Cold Eyes Of Fear (1970) DVD Reviews

Starring	Julian Mateos, Karin Schubert, Gianni Garko, Giovanna Ralli
Director	Enzo Castellari
Genres	Horror

Critics' reviews of Cold Eyes Of Fear
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Low-budget thriller in which a battle of wits holds the attention for a time.
- Halliwell's Film Guide
- Posted 02 Mar 2006
Most helpful members' reviews (3) of Cold Eyes Of Fear
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5 out of 9 people found this review helpful

?According to the law, you are guilty!?

Cold Eyes of Fear is a rather disappointing title from the normally entertaining Italian cult director, Enzo Castellari. Despite most reviewers labelling this a Giallio, it does not involve the usual mysterious gloved madman stalking and violently killing his female victims. Instead the plot here focuses on a pair of thugs (Mateos and Wolff) who, after forcing their way into the home of a High Court Judge (Bunuel regular Rey), hold his nephew (Garko) and a prostitute (Ralli) captive whilst they search for evidence they believe will right a perceived wrong. Uncertain in its tone, slow in pace and riddled with plot holes, the action doesn?t really kick in until the last 5 minutes and by then it?s all too late. In addition to the weak plot you have to contend with some poor dubbing and an extremely beat-up soundtrack (there is an awful hissing sound that can be heard throughout the film). I?m struggling to find any real positives, though I suppose Morricone?s freestyle jazz score was pretty decent. If you are die-hard Italian cult fan then this is probably worth a look but I wouldn?t recommend this to the casual viewer 2.5/5. For better examples of Castellari?s work on Select you could try the classic poliziesco title, The Big Racket or even the fantastically cheesy 1990: The Bronx Warriors.
- - Clucky from Cardiff, Wales
  - Posted 13 Apr 2005 10:40
Rather poor Giallo

Formulaic and badly acted (and dubbed) Giallo. A couple of interesting moments and a great soundtrack really failed to create any tension at all as far as I was concerned. The most interesting thing was the London setting.
- - Rich from London
  - Posted 20 Mar 2008 12:29
CASTELLARI CATASTROPHE!

Very disappointing. I'm a fan of all films Italian and also of director Castellari, whose films are usually never less than thoroughly entertaining. Lots of things in this film's favour - London setting, Morricone score, great cast - and somehow none of it comes together at any point to produce a work of quality. Shame, completists might want to check it out though.
- - A customer from London
  - Posted 05 Jan 2009 17:32
Most recent members' reviews (2) of Cold Eyes Of Fear
View all
5 out of 9 people found this review helpful

?According to the law, you are guilty!?

Cold Eyes of Fear is a rather disappointing title from the normally entertaining Italian cult director, Enzo Castellari. Despite most reviewers labelling this a Giallio, it does not involve the usual mysterious gloved madman stalking and violently killing his female victims. Instead the plot here focuses on a pair of thugs (Mateos and Wolff) who, after forcing their way into the home of a High Court Judge (Bunuel regular Rey), hold his nephew (Garko) and a prostitute (Ralli) captive whilst they search for evidence they believe will right a perceived wrong. Uncertain in its tone, slow in pace and riddled with plot holes, the action doesn?t really kick in until the last 5 minutes and by then it?s all too late. In addition to the weak plot you have to contend with some poor dubbing and an extremely beat-up soundtrack (there is an awful hissing sound that can be heard throughout the film). I?m struggling to find any real positives, though I suppose Morricone?s freestyle jazz score was pretty decent. If you are die-hard Italian cult fan then this is probably worth a look but I wouldn?t recommend this to the casual viewer 2.5/5. For better examples of Castellari?s work on Select you could try the classic poliziesco title, The Big Racket or even the fantastically cheesy 1990: The Bronx Warriors.
- - Clucky from Cardiff, Wales
  - Posted 13 Apr 2005 10:40
CASTELLARI CATASTROPHE!

Very disappointing. I'm a fan of all films Italian and also of director Castellari, whose films are usually never less than thoroughly entertaining. Lots of things in this film's favour - London setting, Morricone score, great cast - and somehow none of it comes together at any point to produce a work of quality. Shame, completists might want to check it out though.
- - A customer from London
  - Posted 05 Jan 2009 17:32

5 out of 9 people found this review helpful

?According to the law, you are guilty!?

Cold Eyes of Fear is a rather disappointing title from the normally entertaining Italian cult director, Enzo Castellari. Despite most reviewers labelling this a Giallio, it does not involve the usual mysterious gloved madman stalking and violently killing his female victims. Instead the plot here focuses on a pair of thugs (Mateos and Wolff) who, after forcing their way into the home of a High Court Judge (Bunuel regular Rey), hold his nephew (Garko) and a prostitute (Ralli) captive whilst they search for evidence they believe will right a perceived wrong. Uncertain in its tone, slow in pace and riddled with plot holes, the action doesn?t really kick in until the last 5 minutes and by then it?s all too late. In addition to the weak plot you have to contend with some poor dubbing and an extremely beat-up soundtrack (there is an awful hissing sound that can be heard throughout the film). I?m struggling to find any real positives, though I suppose Morricone?s freestyle jazz score was pretty decent. If you are die-hard Italian cult fan then this is probably worth a look but I wouldn?t recommend this to the casual viewer 2.5/5. For better examples of Castellari?s work on Select you could try the classic poliziesco title, The Big Racket or even the fantastically cheesy 1990: The Bronx Warriors.
- - Clucky from Cardiff, Wales
  - Posted 13 Apr 2005 10:40
Rather poor Giallo

Formulaic and badly acted (and dubbed) Giallo. A couple of interesting moments and a great soundtrack really failed to create any tension at all as far as I was concerned. The most interesting thing was the London setting.
- - Rich from London
  - Posted 20 Mar 2008 12:29
CASTELLARI CATASTROPHE!

Very disappointing. I'm a fan of all films Italian and also of director Castellari, whose films are usually never less than thoroughly entertaining. Lots of things in this film's favour - London setting, Morricone score, great cast - and somehow none of it comes together at any point to produce a work of quality. Shame, completists might want to check it out though.
- - A customer from London
  - Posted 05 Jan 2009 17:32