Don’t Torture a Duckling (1972)
AKA: Non Si Sevizia Un Paperino
Directed by: Lucio Fulci
Starring: Barbara Bouchet (Rich woman), Florinda Bolkan (Witch), Marc Porel (Priest), Tomas Milian (Journalist), Irene Papas (Priest’s mother), Georges Wilson (Uncle Francesco)
Country: Italy
Language: Italian
Runtime: 01:48:13
Genres: Killer, Detective, Occult, Violence against Women, Old-Young Relationships
Plot – Spoilers:
In a southern Italian town, the kids roam the vast countryside and hills looking for adventure and anything that titillates their blooming sexuality. Their world is dotted by several colorful characters:
A bored and rich city girl contemptuous of the villagers’ outlook, but who has a special narcissistic interest in the young boys.
A young priest obsessed with preserving morality in the town and who tries to keep the boys engaged through their shared love for football.
A crazy woman who lost a baby years back and is now believed to be a witch. She too has her eyes on the boys as they trespass into places she considers sacred.
The village idiot who’s often bullied by the boys.
And then someone starts killing the children. The village idiot is picked up, but the case doesn’t seem convincing enough….
One of Lucio Fulci’s best and his breakout into the gore/giallo genre, of which he would become one of the masters. Great ’70s Italian music too, memorably used in a violent sequence.
If only the story had been as fascinating as that incredible road supported on massive pillars, as stunning as the amazing hills, mountains and valleys, and as exciting as the girl with the beautiful body, long hair and long legs, but, unfortunately, it wasn’t, nowhere near!
this movie sucked
now that was cool
Penis
This is a movie that shows religion as the bad deal and in return black magic is just a fictional
Excellent movie.Thanks again EUM!
Admins, any Giallo is always a great addition, but this was an especially good choice, thanks!
This film is arguably a pillar of the Giallo subgenre, Fulci’s favorite, as well as the first film in which he cranked up the violence a bit, almost(somewhat) to his trademark level. I remember years ago when I first got this film when it finally released in America, good times. The priest going off the cliff at the end always makes me laugh, lol.
Tho I consider The Psychic (aka Sette Note in Nero) to be Fulci’s best giallo (and one of my all-time favs), there’s no denying in terms of specifically Fulci’s gialli that this could also b considered his best. I’d put A Lizard in Woman’s Skin 3rd either way.
For a Giallo, 10/10, the standing ovation:D Be sure to check out his other gialli I listed above, as well as his film The Beyond (not Giallo, epic tho) if u like these style films. Another Giallo that is GREAT and somewhat like this (hs/college girls instead of kids tho) is What Have You Done To Solange. I’m extremely knowledgeable with Giallo films, and love to talk about em, so if anybody has any questions or wants recommendations, fire away;)
Does this movie Get better/more action over time? Watched 20 minutes and had trouble liking it,
If it’s a slow movie though I’ll pass for now 🙂
unbelievable – a fulci film with structure and relatively coherent
Fulci’s best work & one of the best giallo’s ever. I own this one but bravo for adding it admin!