The ‘godfather of gore’ Lucio Fulci is certainly most famous for his gory Zombie flicks, such as “Zombi 2” (1979), “City of the Living Dead” (1980), or “The Beyond” (1980). Great films, of course, but, as far as I am concerned, his less widely known 70s Gialli are at least as memorable. Especially his 1972 masterpiece “Non Si Sevizia Un Paperino” aka. “Don’t Torture a Duckling”, easily Fulci’s greatest film, ranges among the greatest Italian Horror films ever made, and outshines all his Zombie flicks in a heartbeat. This earlier Giallo-outing by Fulci, “Una Lucertola Con La Pelle Di Donna” aka. “Lizard In A Woman’s Skin” (1971) is doubtlessly also a very intense, beautiful and creepy Giallo that impresses with a wonderfully uncanny, fever-dream-like atmosphere and a wonderful Florinda Bolkan in the lead. Yet I do not fully share the enthusiasm of some of my fellow Giallo-lovers, many of whom even seem to regard this as Fulci’s best. While “Lizard in a Woman’s Skin” is doubtlessly highly atmospheric and furthermore has an ingeniously convoluted plot, it does have its lengths, and, even in regards of atmosphere, it cannot possibly compete with “Don’t Torture a Duckling”, in my opinion.

Tormented by bizarre lesbian dreams about her seductive neighbor (Anita Strindberg), the respectable lawyer’s wife Carol Hammond (Florinda Bolkan) regularly visits a psychotherapist. One day, Carol tells the psychotherapist about a dream in which she murders the neighbor. Shortly thereafter, the neighbor is actually murdered, in the exact same manner that Carol has dreamt of… “Lizard in a Woman’s Skin” is a Giallo that delivers in almost all regards. It has a convoluted plot and certainly isn’t easy to predict. The cinematography is great, and the generally creepy, dream-like atmosphere is intensified by another ingenious score composed by maestro Ennio Morricone (the orchestra is conducted by another maestro, Bruno Nicolai). The film has a great ensemble-cast, especially Florinda Bolkan is brilliant in the lead. Bolkan is very beautiful and a great actress, and her performance here is just great. Anita Strindberg is mysterious and seductive in her role. The rest of the cast includes prolific characters such as Jean Sorel (as Carol’s husband), Leo Genn (as her father), and Alberto De Mendoza (as one of the investigating police inspectors). Even though there are only few killings for Giallo-standards, the film has some very gory scenes and genuine shock-sequences. The film is very suspenseful, but, as mentioned above, it is partly a bit confused and has its lengths in-between. All in all, this is a very good film, but I personally wouldn’t call it Fulci’s best. That title doubtlessly goes to the masterpiece “Don’t Torture A Duckling”, but the two films can hardly be compared due to the very different theme, style and setting. If there is one film I would compare “Lizard in a Woman’s Skin” with, it is probably Sergio Martino’s underrated “Tutti I Colori Del Buio” (aka. “All Colors of the Dark”, 1972), due to the psychedelic atmosphere and the confused female protagonist (though I personally preferred Martino’s film). “Lizard in a Woman’s Skin” provides a wonderful 70s feeling, with hippie-characters, orgies etc. Overall, “Lizard in a Woman’s Skin” is highly recommended to all Giallo-lovers, particularly those who appreciate a psychedelic atmosphere.