4. What Have You Done To Solange? (1972)
Directed by Massimo Dallamano, What Have You Done to Solange? has gained a major following from Gialli fans as one of the best examples of the genre. And they are completely correct in their critical evaluation of the film. With its eerie atmosphere, sinister goings on, and haunting soundtrack by Ennio Morricone, the film really does deliver the Giallo goods with style and panache. The film is set out very well and the detail is intricate. The denouement is incredible and I'm surprised that a film involving Joe D'Amato - 'Sultan of Sleaze' - as a cinematographer could turn out so decent. The film really does look great. The plot is quite simple. A married Italian teacher - Enrico - enjoys the sexual favours of his young students - until they start turning up dead and he finds himself a major suspect. It is a pretty tight hole he has to dig himself out of. You are really better going for a foreign or Region 1 release for What Have You Done to Solange? It was denied a certificate for many years until Redemption put it before the censors in 1996. They chopped off 2 minutes 15 seconds of the film which featured a nude bath scene and scenes of sexualised violence. The further 2002 release was mangled with many key shots missing.