DVD released: June 25th, 2002
Approximate running time: 94 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
Rating: NR
Sound: Dolby Digital Mono English
Subtitles: N/A
DVD Release: Anchor Bay
Region Coding: Region 1 NTSC
Retail Price: Only Available in the giallo collection $59.98

Synopsis: The Case of The Bloody Iris opens up with a beautiful blonde in phone telling a friend she is on her way up. Only before she can get to her friends apartment she is viciously murdered by a killer dressed in black with gold gloves. Jennifer (Edwige Fenech), looking for an apartment to move into and when Andrea Barto (George Hilton), who she meet through a photo session informs the building he owns he a recently vacated apartment (Due to the tenant being murdered), she quickly accepts his offer and moves in. Jennifer has a nervous breakdown at a photo shoot when she thinks that she sees her estranged ex-husband watching her in the shadows. After she leaves the shoot he is waiting outside for her and through a flashback we get a peek into their swinger past. Jennifer and Andrea team up to solve the mystery as woman after woman turns up dead. Should Jennifer trust Andrea, is her ex-husband behind these diabolical murders and if someone else is committing these acts will Jennifer solve the puzzle before she becomes the next victim?

Giuliano Carnimeo is best known for directing Spaghetti Westerns Have a Good Funeral, My Friend… Sartana Will Pay, Find a Place to Die and I Am Sartana, Trade Your Guns for a Coffin aka Fistful of Lead. In 1971 Giuliano Carnimeo would direct his only entry in the Giallo genre The Case of the Bloody Iris and it would star Edwige Fenech who would also work with Giuliano Carnimeo in such films as Secrets of a Call Girl, Holy God, It’s the Passatore and Poker in Bed. George Hilton the male lead in The Case of the bloody Iris in the 1970′s would be frequently cast by Giuliano Carnimeo they would collaborate on a total of eight films. The Case of the Bloody Iris aka What Are Those Strange Drops of Blood Doing On Jennifer’s Body? Is one of the longest and bizarre titles ever for a Giallo. This is Giuliano Carnimeo only foray into the exquisite world Giallo that lacks character depth, but is more the makes up for it through its stylistic innovations. The two leads Edwige Fenech and George Hilton have worked together in many Giallo’s and their casting in The Case of The Bloody Iris fits like a glove as both are extremely attractive as give the film just the right amount of eye candy. Overall the cast is nothing special still they serve their purpose as there is lot of attractive people in this film.

As per most Gialli the soundtrack is an important factor and another amazing jazzy score from Bruno Nicolai for The Case of The Bloody Iris that is one of his better and most enjoyable to listen too. A Giallo wouldn’t be complete without its fare share of nudity and Giuliano Carnimeo manages to make the nudity feel more sexier then in most Gialli by his elegant use of composition through out. The screenplay was written by Ernesto Gastaldi who has written many classic Gialli and he is responsible for penning most of Sergio Martino’s better films. This movie is definitely a moment in time as all the early 1970′s fashions make this film feel dated, but then the best Gialli is know for its retro look. The Case of The Bloody Iris is Giallo at it purest form strip down to basic rules and ideas without any other purpose then to entertain and that it does in spades.

The DVD:

Case of the Bloody Iris is presented in its original 2:35:1 aspect ratio and it has been enhanced for 16 x 9 TVs. The colors are strong and there are a few instances of imperfection, still nothing that distracts from the viewing experience. Overall this is another excellent job by Anchor Bay as they have rescued another obscure film and returned it to its former glory.

The only audio option included is an English dubbed track that is free of distracting noise and as with the video Anchor Bay has done a fantastic job with the audio. The score that was written by Bruno Nicolai is rich and full of life on this DVD.

Extras include Anthony Ascott’s (Giuliano Carnimeo), filmography, the films original trailer and an alternate take of a key stabbing sequence is also included. Unlike the other films included in the Giallo collection The Case of the Bloody Iris doesn’t come with any interviews from the cast or crew which is a pity because I would have loved to hear their thoughts on this film.

The Case of the Bloody Iris is available exclusively as part of the Giallo collection and it was my favorite film from the set. If you like your Giallo sleazy and if you can get over the by the numbers standard Giallo plot then The Case of the Bloody Iris is definitely a Giallo you should check out.