Tropic of Cancer (Al tropico del cancro) is an Italian giallo co-written and directed by Giampaolo Lomi and Edoardo Mulargia, released in 1972.

Synopsis

Dr. Williams has lived and practiced in Port-au-Prince for several years and is devoted exclusively to his work at the hospital. Behind his coverage as an impeccable and respected doctor, he is also a drug trafficker. An unflattering but very lucrative reputation. The scientist created a powerful hallucinogen with a high erotic content that allows the subject or the victim to explore, by entering a fantasy universe, his own spiritual desires or fantasies the most secret and incongurential.

Its exciting and intriguing creation is coveted by immoral people like Peacock, an obese and huge fortune paedophile from the island, or a certain Murdock, freshly arrived with his henchman.

But Williams does not want to sell his invention and, after hiding it, makes it appear that he has cleansed his past. Until the day when his old friend, Fred Wright, and his sublime wife Grace land on the island to spend their holidays in the sun.

But their stay turned into a nightmare when Williams’s two assistants were murdered. As whites kill each other to appropriate hallucinogenic drugs, Haitians practice voodoo rituals in public places. The climate on the island is increasing and becoming oppressive. As for Grace, under the influence of Williams’ invention, she discovers her desires buried to the sound of voodoo drums…

Data sheet

Original title: Al tropico del cancro
English title: Tropic of Cancer
Directed by Giampaolo Lomi and Edoardo Mulargia (credited under the pseudonym “Edward G. Muller”)
Editing: Cesare Bianchini
Music: Piero Umiliani
Photograph by Marcello Masciocchi
Production: Pino De Martino and Andrea Di Sangiuliano
Production and distribution company: 14 Luglio and Cinematografica S.r.l.
Country of origin: Flag of Italy Italy
Original: Italian
Format: colour
Like: Giallo
Duration: 90 minutes
Dates of release:
Flag of Italy Italy: 30 September 1972

Distribution

Anthony Steffen: Dr. Williams
Anita Strindberg: Grace Wright
Gabriele Tinti: Fred Wright
Umberto Raho: Philip
Alfio Nicolosi: Murdock
Stelio Candelli: Garner
Kathie Witt: Robin