Oh, the early 70's. It was a special time and the Italian filmmakers where fighting to squeeze out the next giallo hit. So even Emilio Miraglia and The Night Evelyn Came Out of the Grave. It's the typical form of giallo, often set in a more modern environment - but one of those thrillers who have one foot in the gothic tradition and the other in the trendy, violent and sexy murdery mystery. While I often prefer giallos set in a bigger city and with a more contemporary style, this one isn't bad at all. At least it have a different set-up...
Anthony Steffen is Lord Alan Cunningham, a rich - but mentally troubled fella - who lives alone in a big castle. He's been living there since his wife Evelyn died during childbirth and the castle is in a terrible shape. He just keeps one wing in good condition... because it must looks good if he's gonna lure innocent redhead there, torture and then kill them! One day he finds a perfect woman and they get married... but it won't take long until something starts to happen around the castle. Evelyn shows herself and people closde to Alan is murdered!
You how have seen a lot of similar thrillers from this time might notice how they've taken a very common story and turned it up-side-down. The hero is a fucked-up serial killer, it's he who's haunted by former lovers and around him is a smaller army of suspects. It's a fresh take on an already worn-out idea. Giallos often centers around beautiful women, and even if this one have plenty them it's Anthony Steffen who steals every scene he's in. He truly makes a great performance of a man slowly going mad(der than he was before) - but without losing his sex appeal.
...Evelyn... clearly identify itself as a gothic horror, a lot more than a modern thriller. It's set in modern times, but the storyline and overall atmosphere is in a completely different time. The castle and garden looks wonderful and the trendy fashion and super-cool music makes it a very kitchy production. It's been years since I saw it the last time and before rewatching it I read a couple of reviews here and there and everyone claimed it was more or less non-violent. This is of course not true. It's hardly a graphic movie in the same vein as Argento or Fulci, but especially during the last half hour the blood is flowing and there's even some intestines! Don't expect a splatter-fest and you'll be happy.
The Night Evelyn Came Out of the Grave is a good murder myster with a dark edge of insanity. It have violence and nudity and a couple of wild twists - and that's fine by me. It's a stylish and entertaining piece of Italo-goth with the right amount of originality.
Good stuff, I tell you.
This is one of my all time favorites. I had to purchase this film three times before I found an uncut version.
Posted by: Richard Schmidt | May 16, 2013 at 21:45
"It's the typical form of giallo, often set in a more modern environment - but one of those thrillers who have one foot in the gothic tradition and the other in the trendy, violent and sexy murdery mystery."
Yeah, there is a couple of giallis like that.... Red Queen Kills 7 Times/La dama rossa uccide sette volte(1972).
"You how have seen a lot of similar thrillers from this time might notice how they've taken a very common story and turned it up-side-down. The hero is a fucked-up serial killer, it's he who's haunted by former lovers and around him is a smaller army of suspects. It's a fresh take on an already worn-out idea."
Using a deranged serial killer as a protagonist, seems fresh and might surprise some in the audience who didn´t expect that twist.
"It's been years since I saw it the last time and before rewatching it I read a couple of reviews here and there and everyone claimed it was more or less non-violent. This is of course not true."
Well.....it might be Megatroll again, he has fake facebook accounts, blogs, twitter etc.
"The Night Evelyn Came Out of the Grave is a good murder myster with a dark edge of insanity. It have violence and nudity and a couple of wild twists - and that's fine by me. It's a stylish and entertaining piece of Italo-goth with the right amount of originality.
Good stuff, I tell you."
I believe you.....good review and thanks.
Posted by: Megatron | May 17, 2013 at 00:07
Best rockin' striptease since Mondo Topless (whose first shot is a street sign which inspired a certain cult tv series title).
Posted by: EdFeltch | May 30, 2013 at 02:00