In the Folds of the Flesh (1970)

In the shadowy corners of an antique castle, housekeeper Lucille, her nephew Colin, and the landlord's daughter, Falaise, construct a macabre tableau. Visitors to the imposing villa are systematically slain by the unholy trio and their remains disappear into the castle's subterranean depths. Falaise, tormented by the belief that she murdered her own father André, is haunted by his spectral presence. This chilling tale takes a dramatic turn when a stranger arrives, claiming to be André, his face altered by surgery. In truth, he's a police inspector, determined to unravel the castle's blood-soaked secrets. The castle's grim reality is unveiled: Falaise is Esther, Lucille's daughter, and the trio has been dispatching any who come too close, burying the sins of a past awash with deception and horror. Thirteen years prior, a band of felons targeted Mr. Gardère, the previous owner, who narrowly escaped death. Lucille orchestrated his supposed demise at sea, claiming the castle as her own. On that dreadful night, Falaise was assaulted by the would-be killer, who she mistook for her father, triggering a cycle of violence. Esther and Falaise reel in shock, each grappling with their own distorted truths. Esther, entangled in an imagined bond, began eliminating any man who bore resemblance to her perceived father. Falaise, overwhelmed by the revelations, is committed to a mental institution. Colin, suffering from his own psychological disturbances, is manipulated by Lucille, the true puppeteer of this grim charade. Lucille, in fact, was the architect of Gardère's murder and the lover of his attempted assassin. She silenced him, expunging the memories of the miserable three and eradicating her co-conspirators. The climax sees Falaise reclaiming her ancestral castle. Esther and Colin are apprehended, their murderous spree halted. Lucille, her wickedness laid bare, meets her tragic end, succumbing to the lethal embrace of cyanide vapors. This twisted tale of a castle steeped in blood and deceit leaves an indelible mark, a chilling reminder of the sinister secrets that can lurk in the folds of the flesh.

In the Folds of the Flesh is a drama movie featuring Eleonora Rossi Drago and directed by Sergio Bergonzelli.

In the Folds of the Flesh is currently streaming on Fandor Amazon Channel.