The Case of the Scorpions Tail
(aka: La Coda dello scorpione) 
(1971)
review by Monkeyman

If you've read any of my reviews of Sergio Martinos films you will already know how much I rate his films,and this is one of his very best pieces of giallo/exploitation film making.

Kurt Baumer is blown to pieces when his plane explodes in mid-air,and his unfaithful wife Lisa receives one million dollars compensation from his insurance company.

Needless to say,the insurance company is suspicious and sets their top investigator Peter Lynch on the case to investigate Lisa,to determine if she had any involvement in Kurts mysterious death.
There is obviously an attraction between the two,but their budding romance is cut short by the unwanted attentions of Kurts lover,Lara Florakis and her lawyer,Sharif,who persuade her to visit them in an abandoned theatre to discuss blackmail terms.

It all goes sour,and Sharif chases Lisa through the building,until she is rescued by Peter and they make their escape.

Just as things seem to be settling down, there is a shocking Psycho-style plot development which is a major suprise. Before you know it we are treated to the familiar sight of a black gloved killer (who begins to despatch various members of the cast in a gory manner),and the usual welcome expanses of female flesh as a second female lead is introduced into the mix.

Martino always confounds our expectations in relation to his actors-you are never quite sure who will live and die, and the murderer is quite often a sympathetic and likeable character.Scorpions Tail is no exception to this formula.

An exciting chase on the cliff-tops rounds off proceedings,and you are left to savour another really well made and influential giallo as the credits are rolling.

Anita Strindberg is a truly beautiful woman,and she shares a very welcome sex scene with the ubiquitous George Hilton.Its amazing how many times Hiltons face pops up in seventies giallos-Im sure he could have performed these roles in his sleep if he wanted to,but its to his credit that he turns in a genuinely likeable performance in this film.

Bruno Nicolai turns in another cool score,and Ernesto Gastaldi (the very best of the giallo writers) also had a hand in the script.
All in all, thoroughly recommended, and as far as I'm concerned the sooner someone picks up Martinos giallos for a DVD release the better.

The version on review here is the Greek VHS release which is in English and is unfortunately the best way to view the film at the moment