Man Without a Memory

Man Without A Memory

Genre: Giallo, Mystery

Original title: L' uomo senza memoria

AKA: Puzzle

Director: Duccio Tessari

Year: 1974

A man can't remember who he is and now thugs are after him for something he hid... and he doesn't know where it is, let alone what it is

Luc Merenda who is known mostly by Gialli fans for his role in Sergio Martino's Torso plays a man named Edward who has lost his memory in a near fatal car crash in London. He is linked back to his wife who lives by the coast in Italy by some bizarre circumstances. Other characters come into the picture and claim to know Edward but we can never be sure if what we are hearing is the truth. 

There are only six main characters in this film yet they are all well written & integral parts to this picture. Legendary Italian character actor Bruno Corazzari (who appeared in so many Italian productions in the 60s & 70s) plays a real menace & then there's Anita Strindberg who whilst isn't on screen a great deal plays a big part in moving this picture forward. Elsewhere there's a straight talking child actor who is pretty hilarious with his responses at times, a rarity for Gialli as quite often child actors can be incredibly annoying.

Man Without A Memory (more commonly known as Puzzle in most parts of the world) has Gialli elements but those who like their Gialli to have plenty of violence, blood & flesh may be disappointed. This picture decides to take it's time seeing out a well written script with some fleshed out characters. It's a slow burner, yet is always engaging & builds up nicely to a really explosive final few minutes with its thrills & reveals. An overlooked gem which is almost Hitchcockian in it's delivery.

Rating: 

★★★★

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