Watch Four Flies on Grey Velvet
- PG
- 1971
- 1 hr 44 min
-
6.5 (10,259)
Four Flies on Grey Velvet is a 1971 Italian thriller film directed by Dario Argento. The film stars Michael Brandon as Roberto, a young drummer who finds himself being stalked by a mysterious figure after accidentally killing a man who was spying on him. Mimsy Farmer plays Nina, Roberto's girlfriend who helps him try to catch the killer.
The film is part of Argento's "animal trilogy," along with The Bird with the Crystal Plumage and Cat o' Nine Tails. The title refers to the often-cited fact that flies have no pupils, which makes them incapable of seeing themselves in a mirror.
The movie opens with Roberto experiencing a strange nightmare that involves the murder of a man. The next day, he meets his girlfriend Nina at a park, where they are interrupted by a strange man who appears to be taking photographs of them. Roberto confronts the man, and a scuffle ensues that results in the stranger being stabbed to death by Roberto.
After disposing of the body, Roberto begins to receive mysterious, threatening letters from a person who claims to have witnessed the killing. The letters are signed by "The Black Glove," a sinister figure who seems to be stalking Roberto.
In an attempt to catch the killer, Roberto becomes increasingly paranoid and begins to suspect everyone around him. He is aided in his investigation by a private detective named Arrosio, played by Jean-Pierre Marielle.
As the bodies begin to pile up, Roberto and Nina find themselves drawn deeper into a web of violence and intrigue. They eventually discover that the killer is someone they never expected.
Four Flies on Grey Velvet is a stylish and surreal thriller that features many of the hallmarks of Argento's work. The director's use of color and light creates a dreamlike atmosphere that is both eerie and beautiful. The film's score, which was composed by Ennio Morricone, is an unsettling mix of jazz and avant-garde music that perfectly suits the film's tone.
The performances in the film are strong, particularly Michael Brandon's portrayal of Roberto. The character is both sympathetic and flawed, making him easy to root for even as he makes increasingly desperate decisions. Mimsy Farmer is also excellent as Nina, playing the character with both vulnerability and strength.
The film's plot is intricate and multi-layered, with many twists and turns that keep the audience guessing until the end. Some of the plot elements are a bit confusing, but this only adds to the film's dreamlike quality.
One of the film's standout sequences is a dream sequence that takes place in a theater. The sequence features a performance by a strange, circus-like troupe, and is both visually striking and disturbing.
Overall, Four Flies on Grey Velvet is a must-see for fans of Italian horror and thriller films. It combines stunning visuals, a haunting score, and a gripping plot to create a truly unique cinematic experience.
Four Flies on Grey Velvet is a 1971 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 44 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5.