The Fifth Cord

Set in the gripping world of the noir genre, The Fifth Cord (1971) is an unnerving Italian murder mystery film skillfully directed by Luigi Bazzoni. Featuring the indomitable Franco Nero at the center of its plot, the movie brims with the moral ambiguity, eerie atmosphere, and psychological depth typical of classic Italian giallo cinema.

The story begins with a sinister figure plotting a murky string of murders following a bizarre New Year party sequence. We follow the protagonist, a hard-drinking, quick-witted crime reporter, Andrea Bild (played by Franco Nero) who finds himself drawn into the nexus of these mysterious murders. While Nero is best known for his Westerns, notably Sergio Corbucci's Django, here he brings depth and ambiguity to a sympathetically flawed protagonist, an intriguing departure from a conventional hero characterization.

Silvia Monti, playing the role of Helene, is Nero's leading lady in the film. Her portrayal of the elegant, self-assured woman adds a layer of mystique and further intrigue to the narrative. Wolfgang Preiss plays an essential role as a man deeply entangled in the fabric of mystery and murder, thereby augmenting the film's multilayered narrative.

The Fifth Cord is steeped in the rich aesthetics of the giallo subgenre, its tension enhanced by a jarring yet evocative musical score composed by the Ennio Morricone, maestro of Italian cinema. The film’s striking visual style is achieved through the lens of Vittorio Storaro, whose cinematography brings a contemporary architectural elegance to the classic horror tropes of the genre. These elements serve to create a brooding atmosphere that plays on the viewer's mind long after the final credits roll.

The movie oscillates between being a classic detection story, as we trace Bild's pursuit of the truth, and a suspense thriller, where the identity of the killer is painstakingly concealed. The fact that Bild himself becomes the prime suspect adds another layer to the narrative, escalating the suspense and tension. The film follows Bild as he navigates the increasingly compromised landscapes of the affluent, ranging from urbane cityscapes to elite gatherings, spotted with intriguing and often eccentric characters.

The film bears testimony to the ways in which director Luigi Bazzoni transcends the boundaries of conventional psychological horror and crime genre. In doing so, he weaves intricate plot details, engaging monologues, gripping action sequences, and nail-biting suspense into an atmospheric thriller that is every bit as cerebral as it is visceral. The narrative expertly animates the many shades of human character and the darkness within.

The Fifth Cord also showcases Italian culture, society, and popular fashion of the era, which adds another level of depth to the narrative. It benefits from director Bazzoni’s distinctive aesthetic and storytelling style, with each frame exuding a sense of foreboding and unerring style. It fluidly moves from the absurdist realm conveyed through the distorted, wide-angle camerawork to the realistic, capturing the minute details in ultra-sharp focus that reinforces the oppressiveness of the unfolding mystery.

The Fifth Cord delivers a slow burn of suspense that builds to a thrilling climax, featuring a showdown that is widely considered a masterclass in suspense film climaxes. The identities, motives and connections of the characters unravel themselves in the finale, leaving your nerves on edge.

In its essence, The Fifth Cord is not just a classic mystery thriller but also a searing portrait of the human psyche. The fear, passion, guilt, and confusion of its characters amalgamate to form a cataclysmic force that amplifies the thrills and chills. Whether you're a seasoned connoisseur of Italian giallo cinema, or a newcomer to this specific brand of thriller, The Fifth Cord is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat from the opening scenes to its unnerving conclusion.