Actualités

Gothic Fantastico-Four Italian Tales of Terror

Blu-ray

Arrow Video

Starring Barbara Nelli, Helga Liné, Franco Nero, Erica Blanc

Written by Giovanni Grimaldi, Bruno Corbucci

Directed by Massimo Pupillo, Alberto De Martino, Mino Guerrini, Damiano Damiani

The success of 1957’s I Vampiri, a grimly beautiful fantasy directed by Riccardo Freda and Mario Bava, provoked an unexpected trend in the country known for neo-realism; Italian horror films began to embrace the classical romanticism of Rebecca over the modernistic shocks of Psycho. Elegant nightmares like Bava’s Black Sunday cast their spell and soon this new breed of gothics—united by sumptuous black and white photography—dominated movie theaters with tbeir come-hither promise of seductive spirits and strategically lit negligees.

A few of these thrillers were more brazen in their approach—flaunting their teasing nudity and blood-soaked denouements, exploitation fare like Atom Age Vampire and The Playgirls and the Vampire took aim at...

Hey everyone! We have one last batch of horror and sci-fi home media releases headed our way before the end of the month, and this week’s offerings are massive, with well over 20 titles coming out on 4K, Blu-ray, and DVD this Tuesday alone.

One of my favorite creature features ever is getting some love in HD finally, with Scream Factory’s 4K release of Lewis Teague’s Alligator (and its sequel is headed to Blu-ray this week as well), and the horror comedy Dead Heat is also getting a 4K upgrade. For all you giallo fans out there, Forgotten Gialli: Volume 3 is being released tomorrow and features three more Italian classics genre fans are going to want to own, and Severin Films is keeping busy with a ton of titles this week too: Bloody Pit of Horror, Black Candles, Night of the Demon, and The Halfway House.

Other titles...

Did these filmmakers have any idea how twisted a picture they were making? It doesn’t matter because this Italo torture orgy has has remained a freakout favorite ever since. Mickey Hargitay likely asked, ‘do you really want me to act this nuts?’ and then fully complied with Massimo Pupillo’s request to burn, stab, choke and roast his mostly female victims in orgasmic glee. It’s all still more than a little disturbing — or screamingly funny depending on one’s orientation. Severin’s Blu-ray sources original printing elements, lending incredible video and audio quality to this artless yet stunning exercise in sex & death insanity. We also recall an interpretation given this gem by Brit film critics. Co-starring Walter Brandi & Luisa Barrato, plus eight willing special guest torture victims.

Bloody Pit of Horror

Blu-ray

Severin Films

1965 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 87 min. / Street Date November 26, 2021 / Il boia scarlatto, The Crimson Executioner / Available...

Shock lays some love on and spills some shots from 1965’s Italian trash classic Bloody Pit Of Horror. Italian director Massimo Pupillo helmed more than his share of exploitation product during his peak period in the 1960s, including the Django sorta-sequel Django Kills Softly and the Barbara Steele vehicle Terror Creatures From The Grave. But …

The post Gruesome Galleries: 1965’s Bloody Pit Of Horror appeared first on Shock Till You Drop.

Euro Horror is a very pleasurable genre in which to be steeped. I am ridiculously proud to be a Euro horror fan in the way that some people follow a football team, or a style of music. This is why I produce so many articles on the genre. Enthusiasm is infectious, and if my article provokes just one reader to buy a copy of The Living Dead at the Manchester Morgue, my work here at WhatCulture is achieved.

Cannibal Holocaust is maybe one of the top five Euro Cult Horror films, but I have written about it so often, I am not going to bore you again by going over the same old territory. In this article, I have picked some critically acclaimed stalwarts of the Euro Horror genre which will hopefully make an interesting read for you.

Please give your feedback below.

10. Bloody Pit Of Horror (1965)

Directed by Massimo Pupillo,...

Silver and Copper

Pompous Judge Max Hunter (Dan Aykroyd) is a pain in Nick's ass. Picking up where things left off from last week's episode, he called Nick when he was arrested. With a stripper and drug charges involved, things could not get any worst for him.

The judge may have hired Nick as his attorney, but he would not let him run the case as he sees fit. He is confident that the case will be won on the facts alone. What Judge Hunter doesn't know is that, the stripper Lucy Cardell was used to get him into trouble. As it turns out, the D.A. had the stripper coerced to set Hunter up in exchange for immunity. Nick had hoped context would win their case, but Hunter decided to accept the D.A's plea offer and steps down as judge. His leaving does not guarantee he won't show up again.

Dan Aykroyd made good use of his guest spot in this week’s episode, “Nevada v. Hunter.”

I know that last week I was disappointed that he only appeared for a few minutes. I felt that it was a waste of talent. However, I didn’t know that the episode was only setting his character up for full coverage the following week.

It did not disappoint.

In fact, it was enjoyable to watch Judge Max Hunter be obnoxious, pushy, and somewhat of a know it all. He’s one of those guys that you love to hate.

Nick’s difficulties with Max extended the entire episode. From going over simple facts to being interrupted in the courtroom, the Judge made it extremely exhausting to help him out.

Nick’s frustrations were understandable and as much as I’d have a similar reaction to Max’s bossiness, it was funny to watch.