A giallo murder mystery released well after the craze of the early 1970s, The Bloodstained Shadow (1978), co-written and directed by Antonio Bido (Watch Me When I Kill), has more suspects than you may even be able to keep track of.
Utilizing its sizeable cast to keep its twisty turns in the shadows, we flash forward some twenty years after a brutal unsolved strangling on the small island of Murano – which rests on the edge of Venice, as professor Stefano D’Archangelo (Lino Capolicchio) returns home for a calming visit after years away in the big city. . . it just so happens that a fetching artist, Sandra Sellani (Stefania Casini – Suspiria), is also returning home on the same train after being away for some time.
With Stefano staying with his brother Don Paolo (Craig Hill) – the longtime priest of the island, he is unhappy with the modern ways that are invading the isle, with these four people specifically causing him much irk: Count Pedrazzi (Massimo Serato) – a wealthy supposed groomer riling up his parishioners, Dr. Aloisi (Sergio Mioni) – the atheistic new medical professional with a serious gambling addiction, Signora Nardi (Juliette Mayniel) – a rumored illegal abortionist with an even bigger secret, and a Medium (Alina De Simone) – who is supposedly a fraud. . . plus somehow, they all seem to be connected by a seance they attended together.
Shortly thereafter, all peaceful semblance of the community disappears, as the priest witnesses a murder very much like the one that happened all those years ago, though, as it is seen from his window at night during a rainstorm, he can’t make out either of the two visages. Rather oddly, both Stefano and Gasparre (Attilio Duse), the live in sacristan at the church, are already outside in the horrid weather when Don Paolo goes looking for aid.
Soon after, distinctly typed letters start popping up throughout the church, threatening Don Paolo to keep his mouth shut or a secret from his past with be exposed. . . though, at the same time, another rumor starts swirling revolving around Signora Nardi and her mysterious past. It even looks like Sandra’s stepmother (Laura Nucci), is hiding something within her history as well. . . as people seem to be desperate to steal a rather demonic painting from her as well as all of its records.
As bodies begin to pile up and Stefano and Sandra start a relationship, they too begin to connect the dots in this mysterious case. Can anyone be trusted? Are the seance and painting simply red herrings, or something more? What might those ominous letters be hinting at? Could there be more than one answer when considering all the secrets that seem to be hidden on this quiet island?
Wonderfully disguised by Bido and his team, despite coming across as a tad too slow (the pacing always feels slightly off), the storyline holds up very well, with twists at every historic turn. With equally as suspicious protagonists – as even the brothers have had mental breakdowns in the past, each character and plot point leaves the audience guessing. . . as there is plenty afoot in this mystery thriller. With some wild deaths along the way, keep your eye out for a memorable nighttime canal boat scene, a fire, and a frightful fall.
Majestically showing off Venice and its surrounding areas in its late 70s winter glory (frequently shrouded in thick fog and drizzly rain), The Bloodstained Shadow is a solidly sinister late era giallo that revels in its own twisty nature. Filled with dark characters with elusive pasts, as well as several unusual red herrings, there’s no doubt that almost anyone could be a suspect for one suspicious reason or another. So, don’t abort this shadowy mystery thriller, instead try to discover for whom the bell tolls.
This film is in Italian with English subtitles