Barnes & Noble

An atmospheric, visually arresting horror film directed by the legendary Mario Bava, Black Sabbath consists of three blood-chilling stories introduced by master of ceremonies Boris Karloff. The first two are psychological thrillers with shocking finales; the third and best tale features Karloff himself as a Wurdalak (Russian vampire) who systematically infects his entire family before turning his attentions to hero Mark Damon and his daughter, Susy Andersen. Bava, a classically trained artist and former cinematographer who's visual and technical virtuosity inspired a whole generation of European horror and fantasy filmmakers (including his son Lamberto and the great Dario Argento), doesn't have that much to work with here -- none of the three narratives are particularly original. Still, bolstered by Bava's meticulous direction -- the scene compositions, the studied lighting effects, and fluid camera movements -- and Karloff's predictably capable performance, Black Sabbath rises from routine horror flick to collectable classic. Ed Hulse

All Movie Guide

This anthology features three chilling horror stories. "Il Telefono" is credited to Guy de Maupassant, although he never wrote such a story, and concerns a woman (Michele Mercier) receiving telephone calls from beyond the grave. "Wurdulak," by Alexei Tolstoi, stars Boris Karloff as an aging vampire who can only feed on those he loves. Co-starring Mark Damon and Susy Andersen, it is clearly the best story of the three. The final tale, "La Goccia d'Acqua," is falsely credited to Anton Chekhov. It features Jacqueline Pierreux stealing a ring from a corpse she is preparing for burial, only to be murdered by the old woman's ghost. The American version differs in four major areas: the print is shorter, the stories appear in a different order, there is a linking device with Karloff speaking directly to the audience from a foggy void, and Roberto Nicolosi's musical score is replaced with one by lounge-icon Les Baxter. The American release of the film is also missing a comic coda featuring Karloff riding on horseback (or is he?); this appears in most Eurpoean prints of the film, including Mario Bava's original cut. Robert Firsching

Product Details

• UPC: 013131330298
• Source: STARZ / ANCHOR BAY
• Region Code: 1
• Aspect Ratio: Alternate Wide Screen (1.77:1)
• Presentation: Wide Screen
• Sound: monaural
• Language: Italiano
• Subtitles: English
• Time: 1:33:00
• Sales Rank: 12,360

This DVD is also available as part of a box set:

• Bava: The Mario Bava Collection, Vol. 1

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