SpuffyWeb Sadly Over-hyped

Baseshment I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

Helloturia I have absolutely never seen anything like this movie before. You have to see this movie.

Scarlet The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

Leofwine_draca BLACK BELLY OF THE TARANTULA is very much a typical example of the Italian giallo film. Expect style to spare, an intricate plot that draws in adultery, blackmail, and psycho killings, and a cast populated by sleazy and suspicious male characters contrasted with exceptionally beautiful Italian women. This one has a series of brutal and bizarre murders taking place around a health spa, with the killer donning rubber gloves and using an acupuncture needle to paralyse his victims before killing them - similar to the method used by a tarantula-killing spider. This isn't one of the nastiest of its type, but there's the usual nudity and character conflict; the lead is sympathetic and the stylish direction makes it an engaging watch, with a high-rise foot chase that takes place mid-way through particularly enjoyable. 3/5 or 6/10

Giallo Fanatic It was competently directed by Paolo Cavara and the movie had a solid script. The movie progressed smoothly without ever really having any parts that dragged on. The drama between the characters was interesting and immersing, embracing its viewer into its world pretty well. I felt like I was delicately spun into the movie by a spider. Which was kind of scary. The movie had atmosphere as well and a gripping tension. The movie's atmosphere wasn't as outrageous as Argento's "The Bird with the Crystal Plumage", but that is a good thing. Not all movie's have to feel the same way. But it made the movie less disturbing to watch since I did not feel any kind of dread or paranoia watching it as I did with Argento's movie. But the movie had a gripping tension nevertheless, which is pretty important in a thriller. Giancarlo Giannini did a solid performance as inspector Tellini. I felt empathy for his character, I could relate to him. It seems to be a hard job being an inspector, investigating murders without knowing whether you'll catch the murderer or not.The murderer's method of killing women was interesting, paralyze the victims first then kill them. But the murders themselves never really got that disturbing. Although they have a nice (poor choice of word really, "nice" is the last thing I would think of if a murderer was after me) setup. But it was still fascinating since it was strongly connected to the world of insects. I find insects fascinating. The great Ennio Morricone made atmospheric music. The music is almost always very important to the mood of the movie and it was well done. But it made the movie strongly resemble 'The Cat O'Nine Tails' mood wise, although that is not a bad thing. With all that in mind I would have given the movie 8/10 but the only thing that stops me from giving the movie 8/10 is because I figured out who the murderer was before it was revealed. I felt the twist was weird considering the solid plot and story. It was acceptable but not as solid in comparison to the rest of the script. It was not a let down or a disappointing twist, but it felt like there should have been more in it. But it should not be missed by devout aficionados of the genre. 7/10.

insomniac_rod One of the best early Gialli that offers the elements all we love from this sub-.genre in all of its glorious fashion. The atmosphere is fantastic and the script keeps you intrigued since the sexy opening. The death sequences are brutal and insane (all about the acupuncture technique to paralyze victims), and the dark tone of the film is perfectly displayed on screen. The fantastic performance of the Inspector, played by a very well known actor in this sub-genre, totally carries the weight of the film on his back. The only problem I find with the movie is the middle section of it, where it gets redundant and almost boring. However, it recovers near the climax.Die hard fans of the sub-genre will find amusing to notice "someone" really important from another fantastic Giallo, "The House of the Laughing Windows" (1978).

jockledoodledoo On the box of my (Blue Underground) DVD the quote "The best giallo ever made" shouts out from the back. Is it? No, not by a long shot, but still a very enticing little film - if a little over long in parts.As many others have touched on, I think the flaw in the lagging running time is down to one too many scenes focusing on the detective's domestic life, frankly these scenes are boring. The ending, as with many gialli, also falls somewhat flat - but then this does tend to be a typically style over substance genre.Bad bits, aside, what is good? There is plenty to love about this film; the brilliant cinematography, the menacing scene with a spider dangled over the detective, the horribly perverse gloves and menacing acupuncture needle of the killer. The music score is also one of Ennio Morricone's finest, and it certainly adds a decidedly chilling air to the film.Oddly, or not so, I was reminded of Aldo Lado's "Short Night of the Glass Dolls", also from 1971, also featuring Barbara Bach...and also with a strong theme of paralysis and murder. I'd say Lado's film carries the theme off with more aplomb - with it's truly horrific ending, so I'd advised all who've seen this to give that a go.