La Commare Secca (1962)

La Commare Secca (1962) was Bernardo Bertolucci’s debut film. He directed and wrote La Commare Secca (The Grim Reaper) when he was only 21 years old. It’s not Citizen Kane but it’s a fine film — way better than most of the crap Hollywood is grinding out these days.

When a Roman prostitute is found dead, the usual suspects are rounded up and questioned by the police. A series of flashbacks explains where the suspects were at the time of the murder. But who is telling the truth?

The Criterion Collection DVD has a nice black and white transfer. There is also an interview with Bertolucci from 2003 that explains who he came to direct his first film while in his second year of university.

This is only the fourth Bertolucci film that I’ve seen. I’ll be checking Zip.ca to see what other titles they have on DVD.

Posted in DVD Reviews at 11:35 AM