The Giallo Score Criteria
Herein lies the heart of the GialloScore experiment - a set of rules by which most Gialli adhere to. These criteria are completely arbitrary and subject to change at any time. For each rule, the more crucial it is to the classification of the genre, the higher its point value.
It's important to note that there are two criteria in the "Staples" section that award partial credit:
- Motivation: The killer should have a calculated, pre-meditated reason for committing murder. However, more points are awarded if the murders are emotionally motivated.
- Avoid Capture: No points are awarded if the killer is simply carted away by the police. An accidental death or suicide awards the most points, but partial credit is given if the killer is mortally wounded intentionally before the end of the film.
The "Signatures" section contains many point opportunities. Some Giallo have the potential to meet all of the criteria in this section, but no more than 10 points will be awarded here.
Staples - 60 points max
Italian Director - 10 points
The director must be Italian.
The director must be Italian.
Spanish Director - 5 points
The director must be Spanish.
The director must be Spanish.
Hidden Identity - 10 points
The identity of the killer must be hidden for as long as possible, usually until the last few minutes of the film.
The identity of the killer must be hidden for as long as possible, usually until the last few minutes of the film.
Black Gloves - 5 points
The killer should wear black gloves when committing a murder.
The killer should wear black gloves when committing a murder.
Ameteur Detective - 5 points
The identity of the killer should be pursued and/or discovered by someone other than the police.
The identity of the killer should be pursued and/or discovered by someone other than the police.
Classic Period (1970 - 1975) - 5 points
The release date of the film should be between 1970 and 1975
The release date of the film should be between 1970 and 1975
Pre-Classic Period (1968 - 1969) - 3 points
The release date of the film should be between 1968 and 1969
The release date of the film should be between 1968 and 1969
Motivation: Psychological Trauma/Revenge - 10 points
The killer's motivation should be based on a psychological trauma experienced in the past, or as an act of revenge.
The killer's motivation should be based on a psychological trauma experienced in the past, or as an act of revenge.
Motivation: Blackmail/Gain - 5 points
The killer’s motivation should be based on the need to silence a blackmailer or for monetary gain.
The killer’s motivation should be based on the need to silence a blackmailer or for monetary gain.
Avoid Capture: Acciental Death/Suicide - 10 points
After the final revelation, the killer should avoid capture/incarceration through accidental death or suicide.
After the final revelation, the killer should avoid capture/incarceration through accidental death or suicide.
Avoid Capture: Killed by Police or other character - 5 points
After the final revelation, the killer should avoid capture/incarceration through purposeful death committed by the police or other character.
After the final revelation, the killer should avoid capture/incarceration through purposeful death committed by the police or other character.
Director > 1 - 5 points
The director is credited with at least one Giallo preceding or following this one.
The director is credited with at least one Giallo preceding or following this one.
Standards - 30 points max
Body Count >= 3 - 4 points
The "body count" is at least three. This does not include the ultimate demise of the murderer or anyone accidentally killed while pursuing the murderer.
The "body count" is at least three. This does not include the ultimate demise of the murderer or anyone accidentally killed while pursuing the murderer.
Flashback Revelation - 3 points
A flashback scene is used when revealing the killer's identity or the motive.
A flashback scene is used when revealing the killer's identity or the motive.
Italian Location - 3 points
The majority of the films' events transpire in Italy.
The majority of the films' events transpire in Italy.
Mistaken Identity - 2 points
During the course of the film, the police identify the wrong person and the remaining characters are falsely led to believe that the threat of death has passed due to the capture or death of suspect.
During the course of the film, the police identify the wrong person and the remaining characters are falsely led to believe that the threat of death has passed due to the capture or death of suspect.
More than one killer or accomplice - 4 points
There is more than one person responsible for the murders or the primary perpetrator has at least one accomplice.
There is more than one person responsible for the murders or the primary perpetrator has at least one accomplice.
Morricone/Nicolai/Ortolani - 3 points
The soundtrack for the film is composed by Ennio Morricone, Bruno Nicolai and/or Riz Ortolani
The soundtrack for the film is composed by Ennio Morricone, Bruno Nicolai and/or Riz Ortolani
Nude Scene >= 1 - 3 points
There is at least one nude scene.
There is at least one nude scene.
Suspects >= 3 - 4 points
There are at least three suspects.
There are at least three suspects.
Urban Location - 4 points
The majority of the films' events transpire in an urban or heavily populated location.
The majority of the films' events transpire in an urban or heavily populated location.
Signatures - 10 points max
Airplane - 1 points
An airplane is shown landing or taking off at some point in the film.
An airplane is shown landing or taking off at some point in the film.
Animal, Number or "Death" in title - 1 points
The name of an animal, a number, or a derivative of the word "Death" is used in the title of the film.
The name of an animal, a number, or a derivative of the word "Death" is used in the title of the film.
Attend Funeral - 1 points
At some point in the film, the characters attend funeral services for one of the victims.
At some point in the film, the characters attend funeral services for one of the victims.
Bathtub Murder - 1 points
The killer uses a bathtub to commit a murder.
The killer uses a bathtub to commit a murder.
Car or Motorcycle Racing - 1 points
One of the characters in the film is a participant or a spectator at a car or motorcycle race.
One of the characters in the film is a participant or a spectator at a car or motorcycle race.
Chase scene - 1 points
The killer and one of the characters are involved in a chase on foot.
The killer and one of the characters are involved in a chase on foot.
Cheating - 1 points
One of the characters in the film is unfaithful to a spouse or other partner.
One of the characters in the film is unfaithful to a spouse or other partner.
City Map - 1 points
A large detailed map of the city where the murders are taking place is show in the office of the police or detective.
A large detailed map of the city where the murders are taking place is show in the office of the police or detective.
Comic Relief Character - 1 points
One of the characters serves the primary role of humor instead of murder victim or detective.
One of the characters serves the primary role of humor instead of murder victim or detective.
Death from Falling - 1 points
The killer or one of the victims dies from falling.
The killer or one of the victims dies from falling.
Dolls/Dummies - 1 points
Dolls or dummies are featured in the film.
Dolls or dummies are featured in the film.
Foreigner - 1 points
The “amateur detective” character is not citizen of the country where the murders are taking place.
The “amateur detective” character is not citizen of the country where the murders are taking place.
Gaslighting - 1 points
One of the characters in the film is purposely causing another to second guess their memories or grip on reality.
One of the characters in the film is purposely causing another to second guess their memories or grip on reality.
Gay/Lesbian - 1 points
One of the characters is gay or lesbian.
One of the characters is gay or lesbian.
Hippies Dancing - 1 points
A group of young people are shown dancing in a nightclub
A group of young people are shown dancing in a nightclub
J&B - 1 points
A bottle of J&B scotch is prominently featured. The label must be legible to qualify for the point.
A bottle of J&B scotch is prominently featured. The label must be legible to qualify for the point.
Odd Clue - 1 points
A clue to the murderer's identity hidden within, or associated with a piece of art or jewelry (e.g. Painting, Necklace, etc).
A clue to the murderer's identity hidden within, or associated with a piece of art or jewelry (e.g. Painting, Necklace, etc).
Peeping Tom - 1 points
A character who spies on others for sexual gratification is featured in the film
A character who spies on others for sexual gratification is featured in the film
Pathologist - 1 points
A pathologist is consulted by the police to help with the murder investigation.
A pathologist is consulted by the police to help with the murder investigation.
Pseudoscience - 1 points
A process which has no scientific validity (for the time period) is used to help identify the murderer.
A process which has no scientific validity (for the time period) is used to help identify the murderer.
Photography/Glamor/Modeling/Art - 1 points
The characters in the film engage in some sort of activity that can be considered artistic or creative.
The characters in the film engage in some sort of activity that can be considered artistic or creative.
Priest - 1 points
One of the characters in the film is a priest or someone pretending to be a priest.
One of the characters in the film is a priest or someone pretending to be a priest.
Prove Innocence - 1 points
The amateur detective pursues the killer in an effort to prove his/her own innocence.
The amateur detective pursues the killer in an effort to prove his/her own innocence.
Psychologist - 1 points
A psychologist is featured in the film, either to help identify the killer or explain the killer’s motive.
A psychologist is featured in the film, either to help identify the killer or explain the killer’s motive.
Roof Top - 1 points
Characters in the film are shown on the roof of a building
Characters in the film are shown on the roof of a building
Spiral Stairs - 1 points
A spiral staircase is featured at some point in the film.
A spiral staircase is featured at some point in the film.
Taunting - 1 points
The murder taunts the police and/or the victims with phone calls or letters.
The murder taunts the police and/or the victims with phone calls or letters.
Visual Misinterpretation - 1 points
A character witnesses an event that obscures the killer's identity and will "replay" the event in his/her mind in an attempt to discover the truth.
A character witnesses an event that obscures the killer's identity and will "replay" the event in his/her mind in an attempt to discover the truth.