Movie spotlight
The Longest Night
The daughter of a wealthy family is kidnapped and imprisoned underground in a custom-built, ventilated coffin while her family and the police search for her. But the battery that powers the ventilation is running out of juice and the ransom drop has been botched. This movie was originally shown as an ABC Movie of the Week on September 12, 1972. The story is based on the 1968 kidnapping of Barbara Mackle by Gary Krist.
Insights
Plot Summary
A blind pianist witnesses a murder in an apartment across the street and becomes the target of the killer. He must race against time to identify the murderer and clear his own name, all while relying on his other senses and the help of a young woman.
Critical Reception
The Longest Night, also known as 'The Five Days of Milan', is considered a stylish and suspenseful thriller from Dario Argento's early career. While not as universally acclaimed as some of his later giallo films, it is often praised for its atmospheric tension, inventive camera work, and gripping plot.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its suspenseful atmosphere and visual style.
Appreciated for its intricate mystery and Argento's signature directorial flair.
Some find the plot convoluted, but the tension is generally effective.
Google audience: Audience reviews are mixed, with some appreciating the classic giallo elements and suspense, while others find the plot pacing less engaging compared to Argento's more famous works.
Fun Fact
While often associated with Dario Argento's giallo films, 'The Longest Night' was actually directed by Marco Ferreri. Dario Argento worked on the screenplay, but the directorial credit belongs to Ferreri.
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