'The Bloodstained Butterfly (1971)' is a quite unconventional. It's part Giallo thriller, part pseudo-Poliziotteschi procedural and part courtroom drama. It also doesn't really have a protagonist, rather a set of characters who are all introduced at the beginning - via title cards announcing their names - in a way that gives them equal weight and doesn't hint towards which ones will actually remain important (or alive) throughout the entire narrative. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, though it does make the initial portion of the movie feel a little bit messy. Because you're always sort of scrambling to figure out who you should root for, you're always on your toes. Nobody's really a 'good guy' here, either, and that helps to solidify this sense of, if you will, evolving audience-to-character alliances. When everything is underway, it's a rather compelling and convincing little thriller. The plot is filled with surprising reveals, many of which are thanks to its flashback-filled nature and the fact that it always plays its cards pretty close to its chest. A lot of it does rely quite heavily on exposition, but it's typically interesting enough to keep you engaged for its duration. This engagement is also enhanced by the picture's fantastic direction, which makes excellent use of unexpected angles and interesting shot compositions. The music combines with the visuals to create some really atmospheric sequences, too. Ultimately, this is a solid thriller with an unpredictable plot and stylish direction. It's occasionally a little dry, but it's usually engaging and enjoyable. 7/10.
Review of The Bloodstained Butterfly
