Bloodtype Online
For the best of the Horror/Cult/Exploitation film experience
Black Sunday (aka The Mask of Satan) (1960)
One of the most influential filmmakers of our time would have to be
Italian Maestro Mario Bava. Bava was well known for his gothic style
of horror, and this film would be the beginning of where that legend
began. There's no doubt that Bava would be as instrumental in the
world of horror as anyone ever and should be mentioned with the names
Hitchcock, Castle, Romero, Carpenter, and we all know that there
wouldn't have been a Fulci or Argento without him. Personally I've
always seen Bava to be that mixture between the old Universal films
and the Hammer ones. So with that said, it's the perfect time for us
here at Bloodtype to dabble into his first film, Black Sunday aka The
Mask of Satan.
Black Sunday is a story about a witch and her servant that were
fitted with the spiked Mask of Satan because of their beliefs. Well
it so happens that years later because of a circumstance (that I won't
tell you about here, watch the flick!) that brings them both back to
roaming the earth for vengeance. Once they are back and looking to
avenge what happened to them years ago only a young man and a doctor
can stand in the way to stop them.
Bava being the master of atmosphere that he is, certainly showed that
would be his calling card from his very first film. Black Sunday is
dripping atmosphere from the minute the movie comes on screen and
doesn't let up for a second. Plus, watching Barbara Steele in
anything is also a plus. She's not only excellent in the role, but
Black Sunday is the first horror film to have a menacing female
villain in a main role.
Technically the film is a wonder, with it's beautiful set design,
excellent lighting, cinematography which tends to be something you'd
expect from vintage Bava. Also, this is the first disc on the newly
released Anchor Bay "The Mario Bava Collection Vol. I" and I have to
say that the transfer of the film is excellent. Now, I saw Black
Sunday years ago for the first time and I can say that this is the
best I've ever seen it look.
Overall I would recommend this one, especially for those who have yet
to dabble in the world of Bava. Personally, I think he has better
films out there, but this is a nice place to start if you are just
getting your Bava badge. But if you are already a hardcore fan and
you have yet to get this set, I say junk all of your old VHS's and
DVD's as this is the definitive version to have for your home
collection.
Rating - ***
-Ed Demko
