When it comes to my frequent sampling of Italian genre cinema, I admit my tastes usually aren't towards giallo movies. Though I do watch one on occasion and I have found some of them to be enjoyable. However, "The Red Queen Kills Seven Times" is one giallo that I don't think I'll be returning to any time soon in the future. Believe me, I was trying to pay close attention to the movie, but there were some plot points that utterly baffled me. For example, the start of the movie seems to be about two sisters, but later a third sister is suddenly added. Then ANOTHER female heir is identified! (At least I think that's how the movie unfolded.) It didn't help that two of the principle female actresses looks remarkably alike. Those are just some of the confusing aspects about the movie. I admit I wasn't bored at any moment - there definitely is some style here, particularly in the murder sequences - but I simply didn't have a strong grasp as to who was who and their motivations, just a vague idea instead. The movie is obviously poorly dubbed at times, so maybe something was lost in the translation to English. Cool title, though.

When two sisters inherit their family castle, a string of murders committed by a mysterious dark haired woman in a red cloak decimates their circle of friends. Is the killer their ancestor, the "Red Queen" whom legend says claims seven lives every hundred years? This was Emilio Miraglia's follow-up to "The Night Evelyn Came Out of the Grave". Barbara Bouchet stars, making 1972 a good year for her -- she was also in the highly praised Fulci film "Don't Torture a Duckling". With her is "Evelyn" holdover Marina Malfatti who was also having a god year -- she was in Sergio Martino's "All the Colors of the Dark". Supporting them is Marino Masé, who appeared in even bigger films -- "The Leopard" and "Nightmare Castle", to name a couple. Lastly, Sybil Danning has a smaller early role here -- today (2016) she is probably the best-known of the cast due to her transition into American films.Composer Bruno Nicolai, another holdover from "Evelyn", really ties the film together. He had done many, many films but I would say this is probably among his best work. Unfortunately, aside from "Caligula", he never seems to have risen above Italian B-movies, even if he was in the same league talent-wise as Ennio Morricone.Luca Palmerini, no fan of Miraglia, dismisses this film as "mediocre". While it may not be groundbreaking or on the level of the masters (Fulci, Bava, Argento), for me, an average giallo is better than most horror films any day of the week. There is just something about the style and use of color that remains unmatched in American movies. And Palmerini fails to notice the striking villain (one of the most memorable of the giallo genre) and the clever blend of giallo and Gothic that seems to be the defining trait of Miraglia.Arrow Video hired both Alan Jones and Kim Newman to provide an audio commentary for their masterful blu-ray disc. The two tag team the commentary expertly, and either could have done it alone. But together? It is incredible.

One of the finest and most stylish gialli of early 70's "The Red Queen Kills 7 Times" by Emilio Miraglia tells the story of legend of The Red Queen who stabbed her sister(The Black Green)and six other innocent victims because she herself was earlier stabbed to death by Black Lady.This family curse happens every 100 years since 1772.There is a truly memorable and haunting femme killer in "The Red Queen Kills 7 Times":a red-caped black-haired beauty who stabs her victims to death via ancient dagger.Very stylish and colorful Italian giallo with lovely Barbara Bouchet and almost unrecognizable Sybil Danning.Plenty of nudity and some graphic murders including nasty death via iron fence.Fantastic soundtrack by Bruno Nicolai.It's a crying shame that "The Red Queen Kills 7 Times" was the last film of obviously talented Emilio Miraglia.8 red flowing gowns out of 10.

Emilio Miraglio's "The Red Queen Kills Seven Times" (1972) is just about the most perfect example of a giallo that I have ever seen, mixing all the requisite elements into one sinister stew indeed. First of all, and of paramount importance for me, it has a complex, twisty plot that ultimately makes perfect sense, and the killer here does not come completely out of left field at the end. The story, concerning a series of gruesome murders (you already know how many from the film's title, right?) that takes place in seeming fulfillment of an ancient prophecy concerning two sisters, is an involving one, and the murderer, a red-cloaked figure with the insane laugh of a madwoman, is both frightening and memorable. Every great giallo requires some lovely lead actresses, and here we have quite an assortment, headed by the ridiculously beautiful Barbara Bouchet as one of the two sisters and, in one of her earlier roles, Sybil Danning, as a lustful tramp at Barbara's fashion house. Another necessary ingredient of a superior giallo is a catchy, hummable score, and Bruno Nicolai provides one for this film that should stay with you for days. Gorgeous scenery? Check again. Filmed largely in Wurzburg, Germany, the picture is a treat for the eye indeed. OK, OK, but what about those murders? After all, isn't that what gialli are all about? Well, I'm pleased to report that most viewers should be well satisfied with the various knifings, shootings, impalements and other carnage that this film tastefully dishes out...not to mention the crypts, freaky dream sequence, rats and bats (and LOTS of 'em, too!), the drug references, a rape scene, the obligatory red herrings and, in the person of Ugo Pagliai, a hunky leading man for the female viewers. As I said, a perfect giallo. And even better, this DVD is from the fine folks at No Shame, and you know what that means: a gorgeous print and loads of extras, to boot! Thanks, guys!