The Bird with the Crystal Plumage (1970)

·1 hr 26 min·5 clips

After a decade of anticipation, the Freak Show finally reviews Dario Argento's debut giallo, The Bird with the Crystal Plumage.

The Saturday Night Freak Show podcast hosts Colin, Sean, Holly, and Michaela review Dario Argento's 1970 film The Bird with the Crystal Plumage. They begin by noting this episode marks the culmination of years of references to this foundational giallo film. The hosts discuss how Argento's debut established many genre conventions, including the foreign artist protagonist, black-gloved killer, and elaborate murder set pieces. They analyze the plot about an American writer who witnesses an attack in an art gallery and becomes embroiled in the investigation. The conversation covers the film's technical aspects, including cinematography by Vittorio Storaro and music by Ennio Morricone. The hosts examine key sequences like the opening bird museum scene and the glass vestibule attack. They discuss the film's place in Argento's career and its influence on subsequent giallo films. The episode includes analysis of the supporting characters, including the eccentric artist who eats cats and the pimp who stutters "so long." The hosts reveal trivia about the production, including that Argento wore the killer's gloves himself for point-of-view shots. They explore the film's ending twist involving a painting that triggers the killer's psychosis. The discussion compares this film to other Argento works like Deep Red and Suspiria. The hosts read listener emails about the film and share additional trivia about actor Tony Musante's difficult relationship with Argento. They conclude by rating the film and discussing its legacy within the giallo genre.

As heard by us

A long-awaited movie talk that stays sharp on the clues.

Saturday Night Freak Show finally reaches The Bird with the Crystal Plumage after years of talking it up, and the conversation treats it as a long-awaited pick.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

You finally get the movie they've been circling for a decade: The Bird with the Crystal Plumage.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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