Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath

Movie spotlight

Black Sabbath

1963
Movie
95 min
Italian

Three tales of supernatural horror include a woman plagued by threatening phone calls, a family targeted by vampiric monsters, and a deceased medium who wreaks havoc upon the living.

Insights

IMDb6.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes75%
Director: Mario BavaGenres: Horror, Mystery, Thriller

Plot Summary

This anthology horror film presents three distinct tales of terror, each steeped in supernatural dread and urban legend. The segments include 'The Drop of Water,' about a nurse who steals a ring from a corpse and is haunted by its owner's spirit; 'The Telephone,' a suspenseful story of a woman receiving terrifying calls from a stalker; and 'The Wurdulak,' a chilling vampire tale set in the Russian countryside. Each story culminates in a ghastly and unforgettable encounter with the supernatural.

Critical Reception

Black Sabbath is widely regarded as a masterpiece of gothic horror and a significant influence on the genre. Critics praised its atmospheric direction, striking visuals, and inventive storytelling, particularly the Boris Karloff-hosted segments. It has endured as a cult classic, celebrated for its stylish presentation and genuine scares.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its atmospheric direction and visual style.

  • Lauded for its inventive and often terrifying stories.

  • Considered a seminal work in the anthology horror subgenre.

Google audience: Audience reception data from Google is not readily available for this classic film.

Fun Fact

The film's title and structure directly inspired the name and concept of the legendary British heavy metal band Black Sabbath.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

Boris Karloff introduces this triptych of short stories. I found the first, the shortest, to be the least interesting centring around a greedy nurse who robs a corpse of a valuable ring only to find that it's erstwhile owner isn't quite fin...