Italian Horror Recomendations

[Toxferatu]

i'm lookin for some good italian horror. i've been into it for a while now, i've seen zombie, the beyond, house by the cemetary, stagefright, city of the walking dead, zombie holocaust, burial ground, beyond the darkness, cannibal ferox, jungle holocaust..i think thats all, probably more i cant think of right now. i've liked most of them but cannibal ferox and jungle holocaust, too much for me but the other ones kicked ass.

any suggestions? doent have to be fulci or anyone well known, just lookin for anything in that style.

[bulletproof]

Deep Red
Suspiria
Black Sunday
The Beyond
Stagefright
Cemetaryman
Opera
The Steandhal Syndrome
Zombie
Demons
Shock
Baron Blood
Sleepless

[FeydRautha]

I have to agree with some of bulletproof's list. Anything by Dario Argento is excellent.

Fulci's a competent horror director, but I've always loved Argento's theatrical style. Start with "Suspiria" and work your way up from there. Just bear in mind, "Trauma" was filmed in The States and aimed at a less gore-friendly ratings board, so you might be disappointed by this one.

[ICP RULZ]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by bulletproof:
Deep Red
Suspiria
Black Sunday
The Beyond
Stagefright
Cemetaryman
Opera
The Steandhal Syndrome
Zombie
Demons
Shock
Baron Blood
Sleepless</font>

Ya,what he said

[Toxferatu]

argento did demons right? i forgot about that one.

for some reason never checked his stuff out, been sticking to fulci mainly in this kinda stuff. i'll see what hollywood video has, if they dont ahve any i'll just buy suspira, i've been thinking about it anyway.

fulci's atmosphere never ceases to suck me in for the ride and i always love his stuff. i ordered city of the living dead to get some new fulci to watch, i've seen the 3 i own enough that i think its time to get somethin new.

[This message has been edited by Toxferatu (edited 09-07-2002).]

[Jason13thh]

Watch Schock ( Mario Bava ), Demons 2 , The Sect ( Soavi ) A Blade In The Dark ( for once a good giallo from Lamberto Bava ) The House With The Windows That Laughed is obviously a masterpiece from Avati but unfortunately I don't find it in my country !!!!!! Bloodstained Shadows, What Have U Done To Solange.
Argento and Bava are my favorite directors along with Carpenter ( btw, Carpenter is a friend of Argento )

[pedro]

TENEBRAE, it is Dario's best movie! It is awesome. Bay of Blood is also dope.

[Hans, wihout Franz]

Black Sabbath(Bava)-the best anthology flick ever.
Torso(Martino)- Martino was actually a soft-core porn director before this. He know what you want to see and how.
The Sect(Soavi)-the same guy who did stagefright hard to find though
The Psychic(Fulci-full version only)- don't know the name of the full version if you can only find he cut version remember it's been butchered
Don't Torture A Duckling(Fulci)- Fulchi's best giallo, not as much gore as you'd expect but still cool.

[countchocula]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Toxferatu:
argento did demons right?</font>

Argento produced Demons. It was directed by Lamberto Bava. Definitely check it out, as it delivers outlandish gore, sleek lighting, and a frantic pace. Don't expect logic, though. It doesn't exist in the world of Italian horror. Also, track down Cemetery Man, a warped, almost romantic zombie film.

[Toxferatu]

i have demons on vhs, you are right on logic there is none but a great movie none the less.

thanks for the suggestions, i'm gonna see what i can find.

[dellamorte dellamore]

My favorites from Italy:


Dellamorte Dellamore(of course.AKA Cemetey Man.The 2001:a space odysee of Horror films).


Inferno-the most brilliant and hypnotic use of colors ever in a horror film.Terrific set design and fx without the use of CGI or computers.In my opinion Argento's masterpiece.Still waiting for the final installment.



Phenomena-a young Jennifer Connely elevates this tension filled murder mystery about a young woman who can communicate with insects.Again,some terrific visual effects and cinematography at a time when cgi was not available.



The Beyond-considered Fulci's masterpiece,i have to agree.It's rare that a director can sustain an intense feeling of dread and hopelesness for a film's an entire running time.Fulci does this with Beyond,with the aid of horrific,but oddly hypnotic set design,gore,and a total lack of narrative sentimentality.It's a disturbing apocalyptic vision with no heroes or happy endings.


City of the Walking Dead-i've lost my stomach for this one,it's just way too gory,but it captures that same intense feeling of dread that The Beyond possesess.It's one of the most disturbing films i have ever seen,and once again the end of the world paranoia is conveyed expertly by Fulci.



Suspiria-more brilliant set design and stunning use of colors courtesy of Argento.The cinematography is at times haunting and horrific,but always compelling and otherworldly.It's brutal and mysoginistic,but still i can't deny what an amazing cinematic creation this is.You won't be able to look away,as almost every frame is filled with such detail.I feel he perfected with Inferno what he started with Suspiria.



Zombie 3-this film was scoffed at by genre fans and i feel underservedly so.This is one of the best Zombie films ever.Only when you watch an officially released cleaned up version can you truly appreciate how good this film really is.It's a pure cheesefest with no regard for traditional filmmaling rules,such as coherent narrative,continuity,logic,or the need to create sympathetic characters.The action is non stop and some of the cinematography and visuals are excellent.It's finally received it's region 1 north american release courtesy of Media Blasters.In my opinion Bruno Mattei's best work.


Deep Red-if anyone feels that Argento is incapable of melding gorgeos visuals with a compelling narrative,need only check this one out.It's his most accesible creation and he does'nt skimp on his trademark visual style.Right up there with Suspiria and Inferno.


Zombie-takes awhile to get going.No matter because when it does take off it pays off big time.One of the goriest zombie films ever,another one i can't bring myself to watch anymore.


Demons 1/2-Just about as entertaining as it gets with regards to Italian zombie/demon films.I think part 2 was better(The Ring stole a scene from this film) but the ending of part one is one of the best in any horror film(Resident Evil lifted it to a certain extent).Both films feature excellent set design,disturbing gore effects,wondrous lighting,and cliched but likable characters(especially the Bald black guy who plays different characters in both films).They will never make films like this anymore,i doubt they could even if they tried.I also have to mention that both films contain excellent soundtracks capturing the spirit of the material.

[Mojo67821]

I just want to go on record and state that I don't really like Suspiria. :(

In fact, it made me give up on Argento all together, until I recently bought Opera and was blown away by it.

So personally I'm a bigger fan of Argento's Giallo stuff. I think Suspiria was too ambitious and I just couldn't get over how boring it was and how much it lacked any discernable plot line.

The first ten minutes of it were fabulous, after that he loses me in a sea of brooding omens that get majorly played out after about 10 minutes.

As far as other Italian horror...Definitely Zombie is worth a pick up. Some of the most inventive scenes I've seen, and an absolutely brilliant synthesized score to boot.

I"ve recently bought Deep Red and Tenebre in a double disc package from Best Buy, but have yet to check them out. I"m really busy with school and my girlfriend so it's hard to get time. But I"m really looking forward to both.

I was also going to buy the Demons and Demons 2 package from Best Buy but Arrow's review of Demons 2 is making me second guess myslef.

Perhaps I should just do it.

Anyhoo...that's my 2 cents:cool:

[radikill]

I just ordered the Demons/Demons 2 box set from Deep Discount DVD. I've already seen them both and will be glad to have them in my collection.

To me, Demons is the Aliens of demon/zombie movies. Total balls-out unrelenting thrills. Demons 2 is definitely inferior to it, but I don't think it's the crapfest some reviewers claim it to be. If you really dug Demons then you won't hate the sequel.

[Horror_chick]

I wish I could recommend some, but I haven't got a chance to see any because the stoooopid video store around here don't carry any Fulci or Argento.

I've found a few on DVD, can anyone tell me if any are worth just going out and buying? :D

[teenkiller]

I'm going to have to try and check out Suspiria and Stagefright. Are these films gory? Well thats all for now GOoD JOURNEY my fellow schmoes.

[dellamorte dellamore]

The main reason i liked Demons 2 more is that there was something more claustrophobic and compelling about the setting.


A high tech(at the time)high rise complex controlled by computers,whose occupants consisted of a diverse mix of people.Young couples,cheating spouses,lonely middle aged women,traditional families,hot single babes,kids and the like.The fact that they were trapped was ludicrous(not too mention that no one rescued them),but it created an intense feeling of urgency in relation to the action.



Some notable scenes were the one in the elevator when the man and women became trapped as a result of the power failure.There was some excellent tension created with that whole sequence,terrific stuff.Then the entire sequence in the parking garage.The film hits it's highest notes when the Black guy from Demons 1 takes control again and starts kicking some Demon tuckus.That scene turned into a rousing Demon bashing fest,the last stand for the residents of the housing complex.I love when they barricade the door leading to the garage and then the Demon baddies open it up and start diving through the flames,then all hell breaks loose.


I can see how someone compared it to Aliens,but mainly i feel the only resemblance was the powerful acid that the Demons secreted.So powerful it ate through steel.



Both films are classics,and taken together they are a truly powerful horror combination.An example of Italian Horror at it's very best.They are inspired,ingenius,immensely entertaining,delightfully cheesy,and they accomplish what only a select number of horror films do,they create a fantastical world that you won't mind coming back to over and over again.



I still have to give part 2 the nod though,it's just slightly more entertaining.


I have to say,i'm basing my recommendations on the DVD versions,i've only enjoyed both,but until i saw and heard them on DVD in 5.1 sound with a powerful receiver,it was a whole other experience.


I also agree with another shmoe about Opera,that's another excellent one with some nifty camera work.Trauma(the uncut version)is also recommended.As is Nonhossono,The Sect,The Church,House of Clocks,Blade in the Dark,and Denti(not exactly horror,more like fantasy but it's a recent Italian offering that has some hypnotic images,weird stuff with a confusing narrative).

[dellamorte dellamore]

Just remembered another great scene from Demons 1 that was inspired by Aliens.The scene in the airduct when two young lovebirds are trying to escape from the theater and there is a demon following them.

I'll still get goosebumps with that scene as the Demon inches closer and taps her fingernails on the airduct floor in the process.Once again,the lighting in this particular scene is what really makes it work.

[MelloJones]

Profondo Rosso - Deep Red
Suspiria
Don't Toture a Duckling
A Blade in the Dark
Demons
Stagefright - Aquarius
The Church
Dellamorte Dellamore- Cemetary Man
All the Colors in the Dark
Cannibal Holocaust
House by the Cemetary
The Beyond
Zombie
Kill Baby Kill
Black Sunday
Bay of Blood - Twitch of the Death Nerve
Rabid Dogs
Nightmare City
What Have you Done to Solange ?
Torso
Erotic Nights of the Living Dead
Blood and Black Lace
Cannibal Ferox
Shock (Transfer-Suspence-Hypnos)
amuck
Antropophagus
Virus
Orgasmo-Paranioa
Spasmo
Blow-Up
I think I could go on forever like with Argento and Fulci's films Fulci made some pretty cool giallo's I like alot ... and there are some pretty cool Italian cannibal and living dead films....

[deepestsleep]

I just got to watch Cronos (I presume it's Italian!). 'tis good, I really liked it!

Does anyone know of any sequels or similar stuff?

I think if the guy hadn't destroyed the Cronos Device, it could have become as iconographic as the Hellraser Cube!!! :D

Martin

[pedro]

Heh, Cronos is actually Spanish/Mexican or something, and i have heard there is a sequel in the works.....

[thebloodfeaster]

Originally posted by dellamorte dellamore
My favorites from Italy:

The Beyond-considered Fulci's masterpiece,i have to agree.It's rare that a director can sustain an intense feeling of dread and hopelesness for a film's an entire running time.Fulci does this with Beyond,with the aid of horrific,but oddly hypnotic set design,gore,and a total lack of narrative sentimentality.It's a disturbing apocalyptic vision with no heroes or happy endings.



I have Seven Doors of Death. This is really the same movie right? I think I had heard before that SDoD is also called The Beyond. Anyway, if it is the same movie we're both talking about, I second your recommendation. This and House By the Cemetary are the only Fulci movies I've seen so far, and I love them both. The atmosphere is indeed amazing. Who cares if the plots make no sense at times :)

[thebloodfeaster]

I must correct myself. I have seen Zombi also, but I don't own it like I do the other two. I thought that was a good movie, especially the shark scene. It did not build quite as much atmosphere as the two I own though.

[countchocula]

Originally posted by thebloodfeaster
I have Seven Doors of Death. This is really the same movie right?

I'm fairly positive that Seven Doors of Death is the cut version of The Beyond.

[7th son]

I for one, do not think italo-horror is all it's cracked up to be.

In any event, here are some rather cool ones (that haven't been mentioned),

House on the Edge of the Park ~1980
Cut & Run ~1985
Fear ~1980
Strange Shadows in an Empty Room ~1976
Massacre in Dinosaur Valley ~1985
Buried Alive ~1979
The Other Hell ~1980
New York Ripper ~1982
Ghosthouse ~1988
The Wild Beasts ~1982
Hell of the Living Dead ~1981
Graveyard Disturbance ~1986

[thebloodfeaster]

Originally posted by countchocula
I'm fairly positive that Seven Doors of Death is the cut version of The Beyond.

Son of a bitch! That's the second movie I found out today I have the cut version of! Editing movies pisses me off! Once again art is wounded at the hands of money!

[dellamorte dellamore]

Ask any horror director who or what some of his or her influences were, and after the usual suspects ( Romero, Carpenter, Cronenberg ) i guarantee they will mention italian horror as being a huge influence, especially Bava ( Mario and Lamberto ), Argento, Fulci, and Michele Soavi.


All these horror films coming out of Japan in rapid succesion, in my opinion are inspired by films created by the aforementioned, especially Takashi Mikes work ( Audition ) and The Ring trilogy.


So even if your'e not impressed by Italian Horror, at least not as much as some others, there is no denying the immense impact it's had on not only American cinema, but international horror also.



Mario Bava started the trail, but Argento trailblazed it, with the help of his contemporaries. He's a true visionary that changed the face of horror forever. He may not be appreciated in the USA as much as he should, but i feel it's because the distributors always decide to cut his films beyond recognition.


I really hope he gets financing for the third and final film in the 3 mothers trilogy. And, i hope if he does he doesn't use CGI, but utilizes brilliant set design and mesmerizing color schemes to tell the story.


I still can't get over the things he has accomplished without the aid of computers or CGI.

[Jason13thh]

Demons 2 is a really cool and entertaining movie from Lamberto Bava and I have not seen the first - one yet.
I don't why most of u does not like this film it is not that bad and it is like Die Hard to me !
A Blade In The Dark is maybe the best giallo from Lamberto Bava I own it ( like Demons 2,btw ) and it is worth seeing, believe me but the bathroom scene is not for the squeamish that's for sure.
Otherwise u have The Sect from Soavi which is really weird but interesting because of all the style, not very gory but atmospheric and I love atmosphere !
Non Ho Sono ( aka Sleepless ) is a good giallo from my favorite horror director Dario Argento, the train sequence is unbelievable !!! very good scene and good music from The Goblins.

[dellamorte dellamore]

I always had a sneaky suspicion that Demons 2 lifted elements from Die Hard , but if you look at the release year of both films , you will see D2 came out a full two years before DH :


Demoni 2 (1986)
(Demons 2: The Nightmare Returns (1987) (USA: video title))


Die Hard (1988)


What does it mean , or more accurately , what am i implying ? I'm beggining to think that maybe the creators of DH intentionally lifted elements from D2 because they felt the scenario was effective and who would know anyway , nobody in their right mind would accuse them of hacking a low budget ( by Hollywood Standards ) gore fest from Italy .



I'm not saying they totally ripped off D2 , but there are just too many similarities to ignore . Innocent civilians trapped in a computer controlled high rise , being terrorized by exotic homicidal baddies , is the most striking .



In the end , i wouldn't say D2 reminded me of Die Hard , i would say Die Hard reminded me of Demons 2 ( Demoni 2 ) .


Demons 2 is a true horror classic that had an inspired frenetic energy behind the proceedings . You'll never see another one like it , and in some ways it exceeds the original , it's just an amazing ride all around ( except for that demon baby thing , what were they thinking ) . Great cinematography , cheesy acting , wonderful use of colors , gore that doesn't go too far , excellent makeup fx , very good music , suspenseful moments , entertianing zombie / demon action , and brilliant set design , this creation is better than the majority of the recent American horror , especially in the past 10 years .

[KillerKlown]

Tenebrae
Suspiria
Opera
Demons
Demons 2
Zombie
The Beyond
House by the Cemetery
New York Ripper (quack quack)
City of the Living Dead
Dellamorte Dellamore
Cannibal Ferox
Cannibal Holocaust