Sylvia O'Neal is a successful model working in Milan. After the final shoot for a big ad campaign, Sylvia attends a party with some of the other models. Sylvia doesn't realize it, but she has caught the eye of an older, powerful man. She's doesn't realize that he will also be at the party or the party's real purpose. She refuses his advances, but she's not strong enough to fight off the other models. While they hold her, the man rapes her. Distraught, she leaves the party in a hurry only to be found burned to death in a car the following morning. It looks like an accident until the others at the party start turning up dead. And when the police discover Sylvia was shot through the head before the car crash, it's obvious a killer is on the loose.

The 70s were the heyday for the Italian giallo. So it's always nice to discover one made in the 80s, nevermind the late 80s, that's actually good. Too Beautiful to Die is a solid example of a latter day giallo. An unknown killer, a fantastically gruesome murder weapon, artistic touches (tracking shots and blue lighting),a boatload of beautiful women, and plenty of atmosphere - this one has all the elements you expect to find in a giallo. Too Beautiful to Die also features some of the best (or worst) of the 80s. The music, clothing, and hair - all from the 80s. The ad campaigns and music videos the women are working on are incredibly reminiscent of a Robert Palmer video. It's a visual straight out of the 80s. In fact, much of the movie is a bit like watching a string of 80s-era music videos strung together into a film. Plenty of style. Another plus for Too Beautiful to Die are the plot twists and turns you expect to find in a good giallo. There are plenty of clues and red herrings sprinkled throughout that will keep you guessing to the end. With about 20 minutes to go, I was sure I had things figured out. And while I was partially correct, the movie had one more curveball up its sleeve. Very nice. If it weren't for the poor explanation of the killer's motivation, a couple of slow spots in the screenplay, and some questionable acting, I could have easily rated this one higher. Still, it's a nice giallo that fans of the genre should seek out.

When I first noticed this movie in a local video store, I did not know what to think of it. Remembering many Italian movies of the late 80s also did not help much, because most of them are quite crappy. So, when I finally dared to watch the movie, I was very surprised realizing this movie as one of the few well crafted Non-Argento-Soavi-Gialli of that particular time period. The photography is very stylish, and the murders are gruesome enough to satisfy everyone´s wishes. As I read in another publication, the director worked before as a special effects technician and a director for commercials and music videos. Something you can clearly see in his direction. The whole movie has a nice 80s touch with music of Frankie goes to Hollywood, Huey Lewis and the News and Kissing the Pink. So check it out if you can.

The models of an agency are invited to a party by the owner of the agency, Alex. During the party, Alex is playing games in his computer and it looks like the girls have the house to themselves, but there's another guest…. and an accident happens - a fatal accident. This will start a string of murders - all those that were at that party begin to fall one by one. The police intervene, investigations are made, but the killer is like an elusive shadow….

"Too beautiful to die" (Sotto il vestito niente 2) is a giallo that uses successfully the aesthetics of music videos - there's a tasty blend of images and music. The film is atmospheric and the murder scenes are inventive and suspenseful. It's a treat for the eyes and ears – really gorgeous girls, flamboyant colors, good 80s music.

Highly recommended!

If you like bizarre gialli try "A taste for fear" by Piccio Raffanini, a strange mixture of giallo and science fiction - psychedelic colors, murders in a not so distant future, surreal and dreamy story. Recommended for those with adventurous tastes.