The ending of The Bird with the Crystal Plumage (1970), directed by Dario Argento, is a quintessential example of the giallo genre's blend of psychological intrigue and shocking twists. Here's a breakdown of the key events and their significance:
In the climactic sequence, Sam Dalmas (Tony Musante), an American writer living in Rome, finally unravels the mystery of the serial killer terrorizing the city. Throughout the film, Sam has been haunted by his memory of witnessing an attempted murder at an art gallery, where he saw a woman being attacked by a man in a trench coat. However, as the story progresses, it becomes clear that his recollection of the event is flawed.
The pivotal twist reveals that Monica Ranieri (Eva Renzi), the woman who appeared to be the victim in the art gallery, is in fact the killer. Her husband, Alberto Ranieri (Umberto Raho), has been helping her cover up her crimes by staging murders and attempting to silence Sam when he got too close to the truth. Monica’s psychosis stems from a traumatic incident years earlier, when she was sexually assaulted. This event triggered a deep hatred of men and a compulsion to kill, symbolized by her fixation on a particular modernist painting of a woman being attacked—a piece she owns and which seems to have deeply influenced her.
Sam’s memory of the attack at the gallery turns out to have been reversed. What he initially perceived as a man attacking Monica was actually Monica attacking another woman, with Alberto trying to stop her. This misinterpretation underscores one of the film's central themes: the fragility and subjectivity of perception. Argento plays with the audience's and Sam's assumptions, using the art gallery's distorted mirrors and angles to confuse reality.
The truth comes to light when Sam revisits the clues and confronts Monica in a tense final showdown. As she tries to kill him, her psychological instability becomes apparent. Her murderous tendencies are ultimately explained as the result of her unresolved trauma, though the film resists fully excusing her actions, leaving a morally ambiguous conclusion typical of giallo.
The titular "bird with the crystal plumage" is a rare species whose call ultimately helps lead Sam to the killer's location. This bird, housed in a nearby aviary, was previously mentioned by an ornithologist who explained its unique origin, connecting it to a rural estate where Monica and Alberto have been hiding. The bird serves as both a literal and symbolic clue, representing the exotic and elusive nature of truth in the film.
The film ends on a note of resolution but also disquiet. Monica is subdued, and her crimes are exposed, but the psychological toll on everyone involved lingers. Sam and his girlfriend, Julia (Suzy Kendall), prepare to leave Italy, but their harrowing experience underscores the fragility of perception and the lasting impact of violence.
Themes and Implications
- Perception vs. Reality: The film continually questions the reliability of what is seen and remembered. Sam's initial misinterpretation of the gallery attack exemplifies how easily appearances can deceive.
- Psychological Trauma: Monica's backstory highlights how trauma can manifest in destructive ways. Her obsession with the violent painting reflects her inner turmoil, linking art and reality in a way that underscores the giallo genre's fascination with the intersection of beauty and horror.
- The Role of Art: The modernist painting that fascinates Monica symbolizes the distorted lens through which she views the world, blending the film's themes of violence and subjective reality.
The ending of The Bird with the Crystal Plumage is a masterclass in giallo storytelling, blending psychological depth with a gripping narrative twist. It leaves the audience questioning their own assumptions and grappling with the interplay of trauma, art, and perception. As Sam and Julia walk away from the chaos, they—and the audience—are left haunted by the fragility of truth and the lingering shadows of violence.