Starring - Barbara Cupisti (Cemetery Man, Mothers), Stefano Davanzati (Dagger Eyes, The Final Executioner), Alessio Orano (Lisa and the Devil, Summer Affair)
Release Date - 1993
Genre - Horror/Crime
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
I've been fortunate to review several box sets and collections over the years but this High Tension: Four Films by Lamberto Bava from my friends over at Severin Films has really impressed. It's not often that you find a set of films where every movie in the set is enjoyable but this one has done it. You can say that I'm being a bit biased because I am a fan of Bava's but these films really are entertaining but I wouldn't call them all horror. In fact, some of the films may have some horror aspects scattered throughout, but they are mostly crime thrillers or dark drama. I just finished the fourth and final film in the set, Eye Witness. This one, much like the first film, feels a lot like a classic slasher meets a crime thriller. It was a great movie but not necessarily a horror tale. Regardless, it was worth it!
The film follows a pair trying to steal from a department store before closing time. However, as one of them leaves, the other is left behind to wait for them to fetch the car when one of the employees is murdered. She is there for the horrible crime but doesn't see it because she is blind. However, she did hear and smell the killer which is the best the detectives can get for the crime. The killer tries to cover up their lose ends and suspects that the blind witness can sense them resulting in a game of cat and mouse between the two.
These four made for television films from Lamberto Bava were really strange to me. I know every country has different rules and regulations but I can't see how Bava thought any of these films would be able to air on television. This is not the most gruesome of the four films but it is one with a little more focus on sex. Regardless, it makes sense why not all of these films aired on television and this one was another fun one to watch. The acting in this one is very consistent. I've seen movies and television shows where the cast is visually impaired and it was evident that was not the case here. It was a bit campy at times watching react while pretending to be blind. Also, a few of the scenes at the beginning of the film is a bit stiff. I can only assume that the film was shot in order and the cast slowly became more comfortable in their roles. The story for this one has some horror elements but it it's base is a crime thriller. The movie gives you the killer fairly early on with the tension and buildup taking place as this woman who is visually impaired is stalked by the known killer. It's predictable and while it was enjoyable for a first time watch, it doesn't really have replay value like the other films in the set. Finally, this film does have a few deaths but they are not as gruesome as I was expecting. The first film in the set really set the tone for what Bava could do with practical effects but the three films since have not really followed in it's footsteps. This one has some skin, some blood, and that is about the extent of it. Overall, Eye Witness feels like it wants to be a giallo of sorts but doesn't fully commit to it. It's a solid film but it is predictable and doesn't really have any replay value. Check it out but don't expect it to be your new favorite film.
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