Violent Bloodbath

 

"Anyway, don't worry about me. I'm learning karate this year."

Stressed out from his job, District Attorney Oscar Bataille (Fernando Ray) takes his younger wife Patricia (Marissa Mell) to a seaside resort to unwind and reconnect. But while there, each of the Batailles is distracted by a looming shadow from their past. Just as Patricia encounters former lover Wilson Vargas (Espartaco Santoni) and secretly resumes her affair, Oscar uncovers a gruesome crime scene nearly identical to the case of Jacques Morell - a killer whom Oscar convicted and had executed three years ago. Did Oscar convict the wrong man? Or is someone trying to trigger his stress further with these murders and push him over the edge? Could the killer be fellow hotel guest and playboy movie star Javier Duran (Máximo Valverde)? Oscar and the Inspector (Julián Navarro) are on the case!

If ever there was a title that over-sells the movie, it's Violent Bloodbath (not to be confused with Bay of Blood). Equal parts of soap opera and murder mystery, this obscure Spanish giallo is light on both violence and blood. The original Spanish title makes a lot more sense - Pena de Muerte translates as "Death Penalty." Overall, it's entertaining and, while it lacks some of the classic tropes, it's worth seeking out.

• The guillotine killing listed above is a flashback to the execution of Jacques Morell, which happened before the action of the movie but is shown in a flashback midway through the film.

• Marissa Mell is, of course, a giallo all-star from Marta and Perversion Story. You may recall Fernando Ray as criminal Alain Charnier in The French Connection, waving to Gene Hackman from the safety of a well-timed subway train.

What the Hell Am I Watching?

There's a party at the resort that includes a lobster-eating contest. A row of young women strip down to bikinis and chow down on lobsters as the MC shouts at them to eat faster. It's one of those great "why?" moments that randomly pop up in giallo movies.

Fashion Moment:

For most of the movie, Patricia keeps a cool exterior in fashionable daywear, often featuring high contrast stripes for a dynamic look.

But occasionally she likes to let loose with a wild floral print.

Also, a quick shout-out to The Inspector, whose wardrobe is giving us the full Larry Dallas.