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:

Prepare yourself.

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Genres:

Horror

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

Italy

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

12 August 1977 (Italy)

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

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

Bruno Baldini: There's nothing worse for a marriage than sending a husband off without his coffee.

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Alternate Versions

Although uncut by the BBFC the UK cinema version and 1985 Stablecane video release both featured the shorter print which reduced the scenes involving the psychologist. Later DVD releases featured the complete print.

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Connections

Featured in Sneak Previews: The Bell Jar, Picnic at Hanging Rock, Dreamer, Old Boyfriends, Hurricane, Beyond The Door 2, Circle of Iron (1979)

User Reviews

Knockout finale saves the film

I read somewhere that this is as much a Lamberto Bava film as it is Mario Bava's. If it's Lamberto; it's one of his best, if it's Mario; it's not one of his best.

Shock mostly delivers in a knockout finale that is truly terrifying. Up until then it mostly drags, with highlights that are few and far between. This is not one of Bava's visual feasts, it's more gritty looking than I expected but Bava is, as always, very capable of creating a moody and eerie atmosphere and he doesn't fail here either. If the film had a better script and a few more surprises up it's sleeve it would be a superb horror movie.

The film is also bolstered by Daria Nicolodi's best ever performance, pity she didn't perform as well for Dario Argento as she did here. The fact she could act so well here was a big SHOCK for me.