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"great thriller from lenzi"

Written By: Michael P. Dobey

People who have never seen this movie or many of umberto's lenzi's other movies from the seventies wouldn't expect that he was capable of true greatness in the thriller/horror/giallo genre. But this is one of the best giallos ever made. Lenzis last efforts were much weaker and after watching lets say 'black demons" people might dismiss Lenzi as average director only. They would be wrong! This movie is among the best giallos ever made. It's better than his really cool giallo 'eyeball" from 1975 and that is a must watch for giallo fans. This is the place where Lenzi was able to do everything right and this sits up at the top of the whole genre. The other reviewers can give the grit on this movie and they did a great job of that. So why throw in another review? Just to say that this movie proves that Umberto Lenzi did have moments of brilliance and this movie is well worth owning even if you don't collect lenzi movies.

"A Great Giallo from Umberto Lenzi"

Written By: J. B. Hoyos

I was very leery about watching "Seven Blood Stained Orchids," which was directed by Umberto Lenzi; the man responsible for directing several infamous cannibal gore fests. When the end credits rolled, I was quite pleased. "Seven Blood Stained Orchids" was a beautiful giallo with a beautiful cast of big name stars. Marisa Mell of Mario Bava's "Diabolik" played a dual role; she was the victim of the famous electric drill. Another victim was played by Marina Malfatti, a perennial giallo queen who also starred in "The Night Evelyn Came out of the Grave" and "The Red Queen Kills Seven Times." Antonio Sabato was eye candy for the ladies. "Seven Blood Stained Orchids," with its gorgeous psychedelic settings and trendy fashions, reminded me of a Dario Argento or Mario Bava movie. During most of the movie, all you could see of the killer was his trademark black gloves. The murders were bountiful and creative as they usually are in an Italian giallo. I am definitely adding "Seven Blood Stained Orchids" to my collection. It is on a par with any giallo that was directed by Dario Argento, Mario Bava, Lucio Fulci, or Antonio Margheriti. However, I was a little disappointed when the killer's identity was finally revealed. Thus I am only giving it four stars.

"nice giallo"

Written By: Jeffery Allen

mostly for fans of Giallo, B-movies, or Horror Junkies...Lenzi is a hack, but did alright with this film...

"Boring clichéd film"

Written By: Oslo Jargo

I wonder what film the other reviewers saw that they garner with such praise, this is a dull 'thriller' that doesn't have anything new to
offer. It is lacking in terror, music or even atmosphere and anyone
with half a brain can guess already who the killer is. It isn't really
even a "giallo" type film because it lacks anything pertinent to that
type. Lenzi meanders from point A to point B fairly rapidly, minus the
chills one normally gets from any "creepy moments" or sustained plot.
He has the boring clichs to "inform" the audience (a news station, a
car radio, talking about the murders). A routine everyman (Sabato) is
uninspired in the lead role, how the killer never managed to kill him
or the dumb waif he is protecting is beyond intelligence. The film
lacks excitement and therefore it is only "average", just barely at
that even. And be prepared for the biggest let down when the killer is
exposed.

"Medium quality giallo"

Written By: A. Griffiths

Director Umberto Lenzi is responsible for some of the most horrific gore movies from Italian cinema, but prior to all that he did turn out this good looking giallo. Fans of Lenzi - if anyone is brave enough to claim to be one after watching "Cannibal Ferox" or Nightmare City"- might find this movie to be rather more restrained than expected, but to be fair it does pre-date the splatter era by nearly a decade.

Following the well trodden formula of the genre, the plot sees a beautiful young woman hounded by a black-gloved killer, who wants to assassinate her as part of a mysterious vendetta against a group of seemingly random women. As usual, the police turn out to be more of a hinderance than a help, so she and her husband undertake their own investigations and the clues soon start pointing the way towards an explanation, but not before more victims start piling up. If that sounds familiar, well, sadly it is. Although this is a competent and good looking film, it runs so unwaveringly from the standard giallo template that it barely stands out from the many other examples around on DVD. Neither overly gory or particularly frightening, it is nevertheless full of stunningly beautiful women and lots of groovy early seventies fashions. The photography is also excellent, with many good widescreen compostions and luxuriant deep focus.

Sadly the mysterious title, and the murderers habit of leaving a metal talisman at the scene of each murder both sound pretty intriguing, but neither lead to anything very exciting in the plot revelations. Still, it does have a few good ideas, spicing up the plot by having two of the killers attacks foiled by unexpected circumstances. And a surprisingly brutal murder with an electric drill hints at the pathway both this genre and Lenzi himself were capable of going down in later years.

An enjoyable thriller, but not exceptional enough to stand out from the crowd. I wouldn't make this first choice for anyone new to the giallo genre