The murder of a wealthy countess triggers a chain reaction of brutal killings in the surrounding bay area as several unscrupulous characters try to seize her large estate.The murder of a wealthy countess triggers a chain reaction of brutal killings in the surrounding bay area as several unscrupulous characters try to seize her large estate.The murder of a wealthy countess triggers a chain reaction of brutal killings in the surrounding bay area as several unscrupulous characters try to seize her large estate.
- Awards
- 4 wins & 1 nomination total
- Simone
- (as Claudio Volonté)
- Laura
- (as Anna M. Rosati)
- Sylvie
- (as Paola Rubens)
- Renata and Alberto's Son
- (uncredited)
- Renata and Alberto's Daughter
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaFriday the 13th (1980) and Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981) pay homage to this movie by lifting two murders from it (one in each movie), almost shot-for-shot. The locations in all three movies look similar.
- GoofsThe Count is stabbed repeatedly in his back, then falls on his back and dies. When the killer is dragging him away, there should be a blood trail leading from The Countess to the door.
- Quotes
Simon: Man should live and let live, and without any interfering.
Paolo: Even that poor squid was free once, Simon, eh? I study Coleoptera because I love them.
Simon: Sure, but the squirming little creatures still end up under your microscope. Yeah, he's dead all right but at least I eat my squid. But I don't kill as a hobby like you do.
Paolo: Good lord, Simon. You make me feel like a murderer.
Simon: I'm not saying that, Mr. Fossati, but if you kill for killing's sake, you become a monster.
Paolo: But, man isn't an insect, my dear Simon. We have centuries of civilization behind us, you know.
Simon: No, I don't know. I wasn't there.
- Alternate versionsThe Italian version contains alternative filmed dialogue scenes by the same characters. It also includes different character names for the four teenagers who stumble upon the abandoned disco.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Don't Scream: It's Only a Movie! (1985)
**** (out of 4)
Mario Bava's landmark film can now be considered one of the very first slashers and of course a major influence on Friday THE 13TH. The film takes place at a lake-side resort where a variety of people are brutally slaughtered by an unknown maniac. Also known as A BAY OF BLOOD and a dozen other titles, this Bava film mixes the giallo with what would become known as the slasher and the end result is certainly something special and ground- breaking. To say the film was a major influence on the genre to come would be an understatement because there's simply so much going on here that other filmmakers would steal from. Obviously there's the graphic violence, which is scattered throughout the film and this is what got the movie its original reputation. The effects are quite ghastly for their time and especially a couple throat slashings, a memorable beheading and of course a sex scene where two victims are offed at the same time (and later stolen in Friday THE 13TH PART 2). The film is also quite sleazy with not only the gore but a fair amount of nudity and sex. This certainly wasn't the first film to use sex and violence but Bava really puts his own spin on it because the movie just feels so dirty. I say that in a good way because the director adds a certain poetry to the death scenes and he also lingers on them for long periods after the victims are stabbed or whatever else their fate is. Instead of cutting to the next scene Bava just keeps the camera on the victims as they take their last few breathes and this here is quite effective and at times ugly. The film is certainly far from flawless as some of the performances aren't all that impressive and the director goes for way too many zoom shots. With that said, there are enough twists in the story for ten movies and it's constantly catching you off guard. No matter what you call the film there's no question about its importance to the genre and it ranks as one of the best in Bava's career.
- Michael_Elliott
- Sep 30, 2013
- Permalink
Details
- Runtime1 hour 24 minutes
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1