The Bava Box Set, Vol. 2
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Movie Reviews of The Bava Box Set, Vol. 2
Movie Review: Bava, take two
Summary: 5 Stars
Mario Bava was one of the most underrated filmmakers of the 20th century. So it's appropriate that the first volume of the "Mario Bava Collection" (or "Bava Box") was one of the best releases of the last year, and reintroduced us to classics of Bava's that had fallen out of view. The second volume just continues that tradition, with big chunks of classic, stylish horror.
"Baron Blood" begins the collection -- Baron Otto Van Kleist was a savage, depraved guy who liked to torture people for fun (think Vlad Tepes), until a witch's curse put him out of commission. Centuries later, his descendent Peter (Antonio Cantafora) returns to his family's gothic castle, and decides that he and visiting student Eva (Elke Sommer) will recite the incantation that will return "Baron Blood" to the world. Of course, he actually DOES return, and soon Peter, Eva and Peter's uncle are forced to battle his psychotic, deformed ancestor.
"Lisa and the Devil" is more or less what it sounds like, with our heroine Lisa (Elke Sommer) a tourist going through Italy. She encounters some freaky folklore involving a local painting of the Devil and the Dead -- and a man (Telly Savalas) who eerily resembles the painted Satan. When her travel group is invited by the man to stay at a spooky villa, Lisa becomes ensnared in a maze of nightmares and death.
Then we get something that ISN'T gothic horror -- "Roy Colt and Winchester Jack," a comedy-western. Failed outlaw Roy Colt (Brett Halsey) has decided to become a law-abiding sheriff -- until he learns of a treasure map to buried gold. Of course, he scurries after it -- but to get his hands on it, he'll have to beat out an Indian prostitute, a dynamiting Russian Reverand, and his old partner Winchester Jack (Charles Southwood).
Then it's "Four Times That Night," a colourful, campy take on Akira Kurosawa's"Rashomon." Suave Gianni (Brett Halsey) starts pursuing shy, chaste Tina (Daniela Giordano), until she agrees to date him. The night ends with his face scratched and her dress shredded -- at first glance, you'd think he just got too grabby, and she fought him off. But there are four different versions of what happened that night, and none of them agree...
Then it's back to gore and horror, with one of the very first slasher flicks. "Bay Of Blood" opens with the death of a countess and her murdering husband. After their demise, the area is crowded with real-estate agents, entomologists, secret heiresses and sex-mad teens looking for a place to party. Then, of course, they start dying off... and not just from one person.
Finally we get "Five Dolls For An August Moon," a remake of Agatha Christie's "Ten Little Indians": Wealthy industrialist George Stark (Teodoro Corrà) gathers a group of friends and associates on his private island, trying to get a new formula from chemist Fritz Farrell (William Berger). As the guests get tangled in sexual and business intrigues, someone starts murdering them...
Unlike many directors, Mario Bava didn't need massive budgets or CGI to create his brilliant movies -- just good actors and a haunting backdrop. Gothic castles with dungeons, misty forests, psychedelic islands and clubs, eerie villas, and the dangerous streets of Italy are all used here, and performances that range from brilliant (Steele) to merely good (Halsey).
In fact, Bava was such a brilliant director that he take a cliche or subpar movie (such as "Baron Blood"), and turn it into something unique and deep. He made use of misty lighting, eerie camerawork, exquisite use of light and shadow, gory deaths and odd symbolism. A few also splash in some psychedelic colour and sex. And he was usually able to work in an unexpected, sometimes shocking twist to each movie's ending.
"Mario Bava Collection Volume 2" is a collection of five excellent movies, ranging from brilliant to enjoyable. And it's a good demonstration of Bava's talents, and the kinds of movies he could undertake -- a treasure for horror buffs.
Movie Review: Bay of Blood Lived Up to Its Reputation
Summary: 5 Stars
I recently bought Bava Box Set, Vol. 2 and "Bay of Blood" was the first movie I watched because I had heard that it launched the slasher genre. It definely lived up to its reputation and made this collection worth buying. I was apprehensive about watching it after reading numerous complaints about the audio quality on the Image release, but I heard every word plainly! The plot was more complex than I had imagined. I had to watch it carefully to understand who was killing who and why. It contained numerous shocks and twists. It was definitely a cross between an Italian giallo and a slasher movie.
I watched many scenes that were indeed duplicated throughout the slasher frenzy of the late seventies and early eighties, especially in the Friday 13th movies. Bay of Blood is a prime example of Mario Bava's influence on other directors.
The bizarre ending was similar to the one in Mario Bava's "Rabid Dogs," another controversial, provocative thriller with a high body count.
Movie Review: movie buff
Summary: 5 Stars
i thought these movies were great, scary. the one that says in the 7th month of the 7th full moon, is really the best, the graveyard scene, when blood dripped on her made her come alive! if you are a horror film lover..you might like these for your collection. this was one of the best horror films I saw. the scenery is spooky! unique.Movie Review: Mario magic.
Summary: 5 Stars
Some of the titles on this dvd represented films I had seen previously on videocassette however seeing them on dvd was a more enjoyable experience, the enhanced visual and audio quality was a joy to behold and is a fitting tribute to horror maestro Mario Bava.
Ken Bromley
Movie Review: Bava Box Set
Summary: 5 Stars
If you are a horror fan you cant go wrong with this set. Bava is one of the first italian horror/giallo film makers and he definitely set the standard.
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