First off this is one of my all-time favorites. So if you’re going to watch it, then watch it right. Enter this Image DVD of Mario Bava Collection fame. It is a beautiful print in sharp Black & White and it’s the UNCUT letterboxed [1.66:1] European version. Originally titled “La Maschera del Demonio-Mask of the Demon” the U.S. title was changed to “Black Sunday” which appears on the DVD cover. AIP cut three minutes, added a written intro, re-dubbed and gave it a Les Baxter score for the American release. I’ve compared the two and the Euro score is much more dismal and appropriate. Basically this is one of the best Euro-Gothic horror films you will ever see. So take a look and see why Mario Bava is called the Master of the Macabre.

A long time cinematographer, he did direct some scenes in Ricardo Freda’s “I Vampiri” ’56, while this marks Bava’s directorial debut. Based on Nickolai Gogl’s “The Vij” this is a blend of old Universal studios elements with Hammer Studios and of course plenty of Bava’s own unique flavor. We begin in the 17th century with evil Princess Asa and brother Igor Javutich being condemned for witchcraft. The ‘Mask of Satan’ is nailed to Asa’s face and she is to be burned at the stake. But rain comes so she is laid to rest in the family tomb. 200 hundred years later two doctors find her crypt and unknowingly resurrect her. From her tomb Asa uses Javutich and the doctor possessed by her death kiss, to unleash her vengeance on the village descendants and namely Princess Katia.

This pup is a atmospheric overdose of thunder & lightning, gnarled trees, foggy landscapes, decrepit cemetery, howling winds, creepy ruins and castle settings with the ominous melancholy Roberto Nicolosi score. Doe eye’d beauty Barbara Steele stars in duel roles as Princess’s Asa and Katia in the only time she would work with Bava. Masterfully shot in gorgeous black & white this remains supreme-o classic-o in horror history. Hell it’s even got one the best ever Taglines: “The Undead Demons of Hell Use the World in an Orgy of Stark Horror”.

Xtras:
Audio Commentary by film historian Tim Lucas, Mario Bava Biography, Director & Cast Filmographies, Theatrical Trailer and Photo & Poster Gallery

This Image DVD is now out of print so I recommend you get it in Anchor Bay’s Bava 5 disc box set number 1 that also includes his anthology “I Tre Volti della Paura – The Three Faces of Fear” aka “Black Sabbath”; “La Ragazza che Sapeva Troppo - To Girl Who Knew to Much” widely considered to be the first giallo; the gothic chiller “Operzione Paura – Operation Fear” re-titled the ridiculous “Kill, Baby…Kill” and the slightly out of place “Knives of the Avenger”.