Black Belly of the Tarantula: The Uncut Edition (1971) | Region-Free (Blu-Ray)

Title: Black Belly of the Tarantula (1971)

Alternate Title: La tarantola dal ventre nero

Genre: Giallo, Thriller, Mystery

Plot Synopsis:
A series of murders is plaguing the city, with victims paralyzed by a potent toxin before being gruesomely slain, mirroring the method by which tarantulas are killed by a particular wasp. Inspector Tellini, grappling with his own self-doubt about his profession, is assigned to the case. As he delves deeper into the investigation, he uncovers connections between the victims, all linked to an exclusive spa, and finds himself entangled in a web of deceit and danger.

Cast and Crew:

• Director: Paolo Cavara
• Writer: Marcello Danon
• Cast:
  • Giancarlo Giannini as Inspector Tellini
  • Claudine Auger as Laura
  • Barbara Bouchet as Maria Zani
  • Rossella Falk as Franca Valentino
  • Silvano Tranquilli as Paolo Zani

YouTube Trailer:
Black Belly of the Tarantula | Trailer

IMDb Link:
Black Belly of the Tarantula (1971)

Reviews from Letterboxd:

1. SophieFarrell97 – ★★★★½
   “Overall, The Black Belly of the Tarantula is a really great film and a real gem within the giallo genre. While it isn’t necessarily my very favourite film from the genre, I still found The Black Belly of the Tarantula to be a thoroughly entertaining watch. The plot is great, with well developed characters, interesting twists and buckets of suspense. It may not be the most original plot, but it is so well executed that it hardly matters. The performances from the cast are also really great, and elevate an already strong screenplay further. The direction from Cavara is great and serves the film well, bringing every element together to create something special. His direction may not be flashy, but it works wonderfully for the film. The Black Belly of the Tarantula is a film that I really wanted to like and it did not disappoint. I can easily see it making its way on to my favourites list in the future.”
2. WeirdlingWolf – ★★★★
   “‘The Black Belly of the Tarantula’ (1971) – Paolo Cavara. An inventive Morricone score, a dazzling abundance of euro-totty, with bombshell Barbara Bouchet’s brief appearance proving entirely memorable! There’s a delightfully kinky killer, a singular modus operandi, and handsome Giancarlo Giannini makes for a charismatic, unusually sensitive detective.”
3. FredTheWolf – ★★★½
   “BLACK BELLY OF THE TARANTULA is probably one of the finest entries in the giallo sub-genre. While the mystery is fairly predictable if you really think about it while watching, the screenplay still manages to create a solid thriller that engages you from beginning to end. The characters are fleshed out enough to be more than just stereotypes, even if some do fall under that trap. The theme of self-doubt and insecurity is an interesting one, especially for a protagonist in this genre, and it adds a layer of depth to the narrative. The direction is solid, with some stylish sequences that stand out, and the score by Ennio Morricone elevates the film further. Overall, it’s a compelling watch for fans of the genre.”

Meta Description:
“Black Belly of the Tarantula” (1971), directed by Paolo Cavara, is a quintessential giallo film that follows Inspector Tellini as he investigates a series of gruesome murders involving paralyzed victims. The film is renowned for its suspenseful narrative, stellar performances, and an evocative score by Ennio Morricone.