Directed by Duccio Tessari
Produced by Luciano Martino
Written by Ernesto Gastaldi
Director of Photography Giulio Albonico
Music by Gianni Ferrio
Cast: Luc Merenda, Senta Berger, Anita Strindberg, Umberto Orsini, Bruno Corazzari, Rosario Borelli

1974/87 minutes/Color/Dolby Digital 2.0
1.85:1 anamorphic/English,Italian/Italy/PAL Region 2

Review from the Another World Entertainment DVD

It's been a while kiddies, but the black gloves are back on and the razor is cold, sharp, and ready for the sweet slice of soft female flesh again! This time, your most humble killer will be examining the recently released giallo PUZZLE, one that has been LONG overdue on DVD. Enough talk, let the killing begin...

Peter was in a terrible car accident 8 months ago that left him with a bad case of amnesia. While undergoing treatment in London, he is introduced to a man that he is supposed to know. Soon after, the man attacks him, but is quickly killed by an unknown assassin's bullet. Peter then receives a letter from Sara, a woman who claims to be his wife, asking him to return to Italy to be with her. When he returns, he finds out that his real name is Edward (aka. Ted) and that there are people after him for a large drug ransom. Now they have involved his wife and threatened to kill them both unless he can remember where the ransom is...

Director Duccio Tessari brings us a very nice little giallo here, based on another winning script from Ernest Gastaldi. The gorgeous Portofino locales are expertly filmed by Giulio Albonico, making for some very pleasing sites. The film moves along rather slowly at first, but it works in that it slowly allows pieces of Edward's past to come to light. As Edward slowly pieces his past together, it makes his future come along that much more quickly. The plot is not as convoluted or twisted as many gialli, but it should still please. Also, once things get rolling, they REALLY get moving so you'll be glad you stuck with it. While PUZZLE is not as splashy as some gialli, there is enough violence pepperred throughout to please those fans looking for it. Throat slashings, fist fights, razor play, and assassinations are sure to keep you watching. The climax even recalls certain other early 70s films that involved chainsaws, a big plus!

Luc Merenda and Senta Berger make for a solid pairing and seem to have a very natural rapport with one another, even though their characters have a tension between them. We get to see a few quick snippets of Berger in her glory, but nothing lingering or gratuitous. Then again, that sort of thing would not have helped the story or really fit in the context of the film. Euro-fave Anita Strindberg also turns up in a rather small but important role. Unfortunately, she remains fully clothed, but nonetheless it is nice to see her. Genre regulars Umberto Orsini and Bruno Corazzari are also a nice bonus to the already strong cast. Everyone involved play their parts well and make the film that much easier to watch.

PUZZLE chainsaws it's way onto DVD courtesy of new label Another World Entertainment. The film is divided into 9 chapters all of which are easily accessible from the chapter menu. The anamorphic 1.85:1 transfer is simply fantastic! Colors are strong and and bold and blacks are as they should be, black. Compression and artifacting are thankfully nonexistent here. The picture is very sharp and there is nothing to complain about in the way of print damage. Audio is presented in English and/or Italian Dolby Digital 2.0. It is clear and easy to understand the characters and the score is well balanced. Subs are available in Norwegian, Danish, Swedish, and Finnish, they are not mandatory. Extras include a trailer for the film, a director filmography, a slideshow, and trailers for other Another World Entertainment releases.

It should go without saying that this DVD of PUZZLE is a must for giallo fans. The stellar cast of Euro faves coupled with a superb transfer (in it's OAR and uncut!) and solid audio is sure to please anyone looking for another victim to add to their giallo collection. Go get it!

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Review by The Black Gloved Killer. All Right Reserved. 2006. ©

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