A HYENA IN THE SAFE (1968) Cesare Canevari directs!
4509DVD
original Italian title UNA JENA IN CASSAFPRTE [A Hyena in the
Safe]
director: Cesare Canevari
starring:
Marie Luise Greisberger · Dimitri Nabokov · Cristina Gaioni · Ben Salvador
· Karina Kar
Four
notorious bank robbers - Klaus from Germany, Albert from France, Juan
from Spain and Carina from Tangiers - meet at an isolated Castle in
Italy to divide a large number of diamonds stashed there by their former,
now deceased, boss Boris whose wife Anna is hosting the 'party.' Unfortunately,
the gems are kept in a massive, unpenetratable safe that can only be
opened with all five of the keys which Boris had given to his colleagues
after the heist. However, French guy Albert doesn't have his key. This
obviously upsets everybody. They're also agitated because he brought
his sexpot girlfriend Jeanine along. Very soon, this 'weekend with
criminals' becomes very explosive through greed, betrayal, mistrust
and sexual tension.
Reminiscent
of 24
HOURS OF TERROR and NINE
GUESTS FOR A CRIME, this one adds a heavy dose of '60s psychedlia
to the potent mix. The result is extraordinary! In many ways - especially
in style and visuals - this movie is similar to Mario Bava's FIVE
DOLLS FOR AN AUGUST MOON (although this one was made two years
prior). It is the debut film for director Cesare Canevari who would
helm 10 motion pictures during Italy's Golden Period (1965-85). Just
after this one, he made IO
EMANUELLE with Erika Blanc, followed by the eccentric Spaghetti
Western MATALO.
In 1976, his films turned sleazier with Ajita Wilson's NUDE
PRINCESS, then the over-the-top Nazi atrocity film LAST
ORGY OF THE THIRD REICH and lastly KILLING
OF THE FLESH. Mr Canevari died from natural causes in October
2012 at age 85.
Lead
actress Marie Luise Greisberger made this movie and disappeared. Although
she received praise and notoriety for this role, she resigned from show
business and retired to parts unknown. The other notable actress here
is blonde bombshell Cristina Gaioni. She began her career in 1959 at
age 19, co-starring in a variety of B-Films and Peplums until her break
in 1965's NIGHT
OF VIOLENCE. The next decade would be a good one for Ms Gaioni
[sometimes credited as Cristina Gajoni] with 25+ films including cult
favorites like WOMEN
IN CELLBOCK 7, FLESH
FOR FRANKENSTEIN, Sergio Begonzelli's Spaghetti Western CISCO
and Rino Di Silvestro's PROSTITUZIONE.
Ms Gaioni retired in 1991.
An
Italian film, with English subtitles; widescreen format,
89 minutes, encoded for ALL REGIONS NTSC,
playable on any American machine; Extras include original Euro trailer.
Violence/Sexual
Brutality/Crime/Nudity
For Adult Audiences
