Danger: Diabolik

Starring:John Phillip Law, Marisa Mell, Michel Piccoli, Adolfo Celi, Claudio Gora, Mario Donen, Renzo Palmer, Caterina Boratto, Lucia Modugno, Annie Gorassini, Carlo Croccolo, Lidia Biondi, Andrea Bosic, Federico Boido, Tiberio Mitri, Isarco Ravaioli, Giorgio Sciolette, Terry-Thomas, Wolfgang Hillinger, Giuseppe Fazio
Director: Mario Bava
Studio: Paramount
Product Type: DVD

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Master criminal Diabolik's got it all. He's got a black leather suit and ski mask, a pair of Jaguar XKEs, gadgets galore, an underground headquarters, and of course the ravishing Eva (played by Sixties Euro-hottie Marisa Mell). Together, the two of them pull off daring capers, staying a step or two ahead of the police, the government and rival mobsters all the while. Think the Sixties Batman TV series, James Bond, Barbarella, Matt Helm, and even a bit of Austin Powers for this distinctly Sixties crime romp. Director Mario Bava, as usual, made the most out of a less-than-lavish budget, with wild sets, an Ennio Morricone score, striking photography, and a psychedelic-soaked feel all the way around, with Bava's trademark camera work making it a visual delight in many scenes. Terry-Thomas comes in as a bumbling government official (the scene where his press conference is disrupted by Diabolik's "exhilarating gas" is a classic). It's all very tongue-in-cheek fun, based as it is on a comic book from the period. John Phillip Law, of course, is no better than he ever is as the rather fey master criminal, passing off his wooden performance as "stoic", but it works. Unlike contemporaries like Bond, though, Diabolik eschews the swinging Sixties life for a happily monogamous relationship with Eva (who wouldn't?). This is some goofy brain candy that's perfect for an evening of Sixties-retro fun. --Jerry Renshaw

Description

The suave, psychedelic-era thief called Diabolik (Law) can't get enough of life's good - or glittery - things. Not when there are currency shipments to steal from under the noses of snooty government officials and priceless jewels to lift from the boudoirs of the superrich. The elusive scoundrel finds plenty of ways to live up to his name in this tongue-in-cheek, live-action caper inspired by Europe's popular Diabolic comics. He clambers up walls, zaps a press conference with Exhilaration Gas, smacks a confession out of a crime lord while freefalling with him from an airplane, and pulls off the heist of a twenty-ton gold ingot.

Customer Reviews:

Good comic book adaptation.......2007-05-30

With Mario Bava, it doesn't really matter if the story is good or not- he creates visual experiences out of a telephone book if necessary. Here, Bava delivers a film based on the archetype of the fumetto nero- immoral and/ or amoral gangster-hero Diabolik. Here Diabolik is even more of an anarchist than a simple gangster. For the time it was quite unusual to tell the story from the villain's point of view and moreover to let the villain win. Stylistically this film is iconic: scenes or motives lifted from Diabolik pop up all over the place. It's stylish: great sets, cool dudes, good soundtrack and bright colours. What I like about this film is that it's one of the few comic book adaptations that work visually. As opposed to many other directors Bava makes full use of cinematic possibilities instead of copying the 2 dimensional panel look of a comic book. Of course the dramaturgy is rather weird, as the film works more like two episodes of a series then one story or one film.

James Bond, eat your heart out!.......2007-05-16

Costumes by Paco Rabanne, music by Ennio Morriconne, Marisa Mel and John Phillip Law in their sexy prime and even an appearance by Terry Thomas, all based on one of the most successful Italian comics of all time? What's not to like about this movie?

My favorite scenes are where Diabolik and Eva, in their fabulous underground lair roll around on his rotating bed in all of the money he has just stolen. Also, the wacked-out psychedelic nightclub scene in Valmont's Nightclub (which is my favorite music from the movie as well). Diabolik makes James Bond look like an amateur hack as he scales the side of a cliff in a latex catsuit to reach the tower where he then steals a necklace of "11 perfect emeralds" for his true love, Eva.

He's a one woman man, and impossible to catch! The ultimate anti-hero. This is a very fun film and full of eye candy. The sets, the people, the lighting....and it's a fun story too! DIABOLIK!!!!

Buy the soundtrack as well, if you can find it. It's awesome.

Move over James Bond!.......2007-01-24

Great diabolical romp. Lots of fun to watch, John Phillip Law at his best!
He's the reason this movie is so charming. Oh, those gorgeous eyes!!

What Fun!.......2006-12-30

I love this movie! Amazingly skinny John Phillip Law plays Diabolik, the coolest crook ever. Diabolik steals everything from 10 million dollars to 20 tons of gold, using all kinds of clever tricks he has up his tight-fitting sleeve. For instance, he steals a batch of emeralds by loading them into a gun, shooting them into the hide of a mob leader, and picking them out of the cremated remains later. Crazy.

Inexplicably, Diabolik is always one step ahead of inspector Ginko and the other cops who are after him. But the fun doesn't last forever, and the discovery of Diabolik's hideout kind of messes things up for our bandit buddy. He turns into what can only be described as a statue of sorts, and the audience is left wondering if he's been forced into early retirement.

The visuals are what make this film. Wonderful use of color (despite Diabolik's predominately all-black outfit) puts Danger Diabolik on a level that can nearly compete with the production design of Toys or Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Some brief animations and clever scene transitions add to the overall majestic (and implied hallucinogenic) effect.

Danger Diabolik was appropriately chosen to be the fodder for the series finale of Mystery Science Theater 3000. I always pictured Plan 9 From Outer Space fulfilling that role, and was surprised to see the MST3K crew bid their sweet adieus with a movie that was actually good. Somehow it all worked.

What Couldn't Bava Do, eh?.......2006-12-25

Mario Bava brings his unique visual style to a Bondian comic book caper. 100% fun, that's what it is. Diabolik's a master criminal rather than the superhero types we usually see in comic adaptations. He dresses like a ninja, lives in a batcave-like pad, has a hot girlfriend/accomplice, and slips through the hands of the police every time. Throw in some spy/surf-esque music(by Ennio Moriccone of course), snazzy cars and a bit of Batmanlike gadgetry, you got yourself a movie. The film has a kind of camp value that seems both intentional yet unintentional. Either way it's not a movie you really laugh AT for being silly. It's not exactly making a joke out of itself, but not being too serious either. It's hard to explain, you just have to see it. The dvd has a little documentary about the film's transition from comic to film. Apparently this film is regarded as one of the best comic adaptations in terms of visual style. I'm not very knowledgable on comics, so I'll take the word of the experts. It's not surprising however, knowing Bava's gift for photography. Also incuded is a video from the Beastie Boys which has got to be one of the most grating, annoying and godawful songs I've ever heard. Their video uses Danger: Diabolik as the central theme. The band pretty much does their own version of the film, and I guess I respect the fact that they would actually use an obscure film for their music video. That's kinda cool, but I'm sure more than 75% of their fanbase have absolutely no idea that it's based on an actual film. The song still sucks. Bigtime! For lovers of Superhero/comic/spy/Bava films.

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