Hatchet for the Honeymoon (1970)
***SPOILER***
At very early voice over after the film starts we find an interesting monologue:
My name is John Harrington. I'm 30 years old. I'm a paranoiac. Paranoiac. An enchanting word, so civilized, full of possibilities. The truth is, I am completely mad. The realization which annoys me at first, but is now amusing to me. Quite amusing. Nobody suspects I am a madman. A dangerous murderer. Not Mildred, my wife. Nor the employees of my fashion center. Nor of course my customers.
Not only Bava's one of the finest but a very different Giallish psychological horror of early 70's which is (IMO) little bit like a fantastic cross between two legendary psychological horror thriller of all time...Psycho (1960) & American Psycho (2000)!
The voice over, flashbacks, excessive zooms, subjective camera use, swift shots of the dolls and beautiful visual design masterfully reflect a killer's diseased mind. And from the very beginning since we're attached with Harrington's point of view & thoughts, we get the chance to relate with his trauma & hunger for killing easily. Plus the way Bava always captured the typical Gothic mansion is like a labyrinth that only a maniac like Harrington could understand.
"A woman should live only until her wedding night. Love once and then die"...hats off to Mario Bava once again.
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