The Washing Machine – Italian title: Vortice Mortale, translation: “Deadly Vortex” - is a 1993 French/Italian/Hungarian horror thriller directed by Ruggero Deodato (Cannibal Holocaust). It stars Philippe Caroit, Ilaria Borrelli and Katarzyna Figura. Claudio Simonetti provided the score.
Plot teaser:
A police detective investigates the murder of a man found dismembered in a washing machine and is drawn into a web of deceit and murder by the dead man’s lover, Vida, and her two sisters, Sissy and Ludmilla…
To date, The Washing Machine was Deodato’s last theatrical film. He is reportedly unhappy with the film and has since concentrated on TV work.
Buy The Washing Machine on Shameless DVD from Amazon.co.uk
UK sleeve design by Graham Humphreys, also available in a Limited Edition tin case.
Reviews:
“Overall, it’s a very entertaining murder mystery with a seedy element that works in its favour so if you liked the slick stylings of Basic Instinct but felt that it needed a bit more softcore sleaze then you’ll probably find The Washing Machine very much to your taste.” Deviant Robot
“The Washing Machine is no classic, mind you; there’s far too much narrative flab for that. Italian television writer Luigi Spagnol’s script piles on the intrigue, but it’s too rambling when it should be twisting the suspense screws; too unfocused when it should be razor sharp. Moreover, both he and Deodato can’t quite keep the pace going; it kicks off with a bang but peters out before ending with a nonsensical damp squib. There’s still plenty to enjoy though in this stylish and entertaining potboiler; it won’t convert anyone to the church of bloody Italian chills, but it’ll certainly satisfy the parishioners already worshipping within it.” UK Horror Scene
“It’s a decent last flick, as it’s quite entertaining, it’s got a good enough and engaging story, a fair amount of nudity and eroticism and a little nod at Deodato’s previous cannibal themed movies, which make it a great entry into the late thriller – post Gialli catalogue.” CiNEZiLLA
” …while there’s a lack gore (there’s really only one grisly scene – a bloodied torso gets repeatedly hacked at) and sex (there’s lots of heavy panting but the girls keep their knickers on), Deodato dresses his giallo with elements of high camp, while also making effective use (a la Argento) of the creaky old Art Nouveau Budapest apartment in which the twisted sisters reside.” Peter Fuller, Kult Guy’s Keep
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