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Crime Cult Classic

Decadence, murder, and twisted fairy tales stalk the shadows of Milan’s elite.

PLOT OF FEAR

1976 · 1h 38m · NR · Crime / Mystery / Thriller · IMDB TMDB

A man is strangled by a female prostitute in his home at the same time as a woman is killed by a man with a spanner on an empty bus. In both cases the killer leaves an illustration from the children's book titled 'Shockheaded Peter'. The subsequent investigation leads to an exclusive club called Wildlife's Friends.

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Vault Note

Proof that nothing says 'party' like a tiger, a cage, and a little murder.

Programmer's Pick

The Italian giallo gets a decadent upgrade with orgies, tigers, and murder clues straight out of a twisted children’s book. Paolo Cavara keeps things stylishly sleazy, and Corinne Cléry’s turn as a fashion model-turned-informant is as revealing as the party’s dress code.

— SassyFlix Programmer
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Quick Answer
What is Plot of Fear about?

Plot of Fear is a 1976 Italian crime, mystery, and thriller film directed by Paolo Cavara about a police inspector investigating a series of bizarre murders linked to a decadent party and a sinister children's book.

Details & Specs
Director
Paolo Cavara
Writers
Paolo Cavara, Enrico Oldoini, Bernardino Zapponi
Release
1976
Runtime
1h 38m
Country
Italy
Language
Italian
Genres
Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Also Known As
Заговор на страха, Magnum 45, Bloody Peanuts, Terror infinito, Original title: E tanta paura

Synopsis

Plot of Fear tells the story of a decadent weekend party full of orgies and drugs on the outskirts of Milan. After two deaths occur Inspector Lomenzo interrogates one of the guests, a fashion model who becomes his informant, as well as his lover. Clery reveals that after a “wildlife orgy”one of the hosts tried to jokingly feed one of the prostitutes to a tiger but she got so frightened that she died of heart attack. In his attempt to find a connection between the victims, he investigates a cutting-edge security and surveillance firm whose director has secrets of his own to hide.

Why Cult

Giallo Meets Poliziotteschi

Plot of Fear fuses the stylish murder mystery of giallo with the gritty edge of Italian crime cinema, offering a heady cocktail of suspense and sleaze.

Twisted Children’s Book Clues

Each murder is marked by a creepy illustration from 'Shockheaded Peter,' turning a whimsical storybook into a calling card for death.

Decadent Milan Setting

The film’s world of orgiastic parties, high society, and secretive clubs paints a lurid portrait of 1970s Milan on the edge.

Cléry & Placido Odd Couple

Corinne Cléry's fashion model and Michele Placido's inspector share more than clues as their relationship moves from interrogation to intimacy.

Cast & Crew

View all →
Director: Paolo Cavara Writers: Paolo Cavara +2 more
Corinne Cléry Corinne Cléry Jeanne Michele Placido Michele Placido Inspector Gaspare Lomenzo Quinto Parmeggiani Quinto Parmeggiani Angelo Scanavini Edoardo Faieta Edoardo Faieta Fulvio Colaianni John Steiner John Steiner Hoffmann Jacques Herlin Jacques Herlin Pandolfi Cecilia Polizzi Cecilia Polizzi Woman at Villa Hoffmann Greta Vayan Greta Vayan Laura Falconieri Sarah Crespi Sarah Crespi Rosa Catena Enrico Oldoini Enrico Oldoini Lomenzo's Assistant Tom Skerritt Tom Skerritt Chief Inspector Eli Wallach Eli Wallach Peter Struwwel GG Giorgio Gargiullo EV Eleonora Vivaldi GG Guidarino Guidi Enzo Robutti Enzo Robutti Client with unfaithful wife Mary Ruth League Mary Ruth League Ruth Susanna Radaelli Susanna Radaelli DG Daniela Grassini BT Bianca Toso Claudio Zucchet Claudio Zucchet Agostino Farundi MG Mirella Giraldi MR Maria Rosa La Fauci Maria Tedeschi Maria Tedeschi Angelo Scanavini's mother MM Mario Mercalli Mario Lombardozzi GR Giuseppe Rodolfo Dal Pra Ennio Antonelli Ennio Antonelli Colaianni's Employee (uncredited) Marcello Meconizzi Marcello Meconizzi Private Eye (uncredited) TP Tino Polenghi Policeman (uncredited) Piergiorgio Plebani Piergiorgio Plebani Mauro Lombardozzi (uncredited)

Scene Gallery

Trailers & Clips

Questions from the Vault

What is Plot of Fear about? +

Plot of Fear follows Inspector Lomenzo as he investigates a string of bizarre murders tied to a debauched party and a children's book, uncovering secrets among Milan's elite.

Who directed Plot of Fear? +

Plot of Fear was directed by Paolo Cavara.

How long is Plot of Fear? +

Plot of Fear has a runtime of 98 minutes.

What genre is Plot of Fear? +

Plot of Fear is a crime, mystery, and thriller film.

Where can I watch Plot of Fear? +

Plot of Fear is available to stream on SassyFlix.

Themes & Keywords