The Grim Reaper

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The Grim Reaper ★★★ La Commare Secca 1962

22-year-old Bertolucci directed his first feature with this grim and brutal treatment of the investigation of the murder of a prostitute, told via flashbacks and from the disparate perspectives of three people who knew the woman. A commercial bust, the critics were no kinder than the public at the time; not until two years later, with “Before the Revolution,” did Bertolucci earn his directorial spurs. The script was written by Pasolini, with whom the erstwhile poet had collaborated on “Accattone” the previous year (as assistant). In Italian with English subtitles. 100m/B VHS, DVD . IT Francesco Rulu, Giancarlo de Rosa; D: Bernardo Bertolucci; W: Pier Paolo Pasolini.

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