Showing posts with label Mario Bava. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mario Bava. Show all posts

Sunday, 24 July 2011

Review - Danger: Diabolik (1968 - Dir. Mario Bava)


I saw this a fair few years ago and I wasn't that convinced by it. But when I had the chance to see it on the big screen at The Showroom in Sheffield as part of Celluloid Screams, I thought I'd give it another chance. 


Still not convinced. I think I'm going to include two unpopular statements in the next paragraph. Here we go. I appreciate that The Beatles have been really influential in changing music but personally I just don't like any of their songs. They all grate on me. It's the same to some degree with Mario Bava films. He has obviously been influential, but I'm not that keen on his films. They're okay but not what I'd call classics. Phew. That's that out of the way.




Danger: Diabolik is about a big camp gimp, called Diabolik (John Phillip Law), who charges about thieving stuff for his lady friend. The whole film is as camp as you like. It has it's funny moments, but only in a chuckling kind of way. The comedy launching of Diabolik off a catapult is one such occurrence.


Despite my previous statements there are positives; Marisa Mell as Eva Kant is probably worth the asking price alone. Hotpants action ahoy. Terry Thomas is in it too! Easily stealing every scene as a politician. Shame there's not more of him. It would have been good for him to have a third main appearance as yet another minister. 


Technically, the film is great. Bava has made a small budget go a long way using various techniques. The interior of Diabolik's hideout is a 60s marvel. The ending contains a stunning image of Diabolik encased in gold. I don't know how he does it, but the texture is gorgeous and typical of the cinematography in Bava's films. The music by Ennio Morricone fits the film perfectly. The main theme Deep Deep Down is worth a listen even if you don't watch the film. 


So, not a bad way to spend an evening. It is fun and is probably even better if you've had a few Tizers. 
5/10
evlkeith



If you like this you could also try:
The Castle of Cagliostro, Barbarella, Our Man Flint.



Monday, 30 May 2011

Review - A Bay of Blood aka Twitch of the Death Nerve (1971 - Dir. Mario Bava)


This starts really well. Beautiful opening music and then into nearly ten minutes of no dialogue. The initial scene plays on the staples of the giallo. An unknown killer wearing his/her murdering gloves and, of course, you don't get to see their face. Er, sorry... you do get to see their face. But I won't spoil it any more than that.

This opening sets up a string of murders that obviously inspired Friday the 13th; one scene was homaged/blatantly half-inched for Friday the 13th Part 2. Some effective gore, crazy sixties dancing, quality hair cuts (yes, you Roberto!), best film title ever and a naked lady running along a jetty all adds up to an enjoyable grindhouse classic. Thrown into the mix is the gorgeous Bond girl, Claudine Auger and a great ending that I doubt you'll see coming, so I'm not sure why I haven't rated it higher. Maybe the slasher films that have come later have weakened its impact. 


I think that I need to give this one repeat viewings because it has stuck in my head since I saw it, in no small part thanks to the music by Stelvio Cipriani. Don't be surprised if the rating goes up over time. A film where virtually everyone dies can't be that bad, can it? Oh, and it's got a cool trailer.
6/10
evlkeith



If you like this you could try:
Blood and Black Lace, Lizard in a Woman's Skin, Cat o' Nine Tails.