venice’
- Aldo Lado Q&A courtesy of the ‘Abertoir International Horror Film Festival’
- Original English soundtrack with additional English SDH
- Alternative Italian audio track with new English subtitles
Who Saw Her Die? is out now, uncut, from Shameless Films.
