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Best Italian Erotic Thrillers (10+1list)

Best Italian Erotic Thrillers

written by Souranath Banerjee

Best Italian Erotic Thrillers – In the early 1970s, there was a wave of horror/thriller Cinema that swept across Italy. Brutal murder mysteries clubbed with an abundance of erotic scenes was the best Italian-Erotic-Thrillersformula of success for the talented Italian directors of the time!

Even a new film genre was introduced, known as Giallo, only to accommodate these Italian Erotic Thrillers custom-made on such typical homicidal stalkers who love to wear black leather gloves and enjoy stabbing a series of pretty young women who surprisingly aren’t keen on wearing much clothes!

But let’s face the fact, the Italians probably know a thing or two more about ‘Erotism’ and ‘Thrill’ than most of the rest of the world!

So, relax and enjoy these violent and erotic murder mysteries straight from Italy, though all the films in the list doesn’t fall strictly under the Giallo genre, but no doubt they are some of the Best Italian Erotic Thrillers!

10. The Bird with the Crystal Plumage (1970)

L’uccello dalle piume di cristallo (original title)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2eknxl-A84

Italian-Erotic-ThrillersA serial killer is on the prowl. An American writer in Italy witnesses a murder attempt and soon his own life comes under danger.

Directed by the acclaimed master of horror classics Dario Argento (his debut film), a twisted murder mystery with great imagery and cool background score, the film credited for kick-starting the ever-popular giallo genre!

A few other Erotic Thrillers from the same director are Tenebre (1982) and Deep Red (1975).

9. Rabid Dogs (1974)

Cani arrabbiati (original title)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCKt9LoFDBM

Italian-Erotic-ThrillersThree vicious criminals takes hostage of some passengers in a car including a sick child, and force them to drive away from the town – their only chance of escape from the police. A ruthless crime drama that comes up with some superb plot twists just when you least expect them.

Directed by the great Italian horror filmmaker Mario Bava (and Lamberto Bava), this is one gritty thriller that you shouldn’t miss!

A few other Erotic Thrillers from the same director are Blood and Black Lace (1964) and Evil Eye (1963)

8. The House of the Laughing Windows (1976)

La casa dalle finestre che ridono (original title)

Film Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7kIXSz4bKk

Italian-Erotic-ThrillersA professional painting restorer is hired and invited to a small village where he needs to restore an old painting of St. Sebastian but soon he finds out that something is terribly wrong in that mysterious village. He decides to investigate further!

Directed by Pupi Avati, a classic giallo mystery thriller, haunting and unnerving, with an ending that is impossible to guess.

7. Short Night of Glass Dolls (1971)

La corta notte delle bambole di vetro (original title)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlMidH4tmvA

Italian-Erotic-ThrillersThe girlfriend of an American journalist visiting Prague disappears and it seems this is not the first case of young pretty girls getting disappeared in that area. And while investigating he stumbles into something too horrid and dark!

Directed by Aldo Lado, a rare  giallo with little gore but it certainly narrates a great suspense drama!

A few other Erotic Thrillers from the same director are Last Stop on the Night Train (1975) and Who Saw Her Die? (1972).

6. Almost Human (1974)

Milano odia: la polizia non può sparare (original title), The Death Dealer

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mK0H48Xs4eE

Italian-Erotic-ThrillersA demented homicidal maniac kidnaps the daughter of a wealthy man and commits a series of heinous crimes, but can the detective behind his trail will be able to bring him to justice?

Directed by Umberto Lenzi, a taut thriller that doesn’t cringe from showing the dark and ugly side of the human nature. Rape, torture, murder, suspense, chase sequences – this film has got everything!

Another Erotic Thrillers from the same director is Seven Blood-Stained Orchids (1972).

5. Your Vice Is a Locked Room and Only I Have the Key (1972)

Il tuo vizio è una stanza chiusa e solo io ne ho la chiave (original title)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMBtjDjzb8c

Italian-Erotic-ThrillersSurrounding the estate of an alcoholic writer and his beautiful wife, began a series of murders. The police were as clueless as the audience until the climax when the mystery gets revealed!

Directed by Sergio Martino, a superb giallo based on Edgar Allan Poe‘s The Black Cat. One of the rare films that features both beautiful Italian actresses Edwige Fenech and Anita Strindberg.

A few other Erotic Thrillers from the same director are Blade of the Ripper (1971) and The Case of the Scorpion’s Tail (1971). 

4. House on the Edge of the Park (1980)

La casa sperduta nel parco (original title)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6V7AqahaNq4

Italian-Erotic-ThrillersTwo sleazy low-life punks takes hostage of a group of affluent people and subject them to every form of torture imaginable.

The cult actor David Hess gives the performance of his life and looks damn scary! 

After Cannibal Holocaust this is the movie for which director Ruggero Deodato is most famous or rather infamous for.

3. What Have You Done to Solange? (1972)

Cosa avete fatto a Solange? (original title) 

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hhz5EevFcE

Italian-Erotic-ThrillersIn the midst of a scandalous affair between a teacher and his young student, a series of girls all from the same Catholic School are being stabbed to death in the most horrific manner.

Is this a deranged serial killer at work or someone with a hidden motive?

Directed by Massimo Dallamano, a superb mystery, a giallo that has the ability to hold on to its suspense till the end.

Another Erotic Thriller from the same director is What Have They Done to Your Daughters? (1974)

2. Don’t Torture a Duckling (1972)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_M3a3m6wOc

Italian-Erotic-ThrillersIn a remote southern Italian town a reporter and an immoral woman join hands to investigate a series of child killings. But soon they find that their own lives are in danger!

Directed by Lucio Fulci, my personal favorite who made some of the best Italian thrillers of the time, and starring famous actress Florinda Bolkan, this is one murder mystery that you don’t want to miss.

A few other Erotic Thrillers from the same director are One on Top of the Other (1969), A Lizard in a Woman’s Skin(1971) and The Psychic (1977).

  1. Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion (1970)

Indagine su un cittadino al di sopra di ogni sospetto (original title)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMofSyukEo0

Italian-Erotic-ThrillersThe chief of detective commits the murder of his mistress and deliberately leaves enough clues to challenge the entire police force! Undoubtedly the most sophisticated thriller in this list with an amazing plot, brilliant narrative and cool performances.

Directed by Elio Petri, the film won the Oscar for the Best Foreign Language Film (Italy) and also the Grand Prize of the Jury at the Cannes Film Festival that year!

A few other Erotic Thrillers from the same director are A Quiet Place in the Country (1968) and The Assassin (1961).

and (The ‘+1′ film is not necessarily the best but certainly the most innovative one. A must watch)

+1. L’immoralità (1978)

Film music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJ1kcq-8kIU

Italian-Erotic-ThrillersWounded and on the run a man (who is a child-killer) is given shelter by a 12 year old girl and eventually they fall in love, physically as well! But then the young girl’s mother also wants the fugitive to satisfy her needs!

Directed by Massimo Pirri, this is one twisted tale of passion and crime with pretty decent performances and a superb piano score that played through out the film.

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Poster courtesy: www.impawards.comwww.imdb.com.