Black Sunday

Starring:Robert Shaw, Bruce Dern, Marthe Keller, Bekim Fehmiu, Fritz Weaver, Steven Keats, Michael V. Gazzo, William Daniels, Walter Gotell, Victor Campos, Joseph Robbie, Robert Wussler, Pat Summerall, Tom Brookshier, Walter Brooke, James Jeter, Clyde Kusatsu, Tom McFadden, Robert Patten, Than Wyenn
Director: John Frankenheimer
Studio: Paramount
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

Five of Mario Bava's best films are included in this box set, minus his forays into eroticism, like Blood and Black Lace. Still, the lines between sexual pathos and violence blur in these selections that influenced not only other famed directors of Giallo, such as Dario Argento and Lucio Fulci, but also spawned the American golden age in horror, led by directors such as John Carpenter. Three black and white films here exemplify Bava's trademark use of chiaroscuro mixed with suspense-building cinematography first developed in early horror classics like Nosferatu and The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. In the Hitchcock-inspired Evil Eye (1963), tourist Nora Davis (Leticia Roman) witnesses a murder but can't convince police of the crime. Kill Baby Kill! (1966) is the prototype for all little girl-ghost films. Dr. Paul Eswai (Giacomo Rossi-Stuart) is recruited to solve the mystery of Villa Graps, where Baroness Graps (Giana Vivaldi) reanimates her dead daughter, Melissa, by killing innocent villagers. In Black Sunday (1960), the witch Princess Asa Vajda comes back from the dead to inhabit her look-alike, Katia, both played by Barbara Steele, the original femme fatale to which all brunette vamps, like Soledad Miranda (Vampyros Lesbos) and Elvira, are indebted.

In Technicolor, Bava's fantastically rainbow-lit films underpin the director's fascination with connections between our world and those imagined. Black Sabbath (1963) is a trilogy hosted by Boris Karloff, who also stars as a Russian vampire in its segment, "The Wurdalak." "The Telephone," and "The Drop of Water," in which a nurse, Helen Correy (Jacqueline Pierreux), steals a ring then fears that her dead medium patient seeks revenge, are acute studies of guilt and paranoia. The Viking saga, Knives of the Avenger (1966), like Bava's Hercules in the Haunted World, spawned several sword and sorcery films, while protagonist Rurik's (Cameron Mitchell's) knife-throwing is indeed entertaining. Screened back to back, these films provide evidence of Bava's influence in the horror genre. Moreover, they reveal Bava's deep understanding of horror's many facets, whether sexually, psychologically, or physically based. —Trinie Dalton

Description

More than a quarter of a century after his death, director Mario Bava remains one of international cinema's most controversial icons. Today his influence — marked by stunning visuals, daring sexuality and shocking violence — can still be seen in the works of Martin Scorsese, David Lynch, Tim Burton, Dario Argento and countless others in a legacy that extends far beyond the horror genre. This collection brings together 5 landmark movies from the first half of Bava's career — encompassing the original giallo, a bold Viking epic, and his three gothic horror masterpieces — featuring new transfers, original European versions, and exclusive featurettes to create the definitive celebration of one of the most important filmmakers of all time.

Customer Reviews:

Finally..........2007-06-23

Kill Baby Kill is a flic choc full of foreboding atmosphere that can only be appreciated in the original wide-screen aspect. Contrary to Amazon's misleading information, this version IS widescreen with the option to view in Italian w/subtitles. The dubbed version is there for those who dislike subtitles. I paid 19.99 for an earlier crappy edition so needless to say I find this collection offered at 19.99 to be a gift from Amazon. Clear colors and sound make this DVD a joy to watch; great nostalgic fun. I can't wait to view the other titles, also in original theatric aspect, a bonus for me. Am I in Horror Heaven? (I bought an extra set as a present for a relative; no borrowing, please.)

great collection.......2007-04-10

Sorry, but giving this set a bad rating just because the AIP-versions aren't included is stupid in my opinion.
This box includes 5 fantastic movies by Bava (yes, even "Knives Of The Avenger" is a great one) in overall amazing quality with very good bonus features. I believe there is a good reason that AB didn't include the different cuts of "The Girl Who Knew Too Much" and "3 Faces Of Fear": legal issues. If these are solved, hopefully we see these versions someday on DVD (though the only one that really interests me is "The Evil Eye". "Black Sabbath" would just be nice because of Karloff's own dubbing,
but everything else is clearly inferior to the italian version.)
Until then - enjoy what's IN this box, it is an amazing value for the cheap price. Of course many people who want to buy this, already may have different DVDs of some of the movies in there - so everyone must decide for themselves if it is worth getting.

Bittersweet Box Set.......2007-04-09

It's great to have all of these Mario Bava titles in one set. The transfers are really beautiful, and a revelation to those of us with memories of grainy 16mm TV prints. "Black Sunday's" monochrome atmosphere looks particularly lush in this set. "Kill Baby Kill" is a major upgrade to the crummy, desaturated DVD I have from Image.
But they really SHOULD have included BOTH US and Italian versions of the star attraction, "Black Sabbbath". Or at least cut in Karloff's actual voice to the Italian version! Why not re-edit the way it should be? I still rushed out to buy this set, but cannot give it five stars due to the pre-release publicity which stated BOTH Black Sabbath versions would be in the box set. Anchor Bay owes all of us an apology or a free DVD of the English version.

Bate and Swich.......2007-04-06

(NO STARS)
This is not what I was promised in the add.
I will never buy anything "Anchor Bay" again!!!

Very Pleased Overall.......2007-04-06

I'll echo what a previous reviewer wrote concerning the absence of the American International versions of "Mask of Satan" ("Black Sunday"), and "Three Faces of Fear" ("Black Sabbath"). I had fully anticipated their inclusion in this set. After watching the trailer, I know I'm going to need the AIP release "Black Sunday." What really sold me on this set was the opportunity to finally see and own the international edit of "Black Sabbath," and I was frankly unprepared for the vivid clarity of this transfer, and that of "Kill, Baby...Kill." It's great to finally have these films the way they were meant to be seen (however I'm not a fan of English or any other subtitles; English dubs would have been nice).

I haven't gotten around to watching "Knives of the Avenger" or "The Evil Eye," so I can't really weigh in on them. I've been generally pleased with the extras on these discs, the one caveat being the inclusion of the same trailers on each disc. Couldn't they have expanded this selection? As with so many other movie box sets in my collection, the package art's bizarre! Additionally, a decipherable illustration or two of Mario Bava would have been a fitting homage.

On VHS I have the AIP version of "Black Sabbath," and really enjoy it, but seeing this uncut Italian dub I can understand now why this was Bava's favorite film. It's very evident that AIP really went wild in the editing room--it's much more interesting in its original form. Having an educational commentary was also a selling point in my decision to shell out for this; honestly, I don't regret buying this set and I haven't even seen the whole thing yet. If you've been curious about the works of Mario Bava, and you don't mind the subtitles, you won't see finer transfers for his three best films (BLACK SABBATH, BLACK SUNDAY, AND KILL BABY KILL) included here.

However, having said all that, I have to put in a plug for the production of an edition of "Kill Baby Kill" with its killer new WS transfer, but in English and with Tim Lucas' commentary accompanying it. Another highly worthy title of Bava's deserving a more respectable issue is "Planet of the Vampires." When these two finally get the treatment they deserve, a large void will have been filled.

Hasta, and May the Force be With you!

Average customer rating:

Rebellion = self-discovery/individuality
When your father is a priest!
Maria Theisen is a Norwegian princess
A great film with Maria Theisen looking beautiful.
A great film with Maria Theisen looking beautiful.

The Other Side of Sunday
Starring: Marie Theisen , Bjørn Sundquist , Hildegun Riise , Martin Dahl Garfalk , and Hallvard Holmen
Director: Berit Nesheim
Manufacturer: Fox Lorber
ProductGroup: DVD
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The Last Butterfly
L'Effrontee
Angela (1995)
Girls Can't Swim
Red Cherry

ASIN: B00004STGW
Release Date: 2000-07-05

Amazon.com

The actual translation of this Oscar-nominated Norwegian film's original title, Sonntagsengel, is "Sunday Angels," which comes close to reflecting the state of innocence and grace from which the young heroine, Maria, attempts to penetrate adult mysteries in defiance of her father, a priest. The story is set in 1959, and Maria is unhappily lagging behind the rock & roll rebellion of her peers. Her father is severe and arbitrary in his judgments of what's best for her, her mother is in and out of a hospital, and her Sundays are spent in church, allegedly hanging on the old man's every word despite her ever-clarifying atheism. One way out: Find an ally as well as a cautionary figure in a lovely but miserable church servant who wishes she were as free as her true spirit. Directed by Berit Nesheim, the film is most vital during Maria's moments of unspoken yearning and accelerated confidence, giving us a palpable sense of a girl's inner life metamorphosing into womanhood. The rest--family scenes concocted to underscore Dad's own emotional conflicts and tyranny--are much more wooden. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

Rebellion = self-discovery/individuality.......2006-08-29

Maria is a teenager whose father is a priest in a parish in a small town in Norway in the late 1950s. She is awakening to her individuality but finds the rules of her religion and home stifling ... Her friends are discovering the opposite sex while she is not even allowed to wear lipstick or mascara. Maria is wrestling with the teachings of her church and the natural inclinations of her own mind and nature ... Her father is the priest who has strict rules and a strict interpretation of the Bible - yet Maria has discovered the Song of Solomon where the verses speak exactly about the feelings she is experienceing. When sitting in church, her mind wanders to what she is missing and when listening to the sermon, her mind compares what she is truly feeling which differs from the narrow view presented of what G-d wants from his subjects. She ponders why G-d created imperfect human beings and then forces them to follow strict rules ... Maria's mother is a thin, gaunt lady whose life was squeezed out of her. She seems to have little say in the marriage, her role is that of an obedient servant.

Maria shares her personal questions and feelings with Mrs. Tunheim in whom she suspects a kindred spirit, a lady in the church who is the organist and the church secretary. Maria and she secretly put lipstick on each other and discuss forbidden subjects. Mrs. Tunheim speaks aabout freedom and its expression not being against G-d's will. She encourages Maria to pursue her own interests regardless of the teachings of the church. After Maria's mother is hospitalized with an ulcer, Maria over hears a discussion between Mrs. Tunheim and her father whom she suspects has feelings for the secretary ...

Maria wrestles whether to become confirmed (which means accepting the teachings of the church) and becoming a full-fledged adult member as she explores her secret secular experiences ... She attends confirmation class which is taught by a handsome young priest who awakens sexual desires in her girlfriend. The young priest spoke with Maria in private and kissed her. Maria skips class and dares to visit the cafe - called a "den of sin" by her father. There she sips a coke. Her 'sin' is reported to her father by some 'well meaning' parishioners. Maria makes veiled comments to her father about everything not being what it seems, referring to his feelings for Mrs. Tuneheim ... Maria continues to explore aspects of the secular life by questioning what she is taught versus what she sees as reality and what she experiences as an honest life before G-d. An unexpected event involving Mrs. Tunheim's disappearance brings her father and herself to an understanding about what is really important in life ... Despite the serious subject matter, the film contains many humourous and comedic moments as it presents the awakening of the innocence of the main character, Maria, into the complexity of adulthood. Erika Borsos [pepper flower]

When your father is a priest! .......2006-02-13

Set in a Norwegian town in 1959, Maria is a young teen girl soon to become a woman, but is highly confused about her life. She is the daughter of a priest who loves and treasures his parishioners over family. Her mother is spineless while father is a stern dictator in the home. The family sits quietly to eat at the dinner table after the prayer/songs her father commands. He cannot tell her he loves her and she believes that the family only exists so the priest can have a home - a place to sleep and eat.

Maria seems bored and confused and doesn't want to be confirmed and hates how pathetic the church hags are and how the congregation lacks any love within themselves.

She is drawn to the teens from the congregation, who immediately after church hit the booze, smoke, listen to rock & roll and have sex. She explores her sexuality, wears makeup, earrings and lipstick. Her father calls the cafe where the youngsters hang out as the Devil's lair, the den of sin.

Maria befriends the church secretary, Mrs. Tunheim, who is having an affair with her father. Without divulging that she knows of the affair, Maria seeks advice and understanding from Mrs. Tunheim, someone willing to live freely and who tells Maria, "live your life."

The 1996 movie is on VHS with very poor visual and dark scenes. It is a coming-of-age, religious style. ...MzRizz

Maria Theisen is a Norwegian princess.......2005-01-07

The story was nice, not spectacular, but because of the pretty Norske girl, I give this movie a 5 star rating. Scandinavian films with Scandinavian heroines are the best!

A great film with Maria Theisen looking beautiful........2002-10-14

The movie is fantastic and all about church. Marie Theisen plays
a tremendous role and looks really beautiful as well. Those eyes
of hers are so innocent looking. I would like to see her in more
films today. The other children in the movie do a great job also. Especially the cheeky little girl.

Marie Theisen deserves to have more websites about her. More
pictures and information. I would like to download a picture of
Maria Theisen for my desktop. A very pretty actress of Norway.

A great film with Maria Theisen looking beautiful........2002-10-14

Description

Candy Morrison (Barbara Hershey, The Killer Beside Me, Chicago Hope), is bored with her life as a wife and mother in a small town. She yearns for excitement and finds it in the arms of her husband's close friend, Stan Blankenship. But, the passionate affair ends almost as soon as it began. A few weeks later, Stan's wife is found brutally murdered - axed to death. Never before in the town's history has someone been killed in such a violent manner. Unbelievably, Candy becomes the prime suspect. Is Candy merely a scapegoat? Or, does she harbor a secret that could push her past the brink of insanity? DVD extras include:About the Film, About the Stars, Interactive Menus, Scene Selections; Approx. 91 minutes; Color

Customer Reviews:

HERSHEY DOMINATES.......2007-02-16

Based on a true story and a book called EVIDENCE OF LOVE, this tv movie is made remarkable by the Emmy-winning performance of Barbara Hershey. She is utterly magnificent in the role of a middle class housewife who brutally murders her ex-lover's wife in a self defensive rage. Hershey superbly captures the many nuances of this seemingly normal woman who commits a heinous deed. Her hypnosis sequence is brutally painful and she pulls out no stops in showing us the hidden rage.
Brian Dennehy is equally good as the lawyer who tries to get her out of her terrifying predicament.
The movie is impressively done and once again worthy most of all for Ms. Hershey's dynamic presence.

DVD Killing in a Small Town.......2007-01-22

I received this DVD in excellent condition and it was packaged with care and arrival time was very fast. I would recommend this seller to everyone and would definitely buy from them again.

Great Movie.......2007-01-10

Barbra Hershy was great she is very good actress i loved the part in the court room and when she killed her best friend with a ax.

DVD: A Killing in a Small Town (The True Stories Collection).......2006-11-22

The movie grabbed my attention within first ten minutes and continued to be interesting throughout. I would highly recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys watching true crime type flicks or murder mysteries. It is also interesting from the standpoint of someone who studies personality disorders.

Sharp & Cutting.......2005-08-14

Good film portrayal of the story of axe murderess Candy Morrison and her neighbor. Rivalry, cruelty and jealousy flare up between these small town women that ends with the brutal strokes of an axe.

Average customer rating:

Terriorism
eerily prescient
A scary movie, even by today's standards...
Review of Black Sunday
Love and Hate

Black Sunday
Starring: Walter Brooke , Tom Brookens , Victor Campos , Clyde Kusatsu , and Bruce Dern
Director: John Frankenheimer
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B0000AUHOA
Release Date: 2003-10-14

Amazon.com essential video

Palestinian terrorists attempt to wipe out a Super Bowl crowd in this 1976 thriller directed by John Frankenheimer (Seconds). Frankenheimer's unique facility with action--the unusual breadth of his view of violence, which stresses sustained drama over escalating thrills--makes this taut movie engrossing from start to finish. The lengthy cat-and-mouse stuff during the big game--much of which was shot at a real Super Bowl--is quite exciting. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

Terriorism.......2007-06-24

I only wanted to purchase this because of the GoodYear Blimp,and the fact that this has to do with lighter than air aircraft.I'm a private pilot and appreciate all forms of aircraft.If you are interested in aircraft,then this is another one of those action movies with flying.I really do not like the terroist plot,but in this movie the bad guys loose,so just be awhare that their is violence.

eerily prescient.......2007-04-26

a generation later the concept of middle east terrorists using an air attack on an iconic american building doesnt seem as far fetched as it did in 1977, does it? robert shaw is at the peak of his popularity (this was just 2 years post "jaws"), and bruce dern is his usual crazy villain, but sadly the copy of the dvd i had crimped marthe kellers frontal nudity scene. ka-BOOM!!!

A scary movie, even by today's standards..........2007-04-20

When will there be another actor like Robert Shaw?

Probably never. But in "Black Sunday" he comes back to life with a vengeance.

The transfer on DVD is acceptable, although not to be compared with the recent transfer of another movie in which Shaw appeared. I am talking of "A Man For All Seasons".

The sound too is not too bad, although I cannot help wondering whether or not they used the same copy they used for the LaserDisc release of some years back.

In this day and age of terrorism pervading all the news channels, this film is an eery reminder, that sometimes terrorists do not need to be foreigners to accomplish their terrible acts.

So many times, although they claim to be religiously motivated, they don't even believe it themselves. They are just well oiled killing machines, with brainwashed minds whi tend to aggregate to feel a kind of belonging, a certain togetherness.

Alone, they are just pathetic and little insecure things, not even being sure whether they are still alive or not. Yet, if triggered the right way, these tiny beings can cause more damage than a battle tank.

"Black Sunday" was filmed still during the Vietnam War, hence the many references to that war. But there is an omnipresent component, and that component is the Palestinian/Israeli war.

The three main characters are:

Robert Shaw playing an Israeli Mossad agent, out to prevent a terrorist act performed in the United States during the Super Bowl;

Marthe Keller, a Swiss German actress, also known for her role together with George C. Scott in "The Formula", plays a Palestinian born terrorist, tasked to convince an American, former fighter pilot, turned to blimp pilot, to help her out in the plan to "carry" a special "cluster bomb" on board of the Goodyear blimp;

Bruce Dern is the disgruntled pilot who, after a traumatic experience with Vietnamese prisons, and not feeling appropriately considered or rewarded by the U.S. Government, decides, partly out for love for Marthe Keller's character, and partly as a kind of revenge, to carry out this folly.

Besides the three mentioned we get also Fritz Weaver (Demon Seed) and Walter Gotell (of James Bond memory, as General Gogol and as the SPECTRE agent in "From Russia with Love") to support this complicated and highly suspenseful picture.

Perhaps certain themes may be a bit outdated, but if one turns the names and places a bit around, you could find yourself confronted with a very modern and still actual picture.

This is a picture that has survived the years almost intact.

What is rather shocking is the awareness, that certain realities, dealt in this work of fiction, are still among us nowadays.
Moreover, this is one of those movies that foresaw, in one way or another, the happenings that would later become reality on 9/11.

Some movies simply are eerily closer to reality than one might think or wish them to be.

The acting by all is impeccable and very believable. The story grips you and never allows you to truly relax.

But be warned. This is a very uncomfortable movie to watch, especially for the reasons I have exposed above, but it also has the advantage to explain some facts behind those, otherwise so obscure worlds of terrorism and secret agencies.

I can only recommend it to a mature audience. This is no "kiddies" movie. To minors, this can still be a too shocking and pitiless depiction of fanatism and its consequences.

Review of Black Sunday.......2007-02-22

A good detailed and well done thriller that could have been a warning of the destruction of the World Trade Center. Will Americans never learn that truth is stranger than fiction?

Love and Hate.......2006-11-25

This prescient thriller has won new respect since 9/11, but the film was quite popular when it was originally released. The film has many things to recommend it. In addition to the NFL and special effects eye-candy, there is the ironic scene where a terrorist flees to a Miami beach and is 'driven into the sea' by the pursuing authorities.

But I think the main reason for the film's popularity is the way that Kabakov and Dahlia interact. Bruce Dern's Lander is spectacularly overdone. Most of his histrionics would have been unnecessary, if he'd simply sent his ex and her new hubby tickets to the Superbowl, as Lander did in the book.

The story's main attraction has to be the peculiar love-hate relationship between Dahlia and Kabakov.

Kabakov spares Dahlia's life in the Beirut attack. While he disparages the 'naive' Americans, Kabakov's act of mercy shows his own growing disenchantment with a lifetime of war. He takes comfort in the thought that, after the battle deaths of his sons, he still has "a daughter who lives in Jerusalem, Israel," but this is no longer enough to silence his doubts.

In Miami, Dahlia inexplicably risks everything in the attempt to reach Kabakov in the hospital. This attack makes little sense for someone seeking to avoid the attention of the authorities, but by now Dahlia clearly has some growing doubts of her own. Something about this particular enemy, Kabakov, threatens her personally.

The anarchy of Black September leaves Dahlia no reason to expect that a Palestinian state will be anything better. Up until Beirut, she'd been able to put those doubts aside in the interest of the cause, but Kabakov's unexpected mercy has changed all that.

In the movie's climactic scene, Dahlia and Kabakov face off once again. This time, Dahlia hesitates and Kabakov doesn't. The conflict seems to have been resolved. But "Black Sunday" shows us that human conflicts are rarely as simple as governments and causes would have us believe.

Average customer rating:

Twisted, yet beautiful
Hello Elizabeth!
Twisted Oedipus Complex
A thriller that's smart, funny...and charming!
A Twisted and Innovative Inversion of the word "love"

Six Ways to Sunday
Starring: Norman Reedus , Deborah Harry , Adrien Brody , Paul D'Amato , and Holter Graham
Director: Adam Bernstein
Manufacturer: Allumination
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00000JNBX
Release Date: 1999-08-24

Description

Eighteen-year old Harry Odum (Norman Reedus) has an unnaturally close relationship with his mother (Debbie Harry). But her possessive hold is tested when Harry shows promise as a henchman for the local mob. What starts with Harry's brutal pummeling of a stripclub owner ends up with his grooming for the higher ranks of the mob "family" that appreciates his lethal talents. When love finally triumphs over all, there's bound to be a few bodybags in this outrageous black comedy with a disturbing subtext and fine, quirky performances.

Customer Reviews:

Twisted, yet beautiful.......2006-11-17

I admit, I only originally watched this movie for the actors in it, but as I was watching it, I felt myself intrigued by the strange, yet sick, bond between a mother and her son. The movie itself can, at times, lack slightly in story line, but the overall effect it has will leave any person thinking. Debbie Harry and Norman Reedus both have memorable, and at times haunting, performances that make the movie what it is. I would say this is a must see movie.

Hello Elizabeth!.......2006-07-25

I agree with Elizabeth's review...any movie she likes, I'm sure that I'd like too. I've always loved the movies we've seen together. How long has it been now? Much too long... now that it's July of 2006, we should go see another one together soon...ktndto

Twisted Oedipus Complex.......2005-02-15

I never saw the movie before I bought it, all I knew that Norman Reedus was in it and that I loved him in Boondock Saints and Blade II.

The people are wonderfully cast ~ not only Norman Reedus, but Deborah Harry as Harry's mother is a quirky Jewish mother and Adrien Brody is a wanna-be gangster to the point of ridiculousness. I loved Elina Lowensohn in the part as Iris.

It's a decidedly twisted combination of Jewish mob, Ohio, and a mama's boy...Very strange, but in this case it works ~ in an unusual way.

A thriller that's smart, funny...and charming!.......2004-01-19

Charming may be an odd word to use to describe a thriller, but it fits in this case. This is a completely unique entry in the thriller category, effortlessly fusing the Jewish mob, Youngstown Ohio, and a mama's boy. Yes, a decidedly odd combination, but it works exceptionally well, thanks to intelligent writing and fine acting.

Harry Odum lives with his mother who dotes on him beyond the point of normalcy. Hence, Harry is seriously conflicted about the opposite sex and, as well, easily provoked into bouts of raging violence. This last quality proves to be an asset as a Jewish mob underling, Abie Pinkwise, hears of Harry's gifts which have been applied, quite diligently, to a strip club owner.

Harry's quickly recruited as muscle for Louis Varga who, in spite of his last name, is Jewish to the point of reveling in a typical meal--gefilte fish ("Jewish hamburger" he calls it), horseradish, matzoh, and the works--which he invites Harry, a goy (non-Jew), to participate in along with Louis' crew, all members of the tribe. Harry's good at his job--waxing (perhaps the Youngstown Ohio Jewish mob version of "whacking")--and so is soon rolling in dough, enough to buy a new house for him and his Mom.

As Mrs. Odum, Debbie Harry is spot on. She's an excellent actress given the right parts, and this is definitely one of the best parts she's done in a film. The Oedipal attachment she forces on Harry is so strong that near the end of the film, the inevitable happens (you can guess what that is), resulting in tragedy that nevertheless produces a malicious grin. This strong black comedy component of the film, then, is like fusing Bruce Jay Friedman's "A Mother's Kisses" or Dan Greenburg's "How to Be a Jewish Mother" with the Godfather. Except Harry himself is not Jewish, even though his mother is a Jewish mother to the max.

Harry meets Iris, a Hungarian emigre girl who eventually captures his confused heart. Elina Lowinsohn is perfect in this role, as is Isaac Hayes as a corrupt cop (a lotta self-respecting crime films have one of these, right?), Adrien Brody as a wanna-be gangster who emulates urban culture to the point of near-ridiculousness, and Norman Reedus as our hero Harry. The nicely juxtaposed opposites of deep down innocence (in Harry) and vicious brutality work well when combined with Iris' radiant simplicity, generating the charming element of the film.

A constantly broken chair and Mrs. Odum's other homey quirks supplies much of the humor here, but there is some grim stuff too. This is a quirky film that never really got its due and should be seen by many more people.

Recommended.

A Twisted and Innovative Inversion of the word "love".......2003-11-02

Norman Reedus has to be perhaps one of the most underrated actors in Hollywood. From starring roles in the Boondock Saints and minor roles in films like 8mm, he came into his own with this film. Adrien Brody as a wannabe gangster, obviously before playing Vladyslaw and Isaac Hayes in a great cameo...you are shown a twisted tale of mother/son bonding and a blossoming relationship between two young adults with a commonality in their desire for one another. Plenty of violence to consume that crowd...a dark comedy at its finest.

Average customer rating:

Classic horror plot - amazing expressionistic cinematogrphy
A Good Intro To Bava
BLACK SUNDAY
Seek the Les Baxter version.
Mood Piece

Black Sunday (aka The Mask of Satan)
Starring: Barbara Steele , John Richardson , Andrea Checchi , Ivo Garrani , and Arturo Dominici
Director: Mario Bava
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00002NDM3
Release Date: 1999-12-14

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The reigning masterpiece of Italian horror cinema, Mario Bava's Black Sunday remains one of the most stylishly photographed of all horror films, ranking with any other black-and-white film of lasting repute. This was the master cameraman's official directorial debut, and his striking compositions are the work of a genuine artist in peak form. Loosely adapted from a story by Nikolai Gogol, this chilling vampire tale begins in 17th-century Moldavia, where the evil Princess Asa (Barbara Steele) is executed for witchcraft and vampirism, along with her brother Javutich (Arturo Dominici). Two centuries later, a pair of traveling doctors discover Asa's crypt and inadvertently revive the evil princess, whose scheme of vampiric revenge is aimed at her own identical descendant Princess Katia, an innocent beauty (also played by Steele) whose lifeblood will ensure Asa's immortality.

Influenced by Universal's classic horror films of the '30s and British Hammer films of the late '50s, Black Sunday (released in Italy as The Mask of Satan) is a dark fairy tale, with horror queen Steele as the definitive embodiment of erotic horror. With shocking violence (tame by today's standards) and visual emphasis on tombs, secret passages, ominous castles, and unseen forces, the film offers a wealth of memorable imagery and inventive technique. Redubbed, rescored, and harshly edited for its American release in 1961, Black Sunday is presented on DVD in the original English-language director's cut of The Mask of Satan, never before available in the U.S. The perfect movie to watch on a dark and stormy night, this timeless classic is the Citizen Kane of horror films, entirely worthy of its lofty reputation. --Jeff Shannon

Description

From the Mario Bava Collection comes his most frightening masterpiece, a tribute to the classic horror of Universal Pictures. In 17th Century Moldavia, the evil Princess Asa is condemned to death for witchcraft and vampirism, along with her brother, Prince Igor Javutich. Two hundred years later, two doctors en route to a medical convention discover her crypt and accidentally set her resurrection in motion! With the help of Javutich and others whom she enthralls with her cold, dead kiss, Asa sets her sights on her ultimate victim--Princess Katia, her own twin descendant. Filmed in gorgeous black & white by the director himself, "Black Sunday" is a stylish and relentlessly visual film of undiluted violence starring cult film star Barbara Steele (Shivers, 8 1/2). The uncut European version--first time on video in the United States!

Customer Reviews:

Classic horror plot - amazing expressionistic cinematogrphy.......2007-04-18

First off this film is not in color. Its not a torture slasher film. DOnt be fooled by the lame cheesey packaging.

Its a B&W 30s/40s dracula/frankenstien's castle type of film but executed with AMAZING skill. It goes the extra mile and then some. THe sound the look the plot are all within that classic hokey range - but done with brilliance and a true gift for horror.

I dont know if I saw the Les Baxter version (whoever did the sound it was awesome!). But I love Les Baxter so now I have to go back and make sure I see his version.

Im not familiar with Barbara Steele (sorry) but her performance was phenomenal.

A Good Intro To Bava.......2007-02-10

The word "atmospheric" comes up alot with Mario Bava and probably most of all with this film. It is true. Bava makes the most out of a low budget(as usual) and turns Black Sunday into a great film to look at. Lots of gothic imagery, castles, graves, trees, fog...you know, good stuff. It's like an Italian Hammer film in alot of ways. A tad more blood than you're used to seeing in this kind of a film from this time period. Not a gorefest by any means, but a bit icky at times. Plotwise it concerns a witch who places a curse on the family of her enemies before she's branded and burned. Two hundred years later she's awakened and is still a bit pissed about the branding and such and decides to make good on that curse with the help of her resurrected lover. A heroic doctor comes to the aid of the cursed family and the battle begins. The plot's not fantastic, but good, and Bava's visuals suit it to a T. It's a bit different from Bava's later work, but it makes a good introduction if you're curious about checking out his stuff. It's good if you like gothic horror. It's just good any way you wanna slice it.

BLACK SUNDAY.......2007-01-11

The movie was ok, and probably as good as most horror films of it's genre'. It still had that "low budget" look, however, despite good props and some decent acting. The film just wasn't up to par with a Vincent Price or Christopher Lee film from that era, no matter how you slice it. Probably the BEST thing was the storyline itself. If more had been spent on the production and it had been filmed in color with some REAL actors and actresses, it could have been a truly GREAT film instead of the cult film it is. Ms. Barbara Steele was compelling in her appearance, but didn't have the acting depth or talent to take her role above the cheap production she was cast in.

Seek the Les Baxter version........2006-05-31

By all means seek out the version of this film as scored by Les Baxter for release stateside by American International Pictures.

Mr. Baxter, then heavily involved in scoring the Poe series for Roger Corman, understood perfectly the musical needs of a Gothic supernatural melodrama par excellence--such as this beautifully photographed film assuredly is.

Baxter not only provides all the aural excitement to accompany the film's many thrilling sequences but provides lovely alternative counterpoints for the films broodingly romantic and triste subtext.

His accompaniment to Princess Asa's unholy resurrection seethes with orchestral malevolence in perfect accord with Miss Steele's writhing frame. His wildly pitching and rolling tempo seems to actually hurdle the baroque carriage forward through the fog laden forest as the doctor is driven to the castle, and the introspective piano version of "Katia's Theme" hauntingly captures the melancholy of John Richardson's attraction to Katia after having just met her in the ruined chapel.

And to top all there is the sumptuous, full orchestral reprise of "Katia's Theme" as played under the closing credits.

This film is the ultimate "blood and thunder" epic which owes as much to Gottfried Burger's "Lenore", Ludwig Tieck's "Bride of the Grave," and the Brothers Grimm as it does to Gogol.

And it is to his everlasting credit that Mr. Baxter understood this genre well. As such his music not only serves Mr. Bava's vision but frequently augments it.

The Roberto Nicolosi score might best have worked for some other film, say Visconti's "Conversation Piece."

Mood Piece.......2006-05-02

I was very encouraged during the opening sequence of this movie. The opening scene involves the unique and horrifying execution of an apparent witch. But then we are quickly off to the land of 18th century carriages and castles. There are some amazingly chilling visuals and the cinematography and production design are first rate. But the story and the godawful dubbing are what ultimately sinks this movie. Call it heresy, but this movie is over-rated.

A Killing in a Small Town (True Stories Collection TV Movie)

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HERSHEY DOMINATES
DVD Killing in a Small Town
Great Movie
DVD: A Killing in a Small Town (The True Stories Collection)
Sharp & Cutting

A Killing in a Small Town (True Stories Collection TV Movie)
Starring: Barbara Hershey , Brian Dennehy , John Terry , Richard Gilliland , and Lee Garlington
Director: Stephen Gyllenhaal
Manufacturer: Trinity Home Ent
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Crime & Criminals | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Suspense | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B0001WTVDE
Release Date: 2004-05-04

Customer Reviews:

HERSHEY DOMINATES.......2007-02-16

DVD Killing in a Small Town.......2007-01-22

I received this DVD in excellent condition and it was packaged with care and arrival time was very fast. I would recommend this seller to everyone and would definitely buy from them again.

Great Movie.......2007-01-10

Barbra Hershy was great she is very good actress i loved the part in the court room and when she killed her best friend with a ax.

DVD: A Killing in a Small Town (The True Stories Collection).......2006-11-22

Sharp & Cutting.......2005-08-14

Good film portrayal of the story of axe murderess Candy Morrison and her neighbor. Rivalry, cruelty and jealousy flare up between these small town women that ends with the brutal strokes of an axe.

Life During the Great Depression: 2DVD Set of Film Footage Shot by Ivan Besse in South Dakota

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Life During the Great Depression: 2DVD Set of Film Footage Shot by Ivan Besse in South Dakota

Manufacturer: Quality Information Publishers, Inc.
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD
ASIN: B000P97R7U

Product Description

Ivan Besse Film Collection (1938-1939) 166 minutes running time - This rare 2 DVD collection contains over 2 1/2 hours of real amateur film footage shot by Ivan Besse in Britton, South Dakota. It includes all kinds of great camera shots all around town showing many different angles of normal American daily life during the Great Depression.

Black Sunday (Aka the Mask of Satan) Ntsc Import (1961) Mario Bava

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Black Sunday (Aka the Mask of Satan) Ntsc Import (1961) Mario Bava

Manufacturer: Works
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B000IF7KJG

Product Description

One of the Bava greatest classic, A Moldavian princess is condemned as witch. 200 hundereds years after she resurrect. Include Trailers. Official NTSC Brazilian Edition

Black Cinema - Sunday Sinners/Girl in Room 20

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Black Cinema - Sunday Sinners/Girl in Room 20

Manufacturer: Cascadia Entetainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD
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Product Description

This is a double feature of 60 minutes each.

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