Blood Link is a German and Italian co-production; although it was clearly made for an American audience. The film has got itself in with the 'Giallo' style that had it's heyday in Italy during the seventies; although the reason for that is probably merely down to the fact that it's directed by Alberto De Martino; as despite some Giallo elements, I wouldn't call this film a Giallo on the whole. Blood Link is more of a psychological thriller that takes in themes relating to psychology and a psychic link between two people. Craig Mannings and his girlfriend are doctors trying to create a new way of exploring pain and dreams. Craig decides to test the new methods on himself but ends up finding a way into his presumed dead ex-Siamese twin brother's conscience. He discovers that his brother is living in Hamburg and murdering people; but this doesn't stop him from going to Hamburg and tracking him down. When he arrives in Hamburg, the killings continue until the inevitable meeting between the two brothers.
Michael Moriarty has had an interesting career; the highlight of which for me is his role in Larry Cohen's excellent 'The Stuff'. His performance here is not quite as over the top, but it is rather more impressive. Moriarty is not an obvious choice for the lead role in a film like this; but he fits into it excellently and makes both characters he plays very believable. The film is interesting throughout and several good ideas are explored; not least the idea of a psychic link between two brothers that used to share a physical link, but there's also some good ideas relating to the sexuality of the 'bad' twin. There's a few murders scenes; none of them particularly bloody or over the top but good enough and fitting within the movie. Cameron Mitchell's aging wrestler's character has a highlight scene in that respect. The film manages to stay interesting for the duration and it all boils down to a suitably dark and compelling conclusion. The premise of the movie is similar to David Cronenberg's later Dead Ringers; and while the latter is the better film, there's lots to like here and Blood Link is certainly worth a look.
Michael Moriarty has had an interesting career; the highlight of which for me is his role in Larry Cohen's excellent 'The Stuff'. His performance here is not quite as over the top, but it is rather more impressive. Moriarty is not an obvious choice for the lead role in a film like this; but he fits into it excellently and makes both characters he plays very believable. The film is interesting throughout and several good ideas are explored; not least the idea of a psychic link between two brothers that used to share a physical link, but there's also some good ideas relating to the sexuality of the 'bad' twin. There's a few murders scenes; none of them particularly bloody or over the top but good enough and fitting within the movie. Cameron Mitchell's aging wrestler's character has a highlight scene in that respect. The film manages to stay interesting for the duration and it all boils down to a suitably dark and compelling conclusion. The premise of the movie is similar to David Cronenberg's later Dead Ringers; and while the latter is the better film, there's lots to like here and Blood Link is certainly worth a look.