Plot of Fear

A murder mystery with erotic flourishes, this 1976 Italian film stars Michele Placido as Inspector Gaspare Lomenzo, a Milan homicide detective assigned to investigate a series of killings tied to membership in the Fauna Club, which is ostensibly a society of wealthy animal lovers but is in fact a cover for orgies and worse. Top billing, however, goes to Corinne Cléry (star of 1975's The Story of O) as Jeanne, a fashion model living next door, while Eli Wallach pops in periodically as private eye Pietro Riccio, hired by members who are worried that they might be next. Sexual interludes are interwoven with sometimes brutal crime sequences, resulting in an odd hybrid that mixes flamboyant Italian horror with sex and glamour, police camaraderie, and hints of conspiracy. Unfortunately, there's not much thrill to the thriller aspect of the rather silly plot, and director Paolo Cavara exhibits less interest in the elaborate criminal activities than in showing off the sexy females sans clothes. Presented with both the original Italian and an English dubbed soundtrack, DVD extras include interviews with screenwriter Enrico Oldoini, Placido, and Pietro Cavara (son of the director), as well as a DVD-ROM–accessible booklet. Optional, at best. (S. Axmaker)