Favorite MARIO BAVA films

[RCMerchant]

Personally-my favorite is KILL,BABY...KILL! (1966). Second would be BLACK SUNDAY (1960) of course-and third RABID DOGS (1977).

http://youtu.be/hJfcmQsS1G0

[Svengoolie 3]

For it's time PotV was really excellent in all ways, except for a fee technical golfs.like the backwards ray rifle scene.

[retrorussell]

People may think of FRIDAY THE 13TH as the first splatter flick-- no way!  The Italians had this covered way earlier (so did Europe in general); BAY OF BLOOD aka TWITCH OF THE DEATH NERVE is a sterling example.  What a nasty, gory movie this was-- but it's also a parable of greed as possible heirs to a lucrative bayside estate bump each other (and others) off to get their hands on it!  Speaking of FRIDAY THE 13TH; the 2nd film in the series directly ripped off the double spear death from this film.  This is the only Bava film I own (under the TOTDN title) but it's a good place to possibly re-assess your notions of where splatter originated.

[stine.greta]

I really love his creation, his horror film are the best during his era. I have voted for Black Sabbath, Black Sunday and Lisa and the Devil.

[RCMerchant]

People may think of FRIDAY THE 13TH as the first splatter flick-- no way!  The Italians had this covered way earlier (so did Europe in general); BAY OF BLOOD aka TWITCH OF THE DEATH NERVE is a sterling example.  What a nasty, gory movie this was-- but it's also a parable of greed as possible heirs to a lucrative bayside estate bump each other (and others) off to get their hands on it!  Speaking of FRIDAY THE 13TH; the 2nd film in the series directly ripped off the double spear death from this film.  This is the only Bava film I own (under the TOTDN title) but it's a good place to possibly re-assess your notions of where splatter originated.

When you think about it-BLOOD AND BLACK LACE  could qualify as an early  FRIDAY THE 13TH type of film. A masked killer, a large body count, and it's pretty bloody for it's time.

[Ticonderoga 64]

I'll go with BLACK SABBATH, BLOOD & BLACK LACE and PLANET OF THE VAMPIRES..but where are CALTIKI, THE IMMORTAL MONSTER and I, VAMPIRI?

[RCMerchant]

I'll go with BLACK SABBATH, BLOOD & BLACK LACE and PLANET OF THE VAMPIRES..but where are CALTIKI, THE IMMORTAL MONSTER and I, VAMPIRI?

He was co-director on those films. But if you wanted those, you vote "other". Also-I could have added HERCULES IN THE HAUNTED WORLD or the EVIL EYE or even the horrendous DR.GOLDFOOT AND THE GIRL BOMBS....but I just went with the cream of the crop.

[BoyScoutKevin]

Personally, I only needed 2 votes, as I voted for the 1st two on the list: Black Sunday and Black Sabbath. Though, I must admit I am somewhat ashamed of myself, as I am always confusing the title Black Sunday with Black Sabbath.

[316zombie]

blacksabbathis our alltimefave bava movie, but we do have a great fondness for planet of the vampires and kill,baby,kill! as well.

[Neville]

I voted for "Danger: Diabolik" and "Bay of blood", because the're tons of fun and have a certain subversive vibe around them. In "Diabolik", Bava has you rooting for the bad guy just because he's telling the story from his side, and in "Bay of blood" all the characters are so despicable your only choice seems to be cheering everytime one of them is nastily dispatched.

My third vote was for "Planet of the vampires" because I just love the way it looks despite the low budget.

[RCMerchant]

Welcome back, Neville!
I like PLANET OF THE VAMPIRES visually as well.
The cool leather suits and skull caps are unique when most space operas of the time went with the traditional big helmets and  zippered silver jumpsuits.

[Allhallowsday]

BLACK SUNDAY

[RCMerchant]

BLACK SUNDAY

I just rewatched this the other day. Not the AIP release version. The European version  (the MASK OF SATAN) has a different score and lots of scenes intact that was cut from the American version that was deemed too gruesome by AIP.
Classic Bava!