The Long Hair of Death
The Long Hair of Death

Movie spotlight

The Long Hair of Death

1964
Movie
96 min
Italian

In a 15th century village, a woman is accused of witchcraft and put to death. Her beautiful older daughter knows the real reason for the execution lies in the lord's sexual desire for her mother.

Insights

IMDb6.1/10
Director: Antonio MargheritiGenres: Horror, Gothic

Plot Summary

In 15th-century Italy, a noblewoman named Elisabeth is accused of witchcraft by her husband, Count Neville. She is executed, but not before cursing him and his descendants. Decades later, her daughter Mary returns to the family castle, haunted by her mother's spirit and the castle's dark past. As a plague sweeps through the region, strange occurrences and deaths plague the new inhabitants, suggesting Elisabeth's curse is still active.

Critical Reception

The Long Hair of Death is considered a notable entry in Italian gothic horror, praised for its atmospheric visuals and Barbara Steele's compelling performance. While not as widely known as some of its contemporaries, it is appreciated by genre enthusiasts for its eerie mood and classic horror tropes.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its atmospheric and gothic visuals.

  • Barbara Steele delivers a strong, memorable performance.

  • Effectively builds suspense and dread within its haunted castle setting.

Google audience: Audience reception is not extensively documented through specific Google user reviews for this older, international film.

Fun Fact

The film was shot in the style of Hammer Horror films, a popular British horror production company, aiming to capture a similar aesthetic of gothic terror and suspense.

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