IMDb RATING
6.5/10
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YOUR RATING
A musician is stalked by an unknown homicidal maniac, who blackmails him for the accidental killing of another stalker.A musician is stalked by an unknown homicidal maniac, who blackmails him for the accidental killing of another stalker.A musician is stalked by an unknown homicidal maniac, who blackmails him for the accidental killing of another stalker.
Jean-Pierre Marielle
- Gianni Arrosio
- (as Jean Pierre Marielle)
Laura Troschel
- Maria
- (as Costanza Spada)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaDario Argento's usual collaborator Ennio Morricone scored the film, but had a major argument with Argento over some tracks Argento didn't want in it. As a result, the director and Morricone would not work together again until 1996, and the rock group Goblin would eventually become Argento's regular composers.
- GoofsDuring the scene where Nina is shooting Roberto, her dubbing inexplicably goes in and out of English and Italian repeatedly, though she has never spoken Italian before this scene.
- Quotes
Roberto Tobias: Well, it's a bit risky, and, and I don't...
Gianni Arrosio: Ah, yeah. And you're thinking this fairy will jump on a chair and scream bloody murder if he sees a mouse, right?
Roberto Tobias: Yes, that's what I thought.
Gianni Arrosio: Oh, you heterosexuals! I don't suppose you've ever had a homosexual experience?
Roberto Tobias: Let's just forget it, man.
- Crazy creditsYou have just seen Four Flies on Grey Velvet.
- Alternate versionsThe original U.S theatrical release was cut mainly for pacing as well as shortening the tub love scene and a decapitation for a PG rating.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Dario Argento's World of Horror (1985)
Featured review
I had heard about the giallo genre and had been curious to check out a film or two. I grabbed the very first one that I came across and it turned out to be this film.
The first thing to strike me was the camera work. Of course, by today's standards it seems outdated, but judging a film from the 1970s by today's standards is simply wrong. Argento's direction is captivating and conveys the feeling of being stalked very well. Audience can feel the paranoia of the main protagonist. There were some moments that would stand out even today (especially the ending) As for the plot, it's a murder mystery with some blackmailing thrown in, but finding out who the murderer is is not that complicated. I found the plot rather weak. The characters seemed quite stereotypical (the gay detective is hilariously funny). we also get some psychology explanation (that really doesn't explain much) and probably the stupidest murder motive I have ever seen in a film. I'm sorry, but it was seriously disappointing.
So did I like it? I think yes, I did. But it's definitely not a film for everyone. It's slow and more atmospheric than bloody. Yet it does have a certain charm of its own.
The first thing to strike me was the camera work. Of course, by today's standards it seems outdated, but judging a film from the 1970s by today's standards is simply wrong. Argento's direction is captivating and conveys the feeling of being stalked very well. Audience can feel the paranoia of the main protagonist. There were some moments that would stand out even today (especially the ending) As for the plot, it's a murder mystery with some blackmailing thrown in, but finding out who the murderer is is not that complicated. I found the plot rather weak. The characters seemed quite stereotypical (the gay detective is hilariously funny). we also get some psychology explanation (that really doesn't explain much) and probably the stupidest murder motive I have ever seen in a film. I'm sorry, but it was seriously disappointing.
So did I like it? I think yes, I did. But it's definitely not a film for everyone. It's slow and more atmospheric than bloody. Yet it does have a certain charm of its own.
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- 4 Flies on Grey Velvet
- Filming locations
- Milan, Lombardia, Italy(subway scenes)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 44 minutes
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1
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Top Gap
By what name was Four Flies on Grey Velvet (1971) officially released in India in English?
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