The Weapon, the Hour, the Motive is an Italian film from 1972, directed by Francesco Mazzei and starring Luigi Pistilli, Corrado Pani, and Anita Strindberg. The film is a classic giallo, a specific genre of Italian horror/thriller films, that typically involves a mystery with elements of crime and horror. Much like other giallo films, The Weapon, the Hour, the Motive is marked by its stylized violence, suspenseful music, and use of bright colors.
The film opens with the murder of Don Giorgio, a charismatic young priest and teacher in a convent. Don Giorgio is involved in relationships with two different women - Orchidea, a schoolgirl, and Giulia, a maid at the convent - and it's soon clear that his infidelity is the motive for his death. After his murder, Giulia is also killed in a brutal fashion, her throat slashed in her own home.
Enter Inspector Boito, a self-assured detective who becomes embroiled in the case, especially after he falls in love with Orchidea and plans to marry her. However, as he investigates further, he discovers that Orchidea is not as innocent as she seems. There are many suspects, and the main key to solving the case seems to lie with Ferruccio, a young boy who has been diagnosed with mental illness and is kept locked up and drugged. Ferruccio witnessed one of the murders, and Boito must try to get him to reveal what he knows. But will anyone believe a young boy who's been labeled as insane?
The Weapon, the Hour, the Motive is a tense and atmospheric film that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. The twisty plot and complex characters will keep audiences guessing until the very end, and the film's unique style ensures it stands out in the horror/thriller genre. While it may be too violent or unsettling for some viewers, fans of giallo films will appreciate its blend of mystery, horror, and suspense.
