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tonight's feature: Black Sunday (1960)
Another Mario Bava classic, Black Sunday (alternatively titled The Mask of Satan and Revenge of the Vampire) wasn't exactly a big hit upon first release in its native Italy. After subsequent releases in France and America the movie was considered a pioneering work in Italian gothic horror, setting the standards for terror, eroticism and graphic violence along with making Barbara Steele a major star in Italy.
The film begins with a vampiric witch and her lover being sentenced to death in 1630s Moldavia, putting a curse on the brother who condemned her before she dies. Two centuries later, a doctor and his buddy stumble into the tomb and accidentally start a process where the witch eventually comes back to life. Lots of murder and drama and possession and undead action ensue.
Black Sunday is pretty epic for 1960 and even gives Dracula a run for its money. Definitely a movie everyone should see at some point. 9 giant fake vampire bats out of 10.
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