black sunday (a.k.a the mask of satan) (1960)
Before being put to death by her brother for her sorcery, Asa (played by Barbara Steele) curses her brother's descendants, claiming that the family will suffer for what they have done. Before she is burned at the stake, a metal mask with spikes is gruesomely nailed into her face. 200 years later, Asa's tomb is disturbed and she awakes as an immortal vampire ready to keep her cursed promise. Although Asa terrorizes the town, transforming into other characters and draining the blood of victims, she has a weakness for the cross. With the help of priest and a mob of villagers, Asa is rightfully returned to the flames of hell leaving a surviving descendant and a broken curse.
Regarded as a masterpiece of Italian horror, Black Sunday launched the horror careers of both Bava and Steele. Bava noted that Black Sunday "was the only one of my films which was really well done, all shot with a dolly which, because of time and money involved, isn't used anymore." The black and white homage to Gothic horror pushed the envelope for violence at the time, earning various cuts and an eight year ban in England. The American version removed 3 minutes of gore from the film, by trimming the famous hammering of the mask, and the crucifix in the eye. The film's box office and critical success garnered much attention to the Italian horror scene, especially Bava whose cinematography was lauded for creating an atmosphere that shared traits from the classic monster movies, while also infusing graphic violence that would become a trope of subsequent Hammer films.
Director: Mario Bava
Writers: Ennio De Concini, Mario Serandrei
Cast: Barbara Steele, John Richardson, Andrea Checchi
Running Time: 87 minutes
Year: 1960
Studio: Galatea Film
Black Sunday Retrospective: Click Here
Regarded as a masterpiece of Italian horror, Black Sunday launched the horror careers of both Bava and Steele. Bava noted that Black Sunday "was the only one of my films which was really well done, all shot with a dolly which, because of time and money involved, isn't used anymore." The black and white homage to Gothic horror pushed the envelope for violence at the time, earning various cuts and an eight year ban in England. The American version removed 3 minutes of gore from the film, by trimming the famous hammering of the mask, and the crucifix in the eye. The film's box office and critical success garnered much attention to the Italian horror scene, especially Bava whose cinematography was lauded for creating an atmosphere that shared traits from the classic monster movies, while also infusing graphic violence that would become a trope of subsequent Hammer films.
Director: Mario Bava
Writers: Ennio De Concini, Mario Serandrei
Cast: Barbara Steele, John Richardson, Andrea Checchi
Running Time: 87 minutes
Year: 1960
Studio: Galatea Film
Black Sunday Retrospective: Click Here
watch the opening scene and trailer
|
|