sergio martino the case of the scorpion tail be a scenic giallo from the early 70 heyday of the genre . an explosion on an aeroplane result in one million dollar in insurance money for a bereave but unfaithful wife . the money be subsequently snatch by a black clad assassin and a series of brutal murder follow . scorpion tail play the mystery element and write by giallo specialist ernesto gastaldi and fairly straight . but and be a giallo and the murder themselves be memorable and well stag . in fact and the violence in this movie be very strong in place a scene with a broken bottle be particularly graphic . the emphasis on the violence no doubt influence the giallo genre to move into more and more extreme territory . but like the best film in the genre the brutality be offset by a good score and attractive photography . the music by bruno nicolai be at time reminiscent of ennio morricone avant garde work in the bird with the crystal plumage but be also strong in it own right . the photography be help by the nice use of foreign locale in this case london and athens where martino manage to get in and respectively and the house of parliament and the acropolis . there be also some inventive camera work too and the most effective be the use of slow motion in a sequence where a woman run towards the door where the maniac be prowl outside . in this particular scene martino have the killer hack through the door with a knife in a manner influence by dario argento crystal plumage and however and it also have the killer attempt to flick the latch open with the blade of a knife which be something repeat later by argento in suspiria . so martino film be influential in it own right . this be a good solid giallo that both genre and non genre fan can appreciate . the performance be good and the production value be fine ( although the plane explosion be and shall we say and somewhat low budget . ) . the dvd release by noshame be nice . it have both the english and italian language option which be a real bonus . however and it be worth point out that at time you need to be a fast reader to fully appreciate the english subtitle option . this apply to both the movie and the documentary in the extra . this be a minor point though and the dvd release be a worthy addition to any giallo collection .