Macabre (1980)

A middle-aged woman, traumatized from the death of her adulterous lover, moves into a room at a New Orleans boarding house where the blind landlord becomes suspicious to her activities of continuing her affair with her dead lover.

Director:

Lamberto Bava

Writers:

Antonio Avati (story and screenplay), Pupi Avati (story and screenplay)

Stars:

Bernice Stegers, Stanko Molnar, Veronica Zinny

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Bernice Stegers	...	Jane Baker
Stanko Molnar	...	Robert Duval
Veronica Zinny	...	Lucy Baker
Roberto Posse	...	Fred Kellerman
Ferdinando Orlandi	...	Mr. Wells
Fernando Pannullo	...	Leslie Baker
Elisa Kadigia Bove	...	Sally

Storyline

A New Orleans housewife leaves her daughter and son home alone to meet her lover. While with him, she receives a call that her son has died. Wreckless driving rushing to her house results in a horrible accident. The lover dies and she is sent to a mental institution to recover from the psychological trauma. Upon her release a year later she moves into the boarding house where they would rendezvous. The landlord has passed away and her blind son is left to maintain the house. With every day that passes, his lust for her grows while she remains true to her lover. The situation comes to a "head" on a weekend visit with her daughter. All secrets will be revealed and no one will be the same. Inspired by actual events.

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Plot Keywords:

accident | mother kills own child | necrophilia | perversion | giallo | 

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Taglines:

Food for Fright!

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Genres:

Horror

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Certificate:

Unrated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Bernice Sanders' voice is dubbed by another actress in the English language version, which makes sense as to hide her British accent while playing an American character.

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Alternate Versions

The UK DVD by Shameless Entertainment is uncut, under the title 'Macabre'

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Connections

Referenced in Going to Pieces: The Rise and Fall of the Slasher Film (2006)

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Soundtracks

Jane in Love
Performed by Norberto Gil Ventura

User Reviews

It's warm in New Orleans, let's head for the freezer.

For a debut film, "Macabre" is really impressive! After so much work with his father and with Dario Argento, Lamberto Bava really nailed down the horror genre with his first effort. The ending is so wicked. I'll never forget it! I also like the setting. In my opinion, it's hard to beat New Orleans for a horror movie setting. The city somehow just gives off the scary vibes. The acting is above par for Italian horror films of the early 80's, but it's still a little cheesy.

That having been said, "Macabre" moves excruciatingly slow in parts. I'm talking three minutes for one of the characters to open a door. It's tough to stay focused. But, if you can, the ending is pretty rad.

I've seen this for sale with another Lamberto Bava film, "A Blade in the Dark." I'd recommend getting it that way. I think it's actually cheaper than buying it solo like I did.

7 out of 10, kids.

Details

Country:

Italy

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

17 April 1980 (Italy)

Also Known As:

Macabre

Filming Locations:

New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

A.M.A. Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Telecolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1