Product Description"I am going to commit murder," intones the faceless killer. "I can imagine the thrill and pleasure I will experience as I stalk my victim. There must be no mistakes!" But when four trendy socialites are brutally murdered, an alcoholic reporter (a terrific performance by Franco Nero) begins to unravel a twisted trail of clues. Can this desperate journalist stop a depraved psychopath before he himself becomes the fifth victim? THE FIFTH CORD has it all: kinky sex, shocking violence, stunning cinematography by Oscar(r) winner Vittorio Storaro (BIRD WITH THE CRYSTAL PLUMAGE, APOCALYPSE NOW), a classic score by Ennio Morricone, and much more. Pamela Tiffin (THE PLEASURE SEEKERS), Silvia Monti (LIZARD IN A WOMAN'S SKIN), Edmund Purdom (PIECES), Agostina Belli (REVOLVER) and Ira von Furstenberg (5 DOLLS FOR AN AUGUST MOON) co-star in this superior giallo directed by Luigi Bazzoni now transferred from the original camera negative in High Definition and available in America for the first time ever. - Actors: Franco Nero, Silvia Monti, Wolfgang Preiss, Ira von Fürstenberg, Edmund Purdom
- Director: Luigi Bazzoni
- Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
- Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
- Format: Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, Widescreen, NTSC
- Language (Original Language): English
- Language (Original Language): Italian
- Region Code: 1
- Release Date: 2006-03-28
- Running Time: 93 minutes
- Theatrical Release Date: 1975-01
Customer ReviewsReviewed on 2008-02-28  
3 stars for the 5th cord, an above average giallo
this is one of the most visually fantastic giallo i've seen yet. the composition is perfect. beautiful images contrast a stark plot, as a real giallo should.
there's a brief shot early on with to spiral stair cases on opsing sides of the huge building. this was one of my favorite shots in the movie but what did it even have to do with anyhting??
any how, mr nero does well in this role and has an interesting look that is perfect for a leading man. the scene where he beats the piss out of a race car driver is pretty awsome. the music was just right. nothing like goblins deep red score which was quite a mess that with better direction could have been really something. the sets are one of the greatest thing about the fifth cord. it's all about the visuals and it seems that is where all the attention and effort went to for the most part. as a result it seems the story ends up lacking. however, trying to compensate for such visuals would require one hell of a story no matter what.
the menu to this dvd is simple yet intense! the killers audio is dubbed over the excellent score accompanied by a tense clip from the film where the killer is running maniacly along the outside of a building, silouhetted by a dark blue background outside massive windows. excellent.
highly recomend this one to just about anyone really. |  | Reviewed on 2007-05-24
A spooky, whodunnit murder thriller from the 70's
THE FIFTH CHORD (1975) is a spooky, whodunnit murder thriller
starring the talented Franco Nero, who packs his characteristic
convincing, intense physical and mental presence to this Italian-made
movie.
A number of elements from this movie, are typically from the 70's
making the release a bit dated, such as the sideburns haircut, the
architecture (wooden homes, with sharp geometry),_ raincoats and the
simplicity of the man and woman relationships that are portrayed.
There is a conscious effort to make this movie stylish, by filming in
custom, specially designed fancy homes, among the top 10% wealthy I
would presume, and by the camera focusing on dozens and dozens of
paintings on the walls of almost each and every home and office.
From a cinematographical point of view, the camera shots are crystal
clear, and well focused. The DVD transfer is outstanding.
Some critics might suggest an excessively passive filming, but that's
not the case at all, as the movie has action scenes although mainly
towards the end of the movie, with probably a hand held camera.
The soundtrack, by Ennio Morricone, further emphasizes the spooky,
neurotic mood that the movie tries to tell, and suceeds in doing so,
although this movie will perhaps work best for those suffering from
insomnia.
Overall, a well filmed movie, in a somewhat scary sequence of events,
with Nero doing a great job bringing excitement and presence to the
screen.
However, for those who aren't fans of these types of nightmarish
stories, they probably should take a pass, especially since over 30
years have passed since this was released to the theatres, and there
are better films. | | Reviewed on 2006-08-17
And You Though The First Four Were Scary!
Giallo fans need only apply. And giallo fans will know what to expect from this one. There's akilla on the loose and he's hinting that there will be five murders. What's the connection with the victims? Like I'm gonna tell you, you'd just better see it. The man hot on the killer's trail is alcoholic reporter Franco Nero! There were about eight billion giallos around at this time, and The Fifth Cord stands above many of them. It's got a great look and a very good performance from Nero. Nero is a very good actor, probably one of the best to come out of Italy, and because of this he gives his character more depth than the average giallo hero. Not much for gore, but this film really doesn't need it. Yet again, Blue Underground has done us all a favor by releasing this film and cleaning it up as good as possible. They also give us a 16 minute interview with both Nero and director, Luigi Bazzoni, who apparently was a really cool guy. Giallo fans should be pleased. | | Reviewed on 2006-04-01
A Beautiful Wedge of Giallo Eye Candy
With Franco Nero as the lead and cinematography by the multiple Oscar-winning Vittorio Storaro you'd be a fool not to expect an extremely good looking film. And if you're a fan of murder mysteries--especially the Italian variety known as gialli--then you'll probably eat this one up. The story is pretty thin and it's not gore soaked like many others, but it's really thick with a somber, tense, shadow-filled atmosphere and it's well acted by the jaw droppingly handsome Nero, Rosella Falk and Sylvia Monti. The climax, which begins in a fantastic modern house and ends in an abandoned factory is, for once, well choreographed and exciting. Good score by Ennio Morricone and did I say it's gorgeous to look at? Well, it is. | | Reviewed on 2006-03-02
For fans of the genre.
I haven't seen the Blue Underground disc yet, but I'm sure that the picture and sound quality are miles ahead of my Japanese import. I'll confine my comments to the film itself. On the downside, the story is really nothing special. I identified the killer on sight. But giallo fans are often more concerned with atmosphere - which brings us to the upside. Franco Nero is just fine as usual, but the real stars are Morricone and Storaro. This really is a terrific score. (An excellent CD was available under the Italian title: "Giornata Nera Per L'Ariete.") And there is a strong graphic quality to a lot of the compositions. The stalking scenes are the usual thing - but satisfying for those who enjoy the trappings of Italian thrillers. I like the trailer from this a lot. If you're into these and have reasonable expectations this just might be worth your time. One complaint, though. I wish Blue Underground would go to the trouble of giving us an Italian audio track and English subs more often. No Shame has been very good about this. | |
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