Dagger Eyes

Dagger Eyes (released in Italy and France as Mystère; also known as Murder Near Perfect) is an Italian thriller film starring Carole Bouquet as Mystère.[1] The plot deals with prostitution.[2] The film was first released in Italy in 1983.[3]

Dagger Eyes
Italian theatrical release poster by Enzo Sciotti
Directed byCarlo Vanzina
Written byCarlo Vanzina
Enrico Vanzina
StarringCarole Bouquet
Music byArmando Trovaioli
CinematographyGiuseppe Maccari
Edited byRaimondo Crociani
Distributed byTris Film
Release date
November 28, 1983 (1983-11-28)
(Italy)
March 5, 1986 (1986-03-05)
(France)
Running time
84 min.
CountryItaly
LanguageItalian

Plot synopsis

Mystère is a high-class French prostitute who practices in Rome. Her friend and colleague Pamela steals a gold lighter from a German customer and hides it in her purse.[4] The German and Pamela are mysteriously killed in rapid succession and Mystère is saved from an aggression only by the prompt intervention of Inspector Colt.[5] Mystère and Colt come to a subtle understanding that will allow the pair to come to the fore of the international intrigue in which they find themselves involved.[6]

The German was in fact a photographer who had taken very compromising shots of an attack by the Soviet secret services on an American office in the Piazza di Spagna where a politician was assassinated.[7] The microfilm from the camera was hidden in the lighter that ended up in Mystère possession.[8] The beautiful prostitute discovers that her friend's killer, the photographer, is the head of Criminalpol, and manages to save Colt from them. Colt then kills his boss and decides to deal directly with the secret services to be able to obtain a large sum for the film and escape to make a new life with Mystère.[7]

An adventurous succession of events allows the inspector obtain a million dollars but the initial plan changes and Mystère is left behind. Mystère finds Colt in his golden exile in Thailand[5] and instead of taking revenge, the couple fall in love.[7] Not even the return of a secret agent, after the money from the film, spoils the new life they have made.

Production

The Vanzina brothers were inspired to make the film after seeing the 1981 French film Diva.[9]

The film is divided into chapters, starting with a prologue (the attack on the Piazza di Spagna filmed by the German photographer). The next 4 chapters represent the 4 days that followed in Rome where the events related to the microfilm in the lighter develop, and an epilogue (Mystère finds Colt). The latter was imposed on the authors by the producer Goffredo Lombardo. Carlo and Enrico Vanzina wanted a dry and cynical ending, but the producer opted for a happy ending.[9]

Location

The film was shot in Rome including at the Hotel Sheraton, that opened that year, and the Villa Borghese underground car park. The externals of the epilogue were shot in Hong Kong.[9]

Cast

References
  1. Roberto Chiti; Roberto Poppi; Enrico Lancia (2002). Dizionario del cinema italiano (in Italian). Gremese Editore. p. 67. ISBN 88-7742-429-X.
  2. Bruno Di Marino (1998). Premiata ditta "fratelli Vanzina" (in Italian). Falsopiano. p. 15.
  3. Harris M. Lentz (1994). Science Fiction, Horror and Fantasy Film and Television Credits: Supplement 2, Through 1993. 4. McFarland. p. 395. ISBN 0-89950-927-4.
  4. Torinus, Gregor. "Mystere". FILMTIPPS.at (in German). Retrieved 15 December 2019.
  5. "Mystère". KINO (in German). Retrieved 15 December 2019.
  6. "Mystère (1983)" (in Italian). FilmTV.it. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
  7. "Mystère (1983)". letterboxd.com. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
  8. "MYSTERE - Film (1983)". ComingSoon.it (in Italian). Retrieved 15 December 2019.
  9. Zender, Mauro (18 November 2007). "Enrico Vanzina ci parla di MYSTERE". www.davinotti.com. il Davinotti. Archived from the original on 5 August 2016. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
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