Blood Relatives

Donald Sutherland was one of the most interesting and intelligent actors of the 1970s with impressive roles in movie such as 'Klute', 'Steelyard Blues', 'The Day Of The Locust', 'Don't Look Now' and '1900'. But for some reason 'Blood Relatives' has disappeared into obscurity, despite being directed by acclaimed French New Wave figure Claude Chabrol, and featuring yet another fine Sutherland performance. Why this movie has been all but forgotten is difficult to explain. I really have no idea. But as I could EASILY list 100 other unfairly neglected movies off the top of my head it doesn't really surprise me. Anyway, this is a very well made mystery thriller which kept me fascinated throughout. Sutherland is great, the three young leads (who include Lisa Langlois later of trash classic 'Class Of 1984'!) are all very good, plus we get the wonderful David Hemmings ('Blowup'/'Barbarella'/'Profondo Rosso'), and a brilliant cameo from Donald Pleasence ('THX 1138'/'Halloween') as a creepy paedophile. 'Blood Relatives' is recommended to mystery buffs and Sutherland fans.

When Patricia Newell is attacked after witnessing her cousin's murder,Detective Carrella searches the city for her killer.Identifying the murderer after an intensive manhunt,Patricia is sent to live with relatives in the country.For Carrella the case is closed...or is it?"Blood Relatives" is an overlooked masterpiece.Donald Sutherland plays a cop and it's nice to see Donald Pleasance in a small role as a child molester.The conclusion is pretty disturbing.Still "Blood Relatives" is more of a mystery than a horror film,so fans of gore will be disappointed.A must-see for fans of old-fashioned mystery movies.9 out of 10.

Considered by many to be a strangely overlooked Chabrol it seems to me the reason it has been cold shouldered is its sleaze factor. Not as overtly sexy, violent or gory as many films of this period it nevertheless starts rather startlingly and although becoming more measured continues to ooze a rather unpleasant odour. Ms Audran, not here the ice maiden but a drunken mother, Donald Pleasence does a cameo as a child molester, David Hemmings has his eyes on underage sex and the central theme involves the relationship between a brother, sister and niece. No not very nice at all and Chabrol treats it all as if it is very normal (like it might be in some small French village!) instead of Ed McBain's New York City. Had this been treated in a more sensational manner then it would have been a more acceptable but lesser film. Here we really have to choose between the likelihood of various unpleasant options before the final denouement. Very watchable

This oppressively creepy, sinisterly slashing, bone-fizzingly grim, Canadian-set murder mystery remains a darkly fascinating delight, so be sure to check it out if you dare to descend deep into the diabolically degenerated mind of one especially deviant killer!!! And nae bad it is too! (Personally, I'm rarely bored by murder maestro Claude!) Alongside the uber-talented character actor Donald Sutherland it also stars terror icon Donald Pleasence, sublimely gifted Gallic dream Stéphane Audran, and Deep Red's stilleto cool David Hemmings! Based on a popular crime novel by Ed McBain, Claude Chabrol's finely wrought, consistently engaging, impressively acted thriller is regarded by many cult film fans to be one of the very best McBain adaptations!

A relatively interesting little mystery murder, the film is okay viewing despite some sections being dull and not lively. It is, however, surprisingly acted mundanely despite some great names in the cast, but the film does have enough going for it as it is. The music score used in the English version (the dubbed French version has a completely different soundtrack) is great, bouncy in bits and almost always adding to the action. Chabrol also sets up some great shots, and there are a few chilling moments to be had along the way. It is overall nothing too special of its type, but of its type, it is certainly a solid entry.