Trauma (AKA Enigma rosso / Virgin Terror - 1978)

Continuing with my Drive-In Classics: 50 Movie Pack, I decided to move into giallo mode. My first giallo for the afternoon yesterday was Trauma (AKA Virgin Terror) and originally known as Enigma rosso from 1978.

Plot/ A detective investigating the murder of a teenage girl begins to focus his suspicions on the three girlfriends of the victim, who call themselves "The Inseparables."

This was an interesting little giallo. Yes, there was a definite lack of overall gore and the transfer was choppy, but there truly was a lot to like. The atmosphere was very creepy and heavy, the suspect list was long, varied and really held up throughout the film (not to mention kept you guessing), the soundtrack fit and the acting was solid (not to mention some nice nude scenes). As with some giallo’s, the pacing seemed a bit off at times and the story did move is some strange ways, but in the end it led to a great twist that made the ending work. Sure, this is not the perfect flick, but it was definitely worth watching.

Trauma (1993)

  

With Brenda and the girls travelling for the weekend, I had time to sit down and enjoy some of the flicks I have not been able to watch lately. The first one was Horror Master Dario Argento’s 1993 entry Trauma.

Plot/ A young man tries to help a teenage European girl whom escaped from a clinic hospital after witnessing the murder of her parents by a serial killer and they try to find the killer before the killer finds them.

This is definitely one of Argento's less appealing flicks. However, it is one of the better horror films of the 1990s. Yes, it is far from perfect, with a possibly too Americanized feel and some poor acting. However, it does still come across as a stylish and atmospheric giallo complete with interesting camera work and some chic but gory bloodshed created by FX master Tom Savini. In the end, this may not be one of Argento’s best, but it is still above average when you look at the 90s as a whole and worth watching at least once.