this early film from future goremeister lucio fulci be a very good addition to the giallo sub genre . set in rural italy and there be a serial killer of child at large . add to the mix an array of character familiar to fan of giallo cinema a madwoman and a newspaper reporter and ineffectual police and a sexy siren and a priest and a mute girl and a mentally retarded loner etc . this be one of the best italian thriller of the early 70 . unusually for a giallo and the victim in this case be young boy and which make a change from the more typical woman in peril angle . the fact that it be kid who be the target of the maniac only serve to make thing a little more uncomfortable . fulci be push the envelope a bit here and he go even far in a gloriously outrageous unpc scene where a young boy be subject to the somewhat inappropriate attention of a sexy naked young woman ( barbara bouchet ) who he be task with deliver a drink to . she display herself openly and actively invite the youngster to ogle her while ultimately ask him if he want to go to bed with her . although she be clearly play around with him and it still quite an unusual scene . admittedly there be one or two unintentionally funny bit of dialogue here but it very nicely photograph and barbara bouchet exudes high level of confident sex appeal . a standout scene . even if you might feel slightly wrong watch it . along with barbara bouchet and the other standout performance be from florinda bolkan and who play a madwoman who be accuse of murder the child . she be not directly responsible but it be leave to the viewer to decide whether her black magic may or may not have kick off the subsequent killing spree . irrespective and she be hunt down by a lynch mob and chain whip while a car radio blast out rock music . this scene be very strong and unpleasant . it viciousness indicate the path fulci career would subsequently go . despite the visceral impact of the above murder it maybe a little surprising that the other killing be either bloodless or commit off screen . the only other death scene comparable with the lynch mob be the demise of the killer at the end of the movie and although this sequence be kind of silly . the plot be convolute and awash with red herring and although personally and i find the identity of the killer a little predictable . this weakness be less problematic on subsequent viewing though like most gialli and don not torture a duckling be eminently re watchable . technically and the film be well make with impressive camera work and solid acting and effective music from riz ortolani particularly good be a recur unaccompanied female vocal that sound like it come from a distant hill . fulci obviously go on to make more graphically violent horror movie but here he show a talent for slightly more restrained material . it still wild stuff though and be highly recommend to fan of giallo cinema .