The Devil with Seven Faces
Carroll Baker plays a dual role in this film, two identical twins named Julie and Mary. While in Holland, Julie begins receiving threats from some mysterious men who attempt to kidnap her, and one of them menaces her while wearing a gorilla mask. They are confusing her with her twin sister Mary in London, who apparently stole a massive diamond from a Maheraja and even betrayed her own husband Craig who was in on the heist. A race car driver named Tony (George Hilton) saves Julie from being kidnapped and hides her out in an apartment owned by an old blind woman, who is later found murdered. Luciano Pigozzi plays an insurance investigator who is searching for the diamond. Despite the title, which suggests that this will be a horror film, The Devil with Seven Faces is actually a straight crime thriller. The film features several of the Giallo trademarks; but gory murder isn’t one of them, and instead the plot focuses on a missing diamond worth one million pounds. The style of the film is very much Italian, with all the characters being of the slick and cool variety and the plot taking a backseat to some odd decisions and unlikely happenings. It’s safe to say that this isn’t the usual Giallo and some fans may be disappointed; but in its own right, The Devil with Seven Faces is a fun little thriller with lots to enjoy.
