THE NEW YORK RIPPER
Director: Lucio Fulci
Year: 1982
Original / Alternate Titles: Lo Squartatore di New York, Psycho Ripper
Rating: UR
Running Time: 93 minutes (unrated version), 85 minutes (US cut version)
Description: This is one of the more infamous gialli out there; mostly for the extreme gore value (as is often Fulci’s trademark) and the perceived misogynism running rampant in this film. And TNYR’s reputation is well deserved.
TNYR follows Lt. Fred Williams (Jack Hedley) and his “profiler,” a college professor named Dr. Paul Davis (Paolo Malco), as they attempt to track down a serial killer operating in New York. The killer provokes his pursuers, as he calls Lt. Williams and speaks to him in a Donald Duck-like voice. “You’ll never understand me! You’re too stupid,” the killer taunts.
TNYR features some of the more brutal violence seen in the giallo genre. One of the first killings is a close up of a woman’s torso, as a switchblade slices her open. Another victim is stabbed in the crotch with a broken bottle, while another has her nipple cut in half (and you wonder how this film was labeled misogynistic?) So be prepared if you intend to view TNYR, for there will be no easy ride here, buddy.
There are other good reasons to label this film misogynistic, and I have to agree with those critics that label it so. While many gialli have women as the exclusive victims (and often are even more specific, killing just prostitutes or lesbians…), TNYR just treats the female characters like shit.
Even though there are so many ugly aspects to TNYR, I still really enjoy this film. The murder mystery is great, and even unresolved – Fulci shows you the killer, but then throws a little curveball saying “oh, by the way, it could have been this guy, too” – and the film has Fulci’s style. Many would say Fulci’s “style” is just a bunch of tits and gore, and while TNYR contains such, this is not what I am talking about. Fulci takes us to the peep shows and back alleys of early 80’s New York City, and you can feel the grime on the lens. This is a dirty, dirty film, and through TNYR’s lighting, camera work, and of course the previously mentioned tits and gore, the viewer FEELS dirty by the time the movie is over. At least this viewer did.
4 out of 5 Crazy-Voiced Killers
DVD Available from Anchor Bay
The New York Ripper for sale at Amazon.com
