Scott LeBrun This solid and enjoyable if unremarkable Giallo from director Antonio Margheriti has quite the titillating title, but it's a bit of a misnomer. People hungry for something really sleazy will be sorely disappointed. Only one person dies while naked, and that's right at the beginning. Also, some viewers won't appreciate the lack of explicit gore and nudity.At least "Naked You Die" has a decent story. It's fairly uncomplicated, and easy to follow, although it is also, in the end, pretty predictable. It benefits from a typically lovely and engaging cast of ladies. Another bonus is the presence of familiar faces Mark Damon ("House of Usher" 1960) and Michael Rennie ("The Day the Earth Stood Still" 1951). And fans of Italian cinema will be pleased to have Luciano Pigozzi, a.k.a. Alan Collins, a.k.a. "The Italian Peter Lorre", on hand as a creepy gardener.A mysterious psycho kills a woman, and has her body sent to the distant St. Hilda's School for Girls. Soon, they'll be running amok at this place, and the girls will live in terror until the police (led by Mr. Rennie) turn up.All things considered, this is an entertaining thriller, with very nice widescreen photography by Fausto Zuccoli. The music by Carlo Savina is sometimes good, but at other times it's hilariously inappropriate, sounding more like something you'd hear in a James Bond adventure. The dialogue can be very silly on occasion. Performances are good, with Sally Smith a standout as Jill. Jill is an aspiring novelist with an overactive imagination, a perfect character for such a story. Some viewers may find her annoying, but this viewer thought that she was charming. Eleonora Brown is a fine heroine, Damon is likable, and Rennie has a very calming presence that adds a great deal to this film.As long as people are aware ahead of time not to let the title get their hopes up, they can have a good time with this one.Seven out of 10.

Witchfinder General 666 Titles can be misleading. Antonio Margheriti's "Nude... Si Muore" (aka. "Naked You Die"/"Schoolgirl Killer") is NOT the exploitative and blood-soaked Giallo full of sleaze and nudity one might expect from its title. Sure, the film was made in 1968, at which time the Italian Giallo had not reached the sleaze and violence level it obtained in the early 70s, but the title "Naked You Die" still promises nastiness, especially in the wonderful Giallo-genre. What "Nude... Si Muore" is, however, is a superbly set, beautifully shot and atmospheric Giallo that sets its focus on the mystery, more than on the Horror elements. Yet I cannot deny that the film did just not quite reach my (very high) expectations. For two reasons, that is. First off, I am a great fan of the late genius director Antonio Margheriti. His brilliant Gothic masterpiece "Danza Macabra" (aka. "Castle Of Blood", 1964, with the wonderful Barbara Steele, my favorite actress, in the lead) is a personal favorite of mine, and many of his other films, such as "La Vergine Di Norimberga" ("Terror Castle", 1963) are also excellent films that every Horror fan must see. Secondly, this film was recommended to me by a fellow Giallo-buff as being particularly great and atmospheric. And atmospheric it is, and doubtlessly a very good thriller, but, as far as I am considered it is not a particularly impressive film within my beloved Giallo-sub-genre.A posh boarding school for girls from rich families is being stalked by a killer. Several new teachers have arrived, and, naturally, everybody is a suspect... The performances are quite good, the cast includes well known faces for fans of Italian genre-cinema, such as Mark Damon ("I Tre Volti Della Paura") and regular cult-cinema actor Luciano Pigozzi, who, among many other films, often had supporting roles in Mario Bava's films. Beautiful Elonora Brown stars in the lead, sadly it is the last role the then 20-year-old actress has played up to date. The girls are entirety pretty, and I also found the actresses' performances quite good. The film's most memorable qualities are the superb and beautiful setting and ingenious camera work, intensified by a funky and great score by Carlo Savina. What (slightly) annoyed me at times was the constant attempt of bringing in (very cheesy) humor. Also, the mystery part could have been a little more complex. Overall, "Nude... Si Muore" has some flaws, but it is supremely shot, highly atmospheric and very entertaining, and a film that my fellow Giallo-buffs should enjoy. Recommended.

rstef1 Lame and bloodless giallo from director/writer Antonio Margheriti a/k/a Anthony Dawson. Though based on a story by the great Mario Bava, the film plays out more like a Nancy Drew mystery than a proper giallo. It's competently filmed and directed, but lacks any of the sense of foreboding and danger present in other, better movies of the genre.A bunch of girls at a boarding school are stalked by a mysterious killer. This actually makes it sound way better than it is. I've seen the uncut 98 minute version and there is no blood, nudity, sex or violence. What is giallo for??? The closest we come to a good murder is when the sweaty, perv of a handyman gets a sickle in the stomach. We don't get to see the actual kill, only the sickle protruding from his middle a bit later.The movie teases us with shots of women in the bathtub and the shower, but conceals their nudity, which is quite the cheat as some of the women are quite lovely. Unfortunately, the characters they play are stupid and obnoxious. I was hoping the killer would get them all, but he only strangles two of them and tries to drown a third. The stranglings are especially laughable, he barely gets his hands around their necks when they fall down dead.In typical giallo style, the ending makes little sense. Michael Rennie is on hand to little effect, he looks confused most of his screen time. The killer's explanation as to how he intends to fool the police and get away with his crimes is absurd beyond words. You'll be able to see the failed logic behind it even if this is your first murder mystery. Better to stick with Argento.

John Creepy Italian horror mystery very much like an early Dario Argento film with mad killer stalking a girls posh school. Well photographed and very atmospheric. Killer is a surprise (but follow the clues!) Never released on VHS or DVD. I saw this as a kid in 1968, never saw it again but it vividly stuck in my mind.