The Fifth Cord (1971) ***1/2

What Luigi Bazzoni's The Fifth Cord (1971) lacks as a mystery it more than makes up for as a super stylish piece of filmmaking. So while it may be somewhat conventional as a film, it's quite good as an artsy giallo (and gains strength on revisits). 

The cinematography by Vittorio Storaro really is top notch—fluctuating between meticulously framed, beautifully lit compositions and roaming, motion-heavy shots that never lose focus. Themes of isolation and imprisonment are reinforced by the strong visuals. 

The Fifth Cord presents a macho-deconstructionist role for Franco Nero and a progressive performance by Silvia Monti, as a divorced single mother. Ennio Morricone is on board with one of his many great scores. The final fifteen minutes are quite exciting, featuring a gripping chase and action-packed fight.

You can find my Giallo Feature Films Ranked list here.