Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

The film may be flawed, but its message is not.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

Mario Bava accepted make this movie because he needs money,he has a few time to do an did so fast that the movie was a bad review by critics. The Deaths itself didn't appear on any scenes, no blood at all...a sin to giallo's fans...so the picture falling down in theater....discovery later by new critics as new gem from Bava...to me only the gorgeous girl was save the movie...even an Mario Bava's movie!!!

George Stark (Teodoro Corrà), a wealthy industrialist, invites several business friends and their partners to his island retreat for the weekend, with the intention of convincing scientist Gerry Farrell (William Berger) to sell his secret formula for a new industrial resin. Philanthropist Gerry isn't interested in making a deal, intending instead to make his invention public, a fact that forces one or more of the guests to turn to murder.The general consensus seems to be that this is one of director Mario Bava's weakest efforts (even Bava himself was reportedly not fond of the film, being contractually obliged to direct); I can't really comment much on that since I've seen too few of his films to compare, but what I can say is that, even though I found the twists and turns of this Italian variation of Agatha Christie's Ten little Indians virtually impossible to fathom (especially the twist ending), there were still enough positives to make it worth a go.As with many a giallo, the female cast are very easy on the eye, with genre regular Edwige Fenech stripping off whenever possible as always. There are numerous murders, and although they all occur off-screen (we get to see just the aftermath), the hanging up of the steadily growing number bodies in a meat locker is wonderfully macabre and darkly amusing. The jazzy score is super cool, perfectly complementing the wonderful '60s/'70s architecture and decor of the island's house. And despite Bava's purported disinterest, there is still an unmistakable sense of style, with effective uses of whip-pans and rapid zooms, and at least one stunning scene worthy of a genius, wherein a display of glass balls roll down a spiral staircase, along the floor, and into a bathtub where a woman has committed suicide.All said and done, if this is his worst, I really must check out his best.

The luscious lady co-stars in this interesting effort from Mario Bava utilizing that old "Ten Little Indians" theme of a group of people being knocked off one at a time.The victims are a group of businessmen - arrogant upper crust jerks all - and their hottie companions who have gathered at an island mansion; the men are determined to make a scientist, Gerry Farrell (William Berger), divulge his formula for an industrial resin. They're willing to pay top dollar, and throw in their wives as bonuses. When he still won't do it, that's when the trouble begins...The movie is done in Bavas' typical artistic style with great use of colour and an effectively isolated setting. Another entertaining touch is the jazzy music score by Piero Umiliani. The scene with the bouncing marbles has to rank as a striking highlight. It's not as thickly atmospheric as Bavas' other efforts - for one thing, it takes place largely in the daytime. But it still has a respectably substantial body count, and the screenplay is just twist laden enough to make it intriguing. Although the viewer is likely to figure out one of the twists, they may not see all of them coming. One thing that really does help is the hilarious dark humour, as the bodies, one after another, are hung up in a meat locker.The acting from the cast is perfectly acceptable, including Maurice Poli as Nick, Howard Ross as Jack, and Teodoro Corra as George. The "five dolls" of the title are enticing and very easy to watch; Fenech sears the screen in a variety of provocative outfits, also appearing are Ira von Furstenberg as Trudy, Helena Ronee as Peggy, Ely Galleani as Isabel, and Edith Meloni as Jill.Ultimately, this isn't one of Bavas' best efforts - it's enjoyable and well made but one can sense something of a "throw away" quality about it. But you certainly could do worse. There is a certain appeal in seeing a variety of worthless greedy pricks receive their just desserts, and if nothing else "5 Dolls for an August Moon" is consistently amusing. It is somewhat refreshing to see a movie of this kind not be completely serious about itself.A good if not great giallo.Seven out of 10.

This plays out less like a giallo film and more like a simple murder mystery, or, to be unkind, an adult Scooby Doo episode that mated with Gilligan's Island.A group of acquaintances are staying together in a lovely villa while the men-folk discuss business. The business at hand involves a professor's new formula for an industrial resin that has the potential to make someone a lot of money. Several of the guys offer the professor million dollar checks for the formula, but he's not ready to sell out just yet. So, naturally, someone is just going to have to DIE! So, the only boat on the shore seems to have been set adrift, leaving the "friends and lovers" to figure out whodunit, and how to get home.If I recall, all of the death scenes are off-camera, and Bava is having some fun with music scores and dark comedy. As the bodies pile up, the still-living decide to wrap the corpses in plastic and hang each of them in the meat locker next to a massive slab of beef to swing to and fro on hooks to a strange musical ditty that seems to be the "Meat Locker Theme." There is some blood, but it's tame, and you'll probably realize by the way these people treat each other, even supposed spouses and lovers, that none of these jerks deserves to make it back alive. The worst aspect of the film is the unbelievability with which the remaining cast carries on their daily routines on the island knowing there is a killer among them. They barely act upset when someone dies. Oh, there may be some tears, but they get over it real quick! I enjoyed how Bava set up so many of the scenes from the exact same camera points in the house or on the beaches, but had different action taking place. I wouldn't recommend this for giallo fans, but if you like Italian thrillers or just Mario Bava in general, search this one out.