Strip Nude for Your Killer

Fashion models associated with a specific modeling agency are the choice of fodder to a crazed maniac wearing motorcycle garb in 1975's Italian shocker 'Strip Nude for Your Killer.' The simplistic plot jumps right into it the mix of things after the death of one woman during an illegal abortion. It's not very clear at the start, mostly because the entire picture is drenched in unforgiving shadows, but the first murder victim is the doctor who performed the procedure. Funnily, the killer travels the city by car instead of a motorcycle, which either has you wondering about the reasons for the outfit or how the psychopath can see anything at night behind the helmet's dark visor.

Nevertheless, as is typical in most movies of the horror genre, logic must be kept at a minimum if not checked at the door for their enjoyment. And 'Strip Nude' does try to make itself enjoyable, albeit in its own unique way, chockfull of booze, breasts and blood — reinventing the "Three B's" in its own image. Literally, if someone on screen isn't being murdered or bearing it all for the camera, then they are more than likely drinking hard liquor, preferably some J&B scotch on the rocks. It eventually pays off in one sequence where all three ingredients are used at once on a pair of inconsequential characters who suddenly become the targets of the killer's ferocious rage.

Everything leading up to that event is one murder after another while audiences are left completely in the dark with no one to turn their suspicions towards. While the police fumble around in circles in their investigation, playboy photographer Carlo (Nino Castelnuovo) tries to probe deeper into the case on his own although how exactly he's suited for the job is never fully explained. The stunningly gorgeous Magda (Edwige Fenech) lends a hand in his search even though she clearly demonstrates a better eye for finding clues. Yet, the script by Massimo Felisatti, from a story idea by the movie's director Andrea Bianchi, works diligently at giving the "man" the intelligence and skill for unmasking the killer, despite the connections being much-too serviceable and opportune.

Combining elements of the giallo with Italian-style skin flicks, this curious erotic thriller offers an interesting enough mystery with lots and lots of full-frontal nudity. Can't say the movie's title doesn't warn you as it definitely lives up to what it promises. At one point, one woman's bra pops open for no visible reason other than to see her topless as she fights for her life against her attacker. The rest of the female cast shed their clothing with little hesitation, even when faced by the presence of some rather abusive men or a large fat man begging for sex with a big wad of cash in hand. In fact, the only male figures seen throughout are scary misogynists, unreserved chauvinists and one presumed homosexual that is killed off fairly early on.

Best remembered for the cult zombie favorite 'Burial Ground,' Bianchi balances the movie's many negative — and sometimes blatantly offensive — aspects with a few bits of stylized direction and several instances of humor, only some of which are intentional. The "boing" sound effects right when a naked woman is about to be murdered are inappropriately hilarious and that same overweight man's death is absolutely hysterical. In spite of a few moments of brilliance, however minor and all-too brief, this mostly forgotten exploitation feature doesn't do a whole lot to make itself memorable or standout from other such thrillers with a heavy dose of eroticism. 'Strip Nude for Your Killer' is watched more out of curiosity for its title than anything else.

The Blu-ray: Vital Disc Stats

Blue Underground brings 'Strip Nude for Your Killer' to Blu-ray on a Region Free, BD25 disc inside a normal blue keepcase. There are no trailers or promos before being taken a standard menu selection with music and full-motion clips.

'Strip Nude' bares it all on Blu-ray with a slightly disappointing yet passable 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 encode which has its moments of high-def goodness sprinkled throughout. The biggest issue is the weak black levels, producing ugly, cloudy shadows that completely swallow up background info. Added to that, there is a thin layer of low-level noise washing over the entire picture from beginning to end and most visible during nighttime sequences. Contrast is kept in check reasonably well and maintains good balance, but also appears somewhat boosted in several scenes where a couple highlights look a bit hot. The color palette doesn't make a significant jump but primaries are cleanly rendered with natural skin tones. Clarity and definition are definitely an improvement although it's not always consistent with a few scenes of softness here and there.

The DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack comes with two language options: the original Italian language or the English dubbed version. Either way, listeners can't go wrong as the lossless mono mix comes with an excellent sense of space and presence. The mid-range isn't very extensive or pushed very far, but the mids and highs are nicely differentiated without a hint of noise or distortion. Small details in the background, like footsteps or city traffic, are perfectly audible and occupy a good chunk of the screen's width. Low bass is surprisingly strong and fairly deep, providing the heavy guitar riffs of the musical score with plenty weight. Understandably, much of the focus on this high-rez track is placed on the dialogue, which sounds intelligible and is very well-prioritized.

Blue Underground ports over the same collection of supplements found on the 2005 DVD release.

• Strip Nude for Your Giallo (SD, 12 min) — With English subtitles, the piece features separate interviews of actress Solvi Stubing and writer Massino Felisatti reminiscing on the production, their careers and the Italian film industry.


• Trailer (HD) — The international preview rounds out this section.

From the director of the cult zombie favorite 'Burial Ground,' Andrea Bianchi combines elements of the giallo with the sensual nudity of Italian erotica in 'Strip Nude for Your Killer.' The 1975 exploitation shocker is an amusing and often comical flick which only fans of sleaze can appreciate. Despite being an improvement over its DVD counterpart, this Blu-ray edition arrives only with an average video quality and a good audio presentation. Bonus section comes with two new but very minor supplements, making this a package only fans will want.