The Angel of Death (1971)
| Movie | |
|---|---|
| German title | The angel of death |
| Original title | La vittima designata |
| Country of production | Italy |
| original language | Italian |
| Publishing year | 1971 |
| length | 105 minutes |
| Age rating | FSK 16 |
| Rod | |
| Director | Maurizio Lucidi |
| script |
Dardano Sacchetti Augusto Caminito Aldo Lado Maurizio Lucidi Antonio Troisio |
| production | Luciano Martino |
| music |
Luis Bacalov New Trolls Tomas Milian |
| camera | Aldo Tonti |
| cut | Alessandro Lucidi |
| occupation | |
| |
The Angel of Death is a 1971 thriller starring Tomás Milián and Pierre Clémenti in the lead roles and directed by Maurizio Lucidi . The script is influenced by Patricia Highsmith's book The Stranger on the Train . The film is characterized by its photography and its symbolic language.
action
Stefano Augenti used to be just a poor graphic artist. But through his marriage, he has risen and become wealthy. The marriage is unfortunate. Stefano would like to sell the company that brought his wife into the marriage and lead a carefree life with the money. His wife doesn't believe in these plans. She is bitter and lets Stefano feel that his financial and social advancement is only thanks to her.
During a secret short vacation in Venice with his lover, Stefano meets Matteo Conte Tiepolo, who from now on seeks his closeness. Tiepolo proposes a diabolical deal to Stefano. He would kill Stefano's wife, but Stefano would have to kill his brother.
Locations
- The advertising agency is located in the Pirelli skyscraper in Milan.
- Stefano lurks with his rifle on the roof of the church of Santa Maria della Salute in Venice.
Symbolism (excerpt)
The film works with many symbols from religion and history:
- Tiepolo and Stefano get to know each other while buying jewelry. Both want to buy a jewelry chain with a pendant. The pendant represents a twelve . In Christian mythology, the twelve is a symbol for a divine encounter. The number twelve appears several times in the process.
- The twelfth apostle is Matthias (apostle) . In Italian this apostle is called Matteo.
- Count Tiepolo holds a mouse in his hand when he meets Stefano. The mouse is a symbol of the devil.
criticism
“That's bad. Has style. And substance. I don't want to claim that THE ANGEL OF DEATH is actually the one Giallo with the most brilliant plot, but he is one of the favorites. The psychological duel Clémenti vs. Milian can certainly count himself among the most demanding in the genre. ... The angel of death wins the comparison with the classic STRANGERS ON A TRAIN . Lucidi gives the fabric a little perfidious touch and style. In the end, the film shines as a psychologically profound and highly atmospheric genre jewel. "
“The 105 minutes run time are tough. There are typical elements for an Italian film of this time, but this is not a Giallo in the classic sense. The film lives from Milian's portrayal and the constant uncertainty. ... So great Italian cinema that has been missing for a long time. ""
"" The Angel of Death "is a very well constructed and psychologically sophisticated thriller. Accompanied by an excellent soundtrack, the viewer gets to see an intense duel between two great actors. "
Web links
- The Angel of Death in the Internet Movie Database (English)