Once Upon a Time

In a bizarre and surreal fairy tale, a prince is cursed by a witch and sent to the present day. He encounters a modern woman who, with the help of a mysterious dwarf, must help him break the curse and return to his own time. The journey is filled with absurd characters, bizarre situations, and a constant battle against the witch's evil magic.

Once Upon a Time is a cult classic, often celebrated for its unique blend of horror, fantasy, and dark comedy. While its narrative can be considered unconventional and its special effects are dated, its visual style, creative storytelling, and Bava's distinctive directorial flair have earned it a dedicated following among genre enthusiasts.

• Praised for its visual inventiveness and Bava's signature style.
• Noted for its unique and eccentric blend of fairy tale and horror elements.
• Considered an oddity, but beloved by fans of cult cinema.

Google audience: Audience reception is difficult to gauge due to limited public reviews, but fans often appreciate its strange charm and unique take on fairy tale tropes.

Mario Bava, known for his influential work in the giallo and horror genres, intended this film to be a bizarre, surreal, and darkly comedic fairy tale, a departure from his more straightforward horror efforts.