The Bird with the Crystal Plumage is a 1970 Italian giallo film directed by Dario Argento in his directorial debut. Considered a landmark in the giallo genre, the film has received acclaim for its stylish visuals and soundtrack by Ennio Morricone, as well as its influence on later films. The plot follows Sam Dalmas, an American writer living in Rome who attempts to solve a series of murders targeting young couples. While not as graphically violent as Argento’s later films, The Bird with the Crystal Plumage has several frightening and suspenseful sequences that make it an effectively scary watch for fans of horror and thriller films.
What is a Giallo Film?
Giallo films are a style of Italian thriller or horror film that were especially popular in the 1960s and 1970s. The term “giallo” means “yellow” in Italian, referring to the yellow covers of Italian pulp crime novels that inspired many giallo screenplays. Key characteristics of the genre include:
- Stylized visuals and cinematography
- Elaborate murder sequences
- Black gloved killers whose identities remain mysterious
- Jazz-inflected musical scores
- Stories involving detectives, mystery writers, tourists, or witnesses trying to solve a series of killings
Along with Argento, major directors associated with giallo films include Mario Bava, Lucio Fulci, and Sergio Martino. The genre declined in popularity by the mid 1970s but continues to influence horror films to this day.
Plot Summary
The Bird with the Crystal Plumage tells the story of Sam Dalmas (Tony Musante), an American writer living in Rome with his model girlfriend Giulia (Suzy Kendall). While walking home one night, Sam witnesses the brutal attack of a woman named Monica Ranieri (Eva Renzi) by a mysterious black-gloved assailant in an art gallery. Though he tries to intervene, Sam becomes trapped between glass doors and can only watch helplessly as the attacker escapes. The police investigate the incident, led by Inspector Morosini (Enrico Maria Salerno), but they insist that Sam not get further involved as he is an unreliable witness.
However, Sam becomes obsessed with trying to solve the case, convinced that he holds some important clue in what he witnessed that night. His amateur investigation leads him to discover that Monica’s attack was part of a series of unsolved murders targeting couples across Rome. As Sam delves deeper into the mystery, he and Giulia are soon targeted by the black-gloved killer, leading to a tense chase and climax inside a darkened building.
Signature Argento Visuals
A critical part of what makes The Bird with the Crystal Plumage such an effectively frightening giallo is Argento’s stylish and creative visual direction. For a directorial debut, the filming is remarkably assured and ambitious. Argento employs creative camera movements and angles to build suspense and unease for the viewer. Some examples include:
- The opening scenes introducing Sam make striking use of close-ups on his eyes and hands to establish his writer’s perspective.
- Tracking shots following the black-gloved killer help build a sense of pursuit and menace.
- Panning shot slowly revealing a murder victim’s body hidden behind a partition.
- Close-ups of Sam’s eye at keyhole voyeuristically witnessing Monica’s attack.
- High contrast lighting and minimalist set design create striking visual compositions.
The expert craftsmanship on display would become hallmarks of Argento’s subsequent work. He demonstrates a mastery at using the camera, lighting, production design, and editing to create chilling atmospheres, disorienting spaces, and compelling set pieces.
Standout Murder Sequences
While not as gory as Argento’s later giallo Deep Red or supernatural classic Suspiria, The Bird with the Crystal Plumage delivers some memorably suspenseful and frightening murder sequences. Two in particular stand out:
The Art Gallery Attack
This bravura 8-minute opening scene masterfully builds tension as Monica becomes stalked and eventually stabbed by the black-gloved killer while Sam is trapped watching it all helplessly unfold. The disturbing noises on the soundtrack, the flickering lights, and the voyeuristic perspective make it a tour-de-force of terror.
Elevator Murder
In this visually inventive scene, Sam sees his artist friend notice a beautiful woman get into an elevator. As captivated as his friend, Sam watches the lit numbers showing the elevator’s ascent. Sudden darkness and silence indicate the killer is inside, brutally murdering her. The prey’s point of view shifts to the killer’s in one masterful sequence.
Chases and Climaxes
While much of the film involves Sam interviewing witnesses, researching clues, and theorizing about the case, the last act delivers some energetically filmed chase sequences and suspense set pieces.
Giulia’s abduction from her photography studio and the following car/truck pursuit displays Argento’s skill at kinetic action editing. The truck veering straight into the camera remains a jolting moment.
The final confrontation with the killer inside the dark, spike-filled house contains many nerve-racking close calls and fake-out scares before reaching the bloody climax. Argento uses the labyrinthine space for claustrophobic tension.
Pulsating Score by Ennio Morricone
Legendary film composer Ennio Morricone provides one of his most unnerving giallo scores that complements Argento’s images perfectly. The main theme features an eerie childlike vocal melody that haunts many scenes. Jazzy compositions full of weird scales, funky rhythms, and discordant notes amp up the tension and disorientation. Even gentler pastoral pieces contain strange instrumentation choices and mixes that make them subtly creepy. It’s a masterclass in using imaginative music to heighten horror.
Conclusion
With its murder mystery plot, terrifying kill sequences, masterful visual storytelling, and hypnotic score, The Bird with the Crystal Plumage showcases Dario Argento’s directorial talent and delivers an extremely scary viewing experience. Its influence can be felt in many subsequent stalker/slasher films and giallo thrillers. For any fan of chilling horror cinema, The Bird with the Crystal Plumage is a seminal work absolutely worth watching…with the lights on.
