Castle of Blood (Danza macabra)
Directed by Sergio Corbucci and Antonio Magheriti
Written by Sergio Corbucci and Giovanni Grimaldi from a story by Edgar Allen Poe
1964/Italy/France
Giovanni Addessi Produzione Cinematografica/Ulysse Productions/Vulsinia Films
First viewing/Netflix rental
[box] Julia: Your blood will be our life![/box]
OK Italian Gothic horror film could possibly have been improved with color.
It’s the old story. A writer makes a bet that he can survive the night of All Hallow’s Eve in a spooky old castle. Naturally, there are ghosts galore. This being an Italian film of its era, plenty of them are scantily clad women. The writer develops a special relationship with Elisabeth (Barbara Steele) who seems to offer him guidance.
This may have suffered from the dubbing. At times we have straight English dubbing and at other times the English actor’s voice is superimposed on French dialogue. It is also the kind of thing that absolutely cries out for color. Those skin tones and gore are what make the movie. Of course Barbara Steele is alway watchable.
