The Night of the Scorpion

This Spanish-Italian co-production tells the story of a man who feels deep guilt for the death of his wife: He, an alcoholic, is convinced that he accidentally caused her lethal fall in their villa while he was drunk. He finds a new wife, but he's incapable of coping with his first wife's death. Moreover, the maid and his sister don't seem to accept the new woman in the household. After some time, suddenly bodies are piling up ... and the tomb of the man's first wife is empty!

The plot may sound interesting, but the whole film proceeds too slow: The first hour of the film (two thirds of the running time) is more relationship drama than Giallo horror. It's also tediously talky, and the only thing delivered in this first hour is some nudity. Then, suddenly, the film becomes a standard Giallo with a razor swinging gloved killer murdering almost everybody the tormented man has contact with. Is there a razor wielding ghost in the house? The solution to all this isn't very convincing either.

Even though the final 30 minutes make up for the first hour, it's still a rather boring film as a whole that doesn't really deliver. Interesting for Giallo and Italian horror completists only.

Gee, there are very favourable reviews on another site but its the guys on this one that have it right. Despite featuring some lovely girls, some fantastic costumes that nail this as 1972 for absolute certain, so little, so very little happens. At least for the first hour, that it. There is some activity towards the end but we are worn out by then keeping up with what did happen, what might happen, what was dreamed to have happened and what someone might have imagined happened.

The fact that this looks so good is the only reason I stayed with this, plus the fact that the performances are so persuasive that you are convinced this is going to leap into life. But by the end, however good looking and even though the blood begins to flow, I'm afraid I was well passed caring who did what to who and why.

Hardcore giallo fans will dig this slow burner more than anyone else. Present are genre staples such as a black-gloved killer, insanely gorgeous women, and a twisty murder mystery at its core; however, it's light on blood, dialogue-heavy, and set mostly in a mansion. Don't let that scare you away, though. The cast is solid, characters are interesting, the mystery engaging, and the mansion adds a menacing gothic atmosphere to it all. One year after the death of his first wife, Oliver Bartrom returns to his family property to start a life with his new wife Ruth. Problem is, they aren't alone. Along with the maid and shady groundskeeper, Oliver's hostile sister and horny jealous stepmother live there too, and both are embittered over the sketchy circumstances of the first wife's death. Needless to say, Ruth isn't exactly feeling the Bartrom family love; the stepmother is obsessed with Oliver, forever trying to seduce him - and his reclusive sister hates everyone for reasons I won't spoil for you. Almost immediately, bizarre things start happening to Ruth, and a menace in black gloves stalks the grounds trying to take everyone out. In fear for her life and love, Ruth tries to uncover the sinister truth behind what really happened to Oliver's first wife.

In early 2017, American eurocult label Dorado Films released Night of the Scorpion on blu-ray via 2K scan of a 35mm print. Due to their small operation and relative obscurity of their titles, Dorado doesn't drop dollars on digital cleaning or color correction, presenting films "as is" with specs, scratches and glorious grain. I kinda like this decision as it adds a gritty filmic charm to the viewing experience. Collectors and connoisseurs of giallo cinema should track down this one down.

I found this gallio to be very mediocre, although I also saw a dubbed washed out copy which isn't ideal, the real problem lies in the telling of the story itself which in my opinion is so obvious it makes the movie more like a bad soap opera with great sets.

There are also silly elements like flashing the suspects photos on the screen more than once, suggesting this was some sort of Beta Max home movie version of the board game Clue (and yes such a thing exists except on VHS in the 1980s). I honestly couldn't shake the feeling of watching a poor attempt at Cluedo.

This is not the worst giallo I've ever seen but it's forgettable.

A black-gloved,razor-wielding killer slashes the throats of people in an eerie mansion.It all has to do with the tragic death of a woman.She was the wife of the main male character.Oliver is convinced that he accidentally caused her lethal fall in their villa while he was drunk.He finds a new wife,but he's incapable of coping with his first wife's death.Moreover the maid and his sister don't seem to accept the new woman in the household.After some time suddenly bodies are piling up slashed by black-gloved killer...Pretty good Spanish/Italian giallo made by Alfonso Balcazar with lovely Teresa Gimpera.The first hour of the movie is relentlessly talky and suitably dull.The gory murders begin during the last thirty minutes.6 out of 10.