Review of Black Belly of the Tarantula

A not so great giallo with a very over-inflated reputation. Giancarlo Giannini is trying to track down a lunatic who's been injecting women with the paralyzing agent of a wasp. The victim then gets to watch her own murder. While the idea is compelling, the film, directed by Paolo Cavara, is not particularly intriguing. There's very little build up to any of the crimes therefore there's no suspense. The acting is fine, particularly by Giannini as a world weary police inspector. The supporting cast includes such beauties as Barbara Bach, Barbara Bouchet, and Claudine Auger. The great Stefania Sandrelli plays Giannini's wife and Ezio Marano plays a creepy blind masseuse. The music is by Ennio Morricone.