Seven Deaths in the Cat's Eye
a.k.a. La morte negli occhi del gatto
1973 · Directed by Antonio Margheriti · Italy / France / West Germany
Seven Deaths in the Cat’s Eye is a 1973 period-set gothic giallo from Antonio Margheriti. Jane Birkin plays an innocent convent girl returning to the family pile in Scotland, where the big ginger cat is witness to several murders.
I only counted six, seven with the death of James the large ape. You need to watch it to get an understanding of why James, who is obviously a gorilla but referred to as an orangutan, is even part of the plot.
Birkin gives it her best shot as the put-upon Corringa, and Serge Gainsbourg is hilariously cast as a Scottish detective inspector investigating the shady goings-on. Preposterous and completely absurd, but all the better for it.
Superb soundtrack by Riz Ortolani, who uses strings, electronica and big band jazz to great effect.
