Here’s something for Halloween. I watched A Bay Of Blood (1971; Ecologia del delitto) for the first time (one of the many alternative titles is Twitch Of The Death Nerve – what a title!). Directed by Mario Bava, this film is considered very influential in spawning the ‘slasher’ genre with many of its ‘kills’ copied ten years later in the Friday the 13th movies. It’s also a bit different to a slasher movie – rather than one menacing killer, this depicts an almost round robin of murderers, set off by the death of a wealthy heiress and the collective hunt for her will by different parties, which includes ownership of the island where everything takes place. Effectively gory special effects by Carlo Rambaldi and a summery score by Stelvio Cipriani. Stylish and darkly comic right up to the sick punchline, this was also advertised on release in America where every ticket holder had to pass through the Final Warning Station: “We must warn you face-to-face!” Recommended (for horror fans).
VHS Tracking 