What Have They Done to Solange?

What Have They Done to Solange? is a gripping Italian-German Giallo movie directed by Massimo Dallamano. Released in 1972, the movie incorporates a mix of mystery and horror, along with elements of suspense and drama. Known for its captivating plot and spine-chilling sequences, it stars Fabio Testi, Karin Baal, and Joachim Fuchsberger in leading roles, offering spectators memorable performances in an atmospheric film noir style setting.

The film's narrative gravitates around the character of Enrico Rosseni, masterfully portrayed by Fabio Testi. Rosseni is an Italian gym teacher working in an all-girls Catholic school in London. He is married to Herta (Karin Baal), a German woman, but embarks on an extramarital affair with his young student Elizabeth Seccles (Cristina Galbó). Despite having a secret, seemingly harmless relationship hidden from the prying eyes, Rosseni finds himself entangled in a series of gruesome, unexplainable occurrences that dismantle his seemingly steady life.

The story unfolds when one of Rosseni's students is brutally murdered. The mystery deepens when several other students from the same institution fall prey to this horrifying cycle. The methods of murder are nothing less than baffling, and the reason behind these horrifying killings remains shrouded in a heavy cloak of darkness and uncertainty.

Throughout the movie, Rosseni finds himself under increasing suspicion and even becomes a person of interest for the relentless and observant detective, Inspector Barth (Joachim Fuchsberger). Driven by his necessity to prove his innocence and find the actual perpetrator, Rosseni starts conducting his own investigation into the gruesome murders, leading him to a much deeper and darker secret that had long been buried in the heart of the educational institution.

Further adding to the intrigue, the movie portrays evidence of a conspiracy at the all-girls Catholic school. As Rosseni uncovers one unsettling clue after another, he gets closer to the shocking truth. The suspense and thriller elements of the movie are bolstered by subtle yet poignant commentary on societal taboos, ethics in education, and the apparent ideal of innocence in a corrupted society.

Testi's performance as the conflicted protagonist dominates the field, showcasing an uncompromising range of talent, followed closely by Karin Baal's convincing portrayal of Herta, the estranged wife battling her own demons. Fuchsberger convincingly plays a seasoned investigator, and his character adds to the entanglement of the movie's plot, giving it further depth.

What Have They Done to Solange? is lauded for its top-notch cinematography and chilling atmosphere. The gloomy ambiance coupled with an eerie soundtrack complements the narrative quite brilliantly, thus ensuring the viewer remains glued to their seat throughout the film's runtime, eagerly waiting to unravel the mystery.

The dread-inducing murder sequences in the film are amongst its standout elements, portrayed with enough detail to make your spine tingle yet showing restraint to avoid gratuitous violence. These sequences not only frame the severity of the crimes but also heighten the suspense, making you yearn for the revelation of the murderer and the motive.

Filled with unexpected turns and a well-paced narrative, What Have They Done to Solange? weaves an intricate tapestry of suspense, murder, and the exploration of some unsettling themes. Through this, the movie succeeds in achieving a balance between the thrills expected from a murder mystery and the provocative observation of the social issues that lie beneath its narrative surface.

Despite being categorized as a horror film, the movie offers much more than cheap adrenaline rush and jump scares. It builds on a profoundly disturbing narrative that focuses heavily on the plot development and character motifs. The intriguing storyline, strong performances by the leads, and director Massimo Dallamano's remarkably skilled storytelling, make the movie a classic in the Giallo genre.