In Dario Argento’s fearsome follow-up to THE BIRD WITH THE CRYSTAL PLUMAGE, a blind man (Karl Malden) and a reporter (James Franciscus) investigate a series of slayings connected to a secret genetic facility. The sleuths quickly narrow it down to nine suspects, including the institute head’s beautiful daughter. But each time they get close to solving the crimes, the killer strikes again. Argento trademarks abound here, including stylized use of color during murder scenes, extreme eyeball closeups, and a Hitchcockian finale on a roof that echoes NORTH BY NORTHWEST.
