Black Sabbath (1963)

Black Sabbath (1963) Mario Bava

Black Sabbath is one of those horror anthology movies that were all the rage at one time and tend to make a comeback now and again. Unlike many of those movies, all three of these short films were directed by the same director, Italian stylist Mario Bava, a master of atmosphere and mood. 

Your enjoyment of Black Sabbath may depend largely on which version you watch. On Amazon Instant Video, you’ll see the American (English dubbed) version. If you watch the Kino Classics Blu-ray, you’ll see it in the original Italian (with English subtitles) with the original order, which is “The Telephone” followed by “The Wurdulak” and ending with “The Drop of Water.” 

  

I viewed the American version on Amazon Instant Video, which doesn’t look bad, but I’d sure like to view the Kino Blu-ray. Both versions include introductions by Boris Karloff, who was about 75 when the film was made. Regardless of his age, Karloff lends a great presence to any film, even if the film is slight. Not that Black Sabbath is exactly slight, but in 1963, Americans were already quite used to Karloff introducing the TV show Thriller on NBC from 1960-62. Still, the big screen is a far different story from the little screen.

The first story in the American version is the final one in the Italian version, “The Drop of Water,” about a nurse who’s called to a house to prepare the body of a deceased woman for the undertaker. Against her better judgment, the nurse accepts the call, but upon arrival, she can’t resist removing a certain ring from the dead woman’s body. What happens next is pretty predictable, but Bava’s visuals - especially his use of color and shadow - give the film a nightmarish feel that you can’t look away from. 

The second story (first in the Italian version), “The Telephone,” is also the weakest, taking place almost entirely inside a small apartment. An attractive woman comes home late on night and begins receiving telephone calls from a man who can identify her every move inside the apartment, even though all the doors, windows and blinds are closed. The pacing and suspense build somewhat, but even in 1963 this segment must’ve been something of a disappointment. 

The middle story in the Italian version becomes the last one in the American version, probably because it’s the longest and the only one to feature Karloff in an actual story. In “The Wurdulak,” a young man travels through the countryside in the middle of the night seeking a place to sleep. He finds a farmhouse and with it a family (including a beautiful young woman) with a strange secret. Bava is at his best here, with a creepy farmhouse, superb nighttime cinematography, colored-flooded lighting, creaks, groans, howls and more. The sense of dread builds nicely and even if you can guess where the story’s going (which is really not very hard), the payoff is still worth your time. 

My good friend Kelly recommended Bava’s films to me a few days ago and I certainly intend to watch more of the director’s work. Unfortunately the Kino Blu-ray only offers a few trailers as its sole extra.  The UK Blu-ray edition from Arrow contains both cuts of the film, more extras, and a 40-page booklet, yet be aware that it is a Region B “locked” edition. 

3.5/5