Murder to the Tune of the Seven Black Notes (1977) (aka Sette Note In Nero)
Aka The Psychic

Dir. Lucio Fulci

Starring Jennifer O’Neill, Marc Porel, Gianni Garko, Gabriele Ferzetti, Evelyn Stewart (Ida Galli)

Virginia Ducci (Jennifer O’Neill) suffers from bizarre psychic episodes that have haunted her since childhood. The latest of these features strange, seemingly unconnected images: a hole in a wall, a broken mirror, blurred red lights and a dead old woman. Having recently just married she decides to take a look at her husbands country house for the first time, with a view to renovating it for him, only to be shocked to discover that the house is somewhat familiar to her. Exploring the house further she discovers a room that is identical to the one in her visions and is compelled to take a pick axe to the wall, discovering the skeletal remains of a woman behind the brickwork. With the police now on the case Virginia tells them of her visions but is met with ridicule and so turns to her Para-Psychologist friend Luca Fattori (Marc Porel). He has a more understanding ear and is intrigued by her story.
With her husband now under arrest for the murder and the police not interested in her protests of her husband’s innocence, Virginia takes it upon herself to try and unravel the mysteries behind her visions and uncover the true murderer.
A rare treat from Lucio Fulci, a Giallo on a par with Argento or Bava’s work. The script is well written by Dardano Sachetti and Fulci with a very tight and intricate story that unwinds right up to the very end without the usual multiple red herrings and crazy plot twists to be found in most other ‘Gialli’. Fabio Frizzi delivers one of his most effective scores that builds up tension in all the right places and has a hint of what’s to come in later Fulci collaborations such as The Beyond (1981). The cast are all great most notably Jennifer O’Neill who not only is convincing as the troubled Virginia but looks gorgeous to boot! Marc Porel also turns in a good performance as psychologist Luca Fattori.

Also great to see 'Queens Of Evil's Evelyn Stewart (Still looking great!) as Virginia’s bitchy sister in-law Gloria - “I’ve had 56 lovers and never killed any of them” ...
One of Fulci’s most accomplished films ‘Muder to The Tune of The Seven Black Notes’ has almost no gory set pieces, so the hardened Fulci fan who has been brought up on a steady diet of gut munching Zombies or chainsaw wielding nutters should approach with an open mind. For anyone who likes nothing better than a good, slow burning, mystery you can’t go far wrong with this.

Jonny
Many thanks to Marc Morris and the Mondo Erotico archive for the original VHS cover artwork.
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