''Solamente nero'' (''Only Blackness''), internationally released as ''The Bloodstained Shadow'', is a 1978

Italian Italian(s) may refer to: * Anything of, from, or related to the people of Italy over the centuries ** Italians, an ethnic group or simply a citizen of the Italian Republic or Italian Kingdom ** Italian language, a Romance language *** Regional Ita ...

giallo film In Italian cinema, ''Giallo'' (; plural ''gialli'', from ''giallo'', Italian for yellow) is a genre of mystery fiction and thrillers that often contains slasher, crime fiction, psychological thriller, psychological horror, sexploitation, and, l ...

co-written and directed by

Antonio Bido Antonio Bido (sometimes credited as Tony B. Dodd; born January 8, 1949) is an Italian film director. Bido is known for such films as '' Watch Me When I Kill'', '' Blue Tornado'' with Patsy Kensit, David Warner and Dirk Benedict, and ''The Blood ...

. The film was referred to as "a fine example of a competent giallo, as it contains all of the requisite elements". Paul Simpson wrote about the film: "The pacing goes awry, but Bido uses the unusual setting well and the murders are memorably gory."

Plot

A mysterious stranger strangles a young girl in a field, and the murder goes unsolved. Years later, young Stefano (a college professor) returns home to

Venice Venice ( ; it, Venezia ; vec, Venesia or ) is a city in northeastern Italy and the capital of the Veneto region. It is built on a group of 118 small islands that are separated by canals and linked by over 400 bridges. The isla ...

to visit his brother Don Paolo, a priest who has been ranting against the immoral people in his village...a group of ne'er-do-wells including a gambler, a pedophile/ Count, a fake medium, and an illegal abortionist. One by one, the sinners begin to get murdered, and Stefano tries to uncover the killer before he and his brother become victims themselves.Luther-Smith,Adrian (1999). ''Blood and Black Lace: The Definitive Guide to Italian Sex and Horror Movies''. Stray Cat Publishing Ltd. p. 14 The killer's identity is linked to a child-like painting.

Cast

Lino Capolicchio Lino Capolicchio (21 August 1943 – 3 May 2022) was an Italian actor, screenwriter, and director. He won a special David di Donatello acting award for his role in Vittorio de Sica's 1970 film, '' The Garden of the Finzi-Contini''. Capolicchio ...

: Stefano D'Arcangelo * Stefania Casini: Sandra Sellani * Craig Hill: Don Paolo *

Massimo Serato Massimo Serato, born Giuseppe Segato, (31 May 1916 – 22 December 1989) was an Italian film actor with a career spanning over 40 years. Serato was born in Oderzo, Veneto, Italy and started appearing in films in 1938. He played leading roles in ...

: Count Mariani * Juliette Mayniel: Miss Nardi * Laura Nucci: Sandra's Mother-in-law *

Attilio Duse Saint Attilio, one of the legendary martyrs of the Theban Legion, is venerated as a saint in the area of Trino Vercellese, in Piedmont, north-west Italy and commemorated on 28 June. However his cult is no longer officially recognized by the Roma ...

: Gasparre, the sacristan *

Gianfranco Bullo Gianfranco is a compound Italian given name, consisting of Gian- and Franco. ''Gian-'' comes from Giovanni and is used in compound names. It is closest to John or French Jean. Gianni means "God is gracious" and Franco means "Free man" or "Frenchman ...

: Nardi's son * Luigi Casellato: Signor Andreani * Alfredo Zammi: Police Commissioner

References

External links

* 1978 films Giallo films 1970s crime thriller films Films directed by Antonio Bido Films scored by Stelvio Cipriani Films scored by Goblin (band) 1970s Italian-language films 1970s Italian films {{crime-thriller-film-stub