Shock (1977)

A couple is terrorized in their new house haunted by the vengeful ghost of the woman's former husband who possesses her young son.

Directors:

Mario Bava, Lamberto Bava (uncredited)

Writers:

Lamberto Bava (story and screenplay), Gianfranco Barberi (story and screenplay) (as Francesco Barbieri)

Stars:

Daria Nicolodi, John Steiner, David Colin Jr.

1 win.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Daria Nicolodi	...	Dora Baldini
John Steiner	...	Bruno Baldini
David Colin Jr.	...	Marco
Ivan Rassimov	...	Dr. Aldo Spidini

Storyline

Dora Baldini, her husband Bruno Baldini and her son Marco move to a huge house that belongs to her. Dora lived in this house with Marco and her former husband, who was drug addicted and committed suicide. The house is empty since them and Bruno, who is a pilot, has decided to move to the place claiming it is close to the airport. Soon Marco is possessed by the ghost of his father and Dora is haunted by the house. She tells to Bruno that they need to leave the house and she is afraid of her son, but he believes Dora relapsed since she had a breakdown when he husband died. Why the vengeful spirit is seeking revenge?

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Plot Keywords:

death of husband | character repeating someone else's dialogue | mother son relationship | surprise ending | giallo | 

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Taglines:

Beyond this Door, the development of the cycle of evil is about to occur... Again!

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Genres:

Horror

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film was released in the USA as "Beyond the Door II", although it has no connection with "Beyond the Door" (1974).

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Goofs

A black cord is visible pulling a wooden object toward Dora.

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Quotes

Marco: [Asking his parents about the house they're moving into] Are we going to live here forever?

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Alternate Versions

Some earlier releases on the Media label shorten the role of Ivan Rassimov (the psychologist). The Anchor Bay and Hollywood DVD releases are complete and uncut.

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Connections

Follows Beyond the Door (1974)

User Reviews

Bava's last film lives up to its title.

The final film from Italian horror director Mario Bava was this chilling tale.

Upon returning to the home where her former husband died, a woman begins to believe that her young son is possessed and is attempting to kill her.

Plot-wise Schock is slim on sense, but those of us that love the films of Bava (or most any Italian horror period) know that the entertainment is all in the style and Bava's direction flourishes with style in this film as well. Schock carries a strong atmosphere of darkness and an increasing feeling of dread that drives it to nightmarish proportions at times. The film's scenic locations, creepy music score, and its female star add all the more to the elegance that is this twisted spooker.

The cast is good over all, but it is Daria Nicolodi that really shines as a wife/mother who begins to question her sanity.

Granted, Schock may not be the greatest of Bava's films, but it certainly was a great last work. Worth seeking out.

*** out of ****

Details

Country:

Italy

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

23 March 1979 (USA)

Also Known As:

Shock

Filming Locations:

Enrico Maria Salerno Villa, Rome, Lazio, Italy

Company Credits

Production Co:

Laser Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Sound System)

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1