{"id":35358,"date":"2015-11-20T11:34:34","date_gmt":"2015-11-20T18:34:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=35358"},"modified":"2020-12-10T09:57:05","modified_gmt":"2020-12-10T16:57:05","slug":"black-sunday-1960","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=35358","title":{"rendered":"Black Sunday (1960)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;In her you will live again, speak again &#8212; smile as she does!&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Black-Sunday-Poster.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Black-Sunday-Poster-198x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"198\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-35369\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Black-Sunday-Poster-198x300.jpg 198w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Black-Sunday-Poster-84x128.jpg 84w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Black-Sunday-Poster.jpg 580w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 198px) 100vw, 198px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nA vampire-witch named Asa (Barbara Steele) and her lover Javuto (Arturo Dominici) are burned at the stake in 1630 Moldavia, but return to life when a visiting doctor (Andrea Checchi) accidentally spills some blood on Asa&#8217;s corpse. Checchi and his assistant (John Richardson) meet a young princess named Katia (Steele) who looks remarkably like Asa, and are soon involved in a quest to prevent Asa from inhabiting Katia&#8217;s body.\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Barbara Steele Films<\/li>\n<li>Horror<\/li>\n<li>Mario Bava Films<\/li>\n<li>Vampires<\/li>\n<li>Witches and Wizards<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Response to Peary\u2019s Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nPeary writes that this &#8220;extremely effective film&#8230; remains the best Italian horror film&#8221; and &#8220;among the most atmospheric of [all] horror films because former cameraman [Mario] Bava conveys everything visually (which makes us forget dubbing&#8221;. In an eloquent, lengthy description (modified from his <em>Cult Movies<\/em> essay), Peary notes that: <\/p>\n<blockquote><p>&#8220;Bava&#8217;s malefic world consists of dark mountains set against a gray sky; mist-shrouded forests where tree limbs seem to reach out to grab those passing through; two-hundred-year-old graveyards where the soil is too cursed for anything to grow; ancient crypts where bats fly about in the darkness, spiders spin their webs, and decaying walls crumble; and shadowy, ice-cold castles full of creepy passageways and enormous hidden chambers. It&#8217;s a world where light fights a losing battle against oppressive darkness and even the pure (virgins, priests) wear black. With art director Giorgio Giovannini, Bava creates an atmosphere where the living and dead co-exist, unharmoniously.&#8221;<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Peary further notes that Steele &#8212; whose &#8220;beauty is mysterious and unique&#8221; &#8212; was &#8220;the ideal choice&#8221; for the dual role as evil Asa and sweet Katia. In <em>Cult Movies<\/em>, Peary refers to Steele as &#8220;the most fascinating actress ever to appear in horror films with regularity&#8221;, and writes that &#8220;it is because of Steele, probably even more than Bava, that <em>Black Sunday<\/em>, in which her screen persona was established, remains a cult favorite&#8221;. Regardless, all film fanatics should certainly watch and enjoy this ultra-atmospheric classic horror film, which was banned in England for eight years (but likely won&#8217;t shock modern audiences who are used to much more gruesome imagery). <\/p>\n<p><strong>Redeeming Qualities and Moments: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Barbara Steel(e) as Asa and Katia<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Black-Sunday-Steel.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Black-Sunday-Steel-1024x606.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"379\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-35376\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Black-Sunday-Steel-1024x606.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Black-Sunday-Steel-128x76.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Black-Sunday-Steel-300x178.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Black-Sunday-Steel.png 1824w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Truly atmospheric cinematography, sets, and direction<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Black-Sunday-Cinematography.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Black-Sunday-Cinematography-1024x606.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"379\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-35377\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Black-Sunday-Cinematography-1024x606.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Black-Sunday-Cinematography-128x76.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Black-Sunday-Cinematography-300x178.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Black-Sunday-Cinematography.png 1824w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Black-Sunday-Cinematography1.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Black-Sunday-Cinematography1-1024x606.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"379\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-35378\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Black-Sunday-Cinematography1-1024x606.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Black-Sunday-Cinematography1-128x76.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Black-Sunday-Cinematography1-300x178.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Black-Sunday-Cinematography1.png 1824w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Black-Sunday-Cinematography2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Black-Sunday-Cinematography2-1024x606.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"379\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-35379\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Black-Sunday-Cinematography2-1024x606.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Black-Sunday-Cinematography2-128x76.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Black-Sunday-Cinematography2-300x178.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Black-Sunday-Cinematography2.png 1824w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Black-Sunday-Cinematography3.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Black-Sunday-Cinematography3-1024x606.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"379\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-35380\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Black-Sunday-Cinematography3-1024x606.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Black-Sunday-Cinematography3-128x76.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Black-Sunday-Cinematography3-300x178.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Black-Sunday-Cinematography3.png 1824w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Black-Sunday-Sets.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Black-Sunday-Sets-1024x606.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"379\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-35373\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Black-Sunday-Sets-1024x606.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Black-Sunday-Sets-128x76.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Black-Sunday-Sets-300x178.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Black-Sunday-Sets.png 1824w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Black-Sunday-Sets3.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Black-Sunday-Sets3-1024x606.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"379\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-35375\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Black-Sunday-Sets3-1024x606.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Black-Sunday-Sets3-128x76.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Black-Sunday-Sets3-300x178.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Black-Sunday-Sets3.png 1824w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nYes, as a justifiable cult favorite. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Categories<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Cult Movie<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p> (<span style=\"color:red;font-weight:bold;\">Listed in <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-static\/1001Movies.htm\"><em>1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die<\/em><\/a><\/span>) <\/p>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0054067\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1961\/03\/09\/archives\/the-screen-horrors-black-sunday-from-italy-has-premiere.html\">NY Times Original Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.dvdtalk.com\/dvdsavant\/s98Sundayrev.html\">DVD Savant Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.dvdtalk.com\/dvdsavant\/s3930sund.html\">DVD Savant Blu Ray Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/moria.co.nz\/horror\/black-sunday-1960-la-maschera-el-daimo-mask-of-the-demon.htm\">Moria Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tcm.com\/tcmdb\/title\/68943\/black-sunday#articles-reviews?articleId=430\">TCM Article<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.tvguide.com\/movies\/black-sunday\/review\/109530\/\">TV Guide Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.timeout.com\/london\/film\/black-sunday-1960\">Time Out Capsule Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;In her you will live again, speak again &#8212; smile as she does!&#8221; Synopsis: A vampire-witch named Asa (Barbara Steele) and her lover Javuto (Arturo Dominici) are burned at the stake in 1630 Moldavia, but return to life when a visiting doctor (Andrea Checchi) accidentally spills some blood on Asa&#8217;s corpse. Checchi and his assistant (John Richardson) meet a young princess named Katia (Steele) who looks remarkably like Asa, and are soon involved in a quest to prevent Asa from&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=35358\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-35358","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-responses-to-peary"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35358","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=35358"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35358\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":56702,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35358\/revisions\/56702"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=35358"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=35358"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=35358"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}