1. The Bodies Bear Traces of Carnal Violence (Torso) (1973)
Cult Giallo from the ever dependable Sergio Martino, Torso is often lauded as a precursor to the modern slasher films. It has built up quite a cult following from Giallo fans in particular and if I do say so myself, it is very worthwhile to watch the movie. Two college students (and a boyfriend) have been murdered. A red and black scarf is the murder weapon. One of the students recognises the killer's scarf and becomes prey for the murderer. She goes to stay in villa to escape his attentions - however, the murderer follows her there. The killer is the art teacher whose childhood was ruined by a terrible incident in which his best friend fell of a cliff and died because of the actions of a little girl. This turned the art teacher into a murderer because he thinks all women are lying tarts who lure men to their deaths. Of course he is killed in the end by his next target's boyfriend. Torso is packed to the gills with wanton sleaze and depravity. It is definitely one of the stronger Gialli out there with lots of vicious violence - eyeball poking, strangulation, slashings and dismemberment being the flavour of the day. There is enough seedy sex of all kinds along with some very beautiful women - including threesomes and lesbianism - to satisfy your inner pervert. I absolutely love the score by the DeAngelis brothers - probably after Dario Argento's Profondo Rosso, it is the best score in a Giallo. Sergio Martino makes the most out of a barebones plot and the film is very stylish - the scene in which Jane has to hide from the killer who is dismembering her friends is one of the tightest scenes that I have watched in a Giallo. Sheer class all the way.