What Have They Done To Your Daughters? (1974) - Review of the Blu-ray Edition

      What Have They Done To Your Daughters?, 1974.

      Directed by Massimo Dallamano.

      Starring Giovanna Ralli, Claudio Cassinelli, Mario Adorf, Franco Fabrizi, Farley Grange.

      SYNOPSIS:

      A police inspector and a district attorney look into the apparent suicide of a teenage girl, only to uncover a much darker truth. *What Have They Done To Your Daughters?* is a sinister and complex mystery thriller that blurs the lines between giallo and poliziotteschi, exploring the grim reality of child prostitution. Given that it was produced in Italy during the 1970s, the premise suggests a film that could leave viewers feeling the need for a cleansing shower afterward.

      Yet, despite tackling such provocative themes, this Italian film from the ‘70s is unexpectedly restrained and, for lack of a better term, sophisticated within the giallo genre. However, fans need not worry, as there is ample content one might expect from such films. Director Massimo Dallamano navigates these elements with care to maintain an acceptable level of sleaziness considering the subject matter.

      The film opens with police – led by Inspector Valentini (Mario Dorf) and newly appointed district attorney Vittoria Stori (Giovanna Ralli) – bursting into a room where a naked 15-year-old girl has seemingly hanged herself. But was it truly suicide? Further investigation suggests she might have been positioned there by someone else, as the autopsy sensationally reveals “..traces of sperm in the vagina, the anus, and the stomach.”

      Once the girl's identity is confirmed, a disturbed Valentini, who has a teenage daughter, hands the case over to Inspector Silvestri (Claudio Cassinelli). When Silvestri interrogates the girl's boyfriend, he finds him to have a watertight alibi due to his recent underground spelunking activities. As a result, the investigation broadens to uncover who else the girl had been involved with. Before long, Silvestri and Stori find themselves immersed in a case that unveils an underground child sex ring and leads to a killer adept with a meat cleaver.

      The rest of the film centers on these two main characters (and a few colleagues) as each lead they chase uncovers more, putting them in the crosshairs of a motorcycle-riding maniac wielding a cleaver, dressed in black leather, and unconcerned about the havoc caused. While the film is mostly restrained, it delivers sufficient violence as the narrative demands, showcasing splattered blood, shattered skulls, and one unfortunate character who has all his fingers sliced off while flipping a light switch. One scene depicts a victim being mutilated, with his wife later identifying him by his severed body parts in the morgue.

      However, the gore is not the primary controversy here; rather, the delicate topic of child exploitation takes center stage, which is thoughtfully addressed. The film's visual portrayal of its darker themes is limited to the hanging girl’s body, which is evidently a mannequin and not a living person, and this scene is quickly critiqued by D.A. Stori after the media publishes the image, stating it was inappropriate to display her naked form. All other references to sexual abuse are conveyed audibly, with police listening to recordings of old men instructing their victims. This approach remains unsettling but suffices without needing graphic displays of the events occurring out of sight.

      While some filmmakers of the era might have opted for more explicit content, Massimo Dallamano –known for his skills as a cinematographer– intentionally avoided it, showcasing his directorial prowess in alternative ways. *What Have They Done To Your Daughters?* is beautifully shot, featuring excellent framing and effective use of handheld cameras.

      The climax of *What Have They Done To Your Daughters?* may not provide the explosive ending one might anticipate based on its suspenseful buildup, but it does offer a surprisingly upbeat score for a giallo film. As is common in such films, political and social themes subtly emerge within the script – Inspector Silvestri often reminds D.A. Stori of her gender, although this dynamic shifts after she corrects him, leading to a mutual chemistry. Audiences can choose to overlook these undertones and simply engage with the story presented. Ultimately, what viewers receive is a thrilling and tense Euro-crime feature that addresses its challenging subject matter with a degree of care, suggesting some effort was made behind the scenes to create something substantive rather than purely exploitative, which ultimately pays off.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★

      Chris Ward