Blood and Black Lace [2 Discs]

Director: Mario Bava Mario Bava

Overview

If a serial killer isn't stopped, there won't be any beautiful young models left in Rome. The killer always wears a stocking mask, making things extremely difficult for detective Thomas Reiner. The plot contains few surprises: what socks this one over is its gruesome stylishness, a trademark of director Mario Bava. As usual, however, Bava seems more comfortable with shock cuts and clever camera angles than he is with actors. Even such dependable performers as Cameron Mitchell and Eva Bartok come off like stick figures. All the same, Blood & Black Lace is a serviceable introduction to the blood-spattered ouevre of Mario Bava.

Product Details

Release Date:	11/08/2005
UPC:	0089859841323
Original Release:	1964
Rating:	NR
Source:	MUSIC VIDEO DIST.***
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround]
Language:	English
Time:	1:30:00
Sales rank:	31,725

Special Features

Commentary by Tim Lucas (Editor of the Video Watchdog); Interview with Mary Dawne Arden; Interview with Cameron Mitchell by David Del Valle; Bonus music tracks by composer Carlo Rustichelli; Original theatrical trailer; Photo gallery; Biographies; Languages: Original Italian, English and French; Subtitles: English, Spanish

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Eva Bartok	Contessa Cristina
Cameron Mitchell	Max Marian
Thomas Reiner	Inspector Sylvester
Mary Arden	Peggy
Arianna Gorini	Nicole
Dante DiPaolo	Frank Sacalo
Franco Ressel	Marquis Richard Morell
Claude Dantes	Taoli
Lea Krugher	Isabella
Massimo Righi	Marco
Giuliano Raffaelli	Zenchin
Harriet White	Clarica
Harriet Medin	Clarica
Haniet White	Clarica
Enzo Cerusico	Actor
Luciano Pigozzi	Actor
Francesca Ungaro	Actor
Hariette White Medin	Actor
Mara Carmosino	Actor
Heidi Stroh	Actor
Nadia Anty	Actor
Dante De Paolo	Actor
Carlo Rustichelli	Composer

Technical Credits

Mario Bava

Joe Barilla

Marcello Fondato

Giusseppe Barilla

Marcel Fonda

Mario Bava	Director,Screenwriter
Lou Moss	Producer
Joe Barilla	Screenwriter
Marcello Fondato	Screenwriter
Giusseppe Barilla	Screenwriter
Alfredo Mirabile	Producer
Marcel Fonda	Screenwriter
Massimo Patrizi	Producer

Editorial Reviews

Widely recognized as one of the earliest and influential of Italy's "giallo" films (pronounced "yellow" and so called for their similarity to a series of yellow-covered Italian crime novels), Blood and Black Lace is a perennial favorite among the fans of Italian director Mario Bava. Setting a fierce series of murders within a prestigious fashion house, Bava upped the ante on the genre with this often frightening thriller. Marked by its intense and brutal killings, numerous women die at the hands of a madman whose blank white mask is eerily void of expression or emotion. Many later slasher films owe their roots to this chilling Bava masterpiece. The director's most striking talent is his visual eye and use of color, which give the film a highly unique style and look. The brilliant use of primary hues serve as visual foreshadowing throughout the picture and make repeated viewings a fascinating necessity. The camera slowly lurks through the shadowy, mannequin-filled halls, capturing the stark beauty of the models -- and the striking brutality of their murders. The killings are highly disturbing in their savagery -- strangling, gouging, drowning, and a torturous scalding among them -- especially considering who the killer turns out to be. Bava's directorial excellence also extends to his cast, with stars Cameron Mitchell and Eva Bartok turning in especially solid performances.