La maschera del demonio (1960)

User Rating:

7.6/10   

Director:

Mario Bava

Writers:

Nikolai Gogol (short story "The Viy")
Ennio De Concini (screenplay) ...
(more)

Release Date:

15 February 1961 (USA)

Genre:

Horror

Tagline:

STARE INTO THESE EYES... discover deep within them the unspeakable terrifying secret of BLACK SUNDAY... it will paralyze you with fright!

Plot:

A vengeful witch and her fiendish servant return from the grave and begin a bloody campaign to possess...

Plot Keywords:

Witch | Doctor | Hypnotism | Candelabra | Painting

Cast

Barbara Steele	...	Katia Vajda / Princess Asa Vajda
John Richardson	...	Dr. Andre Gorobec
Andrea Checchi	...	Dr. Thomas Kruvajan
Ivo Garrani	...	Prince Vajda
Arturo Dominici	...	Igor Javutich / Javuto
Enrico Olivieri	...	Priince Constantine Vajda
Antonio Pierfederici	...	Priest
Tino Bianchi	...	Ivan
Clara Bindi	...	Inn Keeper
Mario Passante	...	Nikita, the Coachman
Renato Terra	...	Boris
Germana Dominici	...	Sonya, the Innkeeper's Daughter

Directed by
Mario Bava

Writing credits
Nikolai Gogol		(short story "The Viy") (as Nikolaj Gogol)
Ennio De Concini		(screenplay) and
Mario Serandrei		(screenplay)
Mario Bava		uncredited
Marcello Coscia		screenplay
George Higgins		English dialogue

Produced by
Samuel Z. Arkoff	....	executive producer (U.S. version)
Massimo De Rita	....	producer
Lou Rusoff	....	producer (US version)

Original Music by
Les Baxter		(US version)
Roberto Nicolosi

Cinematography by
Mario Bava
Ubaldo Terzano

Film Editing by
Mario Serandrei

Costume Design by
Tina Grani		(as Tina Loriedo Grani)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Vana Caruso	....	assistant director

Art Department
Giorgio Giovannini	....	set designer

Sound Department
Robert Sherwood	....	sound: US version

Special Effects by
Eugenio Bava	....	sculptor: masks and faces (uncredited)
Mario Bava	....	matte paintings (uncredited)
Mario Bava	....	special effects (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Ubaldo Terzano	....	camera operator

Music Department
Al Simms	....	music coordinator (US version)
Luigi Urbini	....	conductor (as Pier Luigi Urbini)

Other crew
Armando Govoni	....	second production assistant
Flaminia Jandolo	....	voice dubbing: Clara Bindi
Lee Kresel	....	dubbing director (US version)
Bona Magrini	....	script supervisor
Paolo Mercuri	....	first production assistant
Lidia Simoneschi	....	voice dubbing: Barbara Steele (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Alta Vista Productions (US version)
• Galatea Film
• Jolly Film

Distributors

• American International Pictures (AIP) (1961) (USA) (theatrical) (dubbed)
• Astral Films (1961) (Canada) (theatrical) (dubbed)
• Anchor Bay Entertainment (2007) (USA) (DVD)
• Collection Ciné-Club (2001) (France) (DVD)
• Luminous Film & Video Works (video)
• Something Weird Video (SWV) (199?) (USA) (VHS)
• Umbrella Entertainment (2005) (Australia) (DVD)

Also Known As:

Black Sunday (USA)
House of Fright
Mask of the Demon
Revenge of the Vampire (UK)
The Demon's Mask
The Hour When Dracula Comes
The Mask of Satan

Runtime:

87 min | USA:83 min

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian | English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:MA | Australia:M (TV rating) | UK:15 (1986) | UK:(Banned) (1961) | Italy:VM18 | Italy:T (DVD) | Finland:K-18 | Sweden:15 | USA:Unrated

Filming Locations:

Titanus Studios, Rome, Lazio, Italy

Company:

Alta Vista Productions

Trivia:

Mario Bava claimed that an American company approached him about doing a color remake. He refused.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the scene where Princess Asa pauses by her father’s coffin, she is wearing black stockings and shoes under her dress. She then leaves the room to look for the others and is seen running down the hall barefoot and without stockings.

Quotes:

Princess Asa Vajda: You, too, can feel the joy and happiness of hating.

Movie Connections:

Version of Viy (1967)

One of the three or four best horror movies ever made!

'Black Sunday's reputation grows with every year that passes, and watching it it's no wonder why! It is not only one of the three or four best horror movies ever made, it is one of the most extraordinary movies of any genre I've ever seen. Mario Bava went on to direct several movies of note after this, but if he hadn't and this was the only movie he made, he would still be a legend. On a relatively small budget, but with buckets of talent, style and originality, Bava conjured up one of the most atmospheric and haunting movies of all time. He may not be the household name he deserves to be, but he is a film makers film maker with an enormous influence on not only subsequent Italian horror giants Dario Argento and Lucio Fulci, but directors as diverse as Tim Burton (who rates this as an all time favourite) and even Martin Scorsese. 'Black Sunday' will also be remembered as one of Barbara Steele's most memorable roles. Steele is best known for her work in 60s European horror movies, but in her career worked with everyone from Fellini to Cronenberg. If she is to be remembered for only one movie it will be this one. Steele was one of the most beautiful actresses to ever set foot in front of a camera, and it is impossible to imagine anyone else in the lead (duel) role. The supporting cast is fine, and includes the fondly remembered John Richardson ('One Million Years B.C.'), but this is Steele's show all the way. 'Black Sunday' is still fresh and exciting over forty years after it was originally released. A landmark movie that deserves to be watched again and again!