Italian Gothic Horror Films, 1970-1979

by Roberto Curti

Italian Gothic horror films of the 1970s were influenced by the violent giallo movies and adults-only comics of the era, resulting in a graphic approach to the genre. Stories often featured over-the-top violence and nudity and pushed the limits of what could be shown on the screen. The decade marked the return of specialist directors like Mario Bava, Riccardo Freda and Antonio Margheriti, and the emergence of new talents such as Pupi Avati (The House with the Laughing Windows) and Francesco Barilli (The Perfume of the Lady in Black).

The author examines the Italian Gothic horror of the period, providing previously unpublished details and production data taken from official papers, original scripts and interviews with filmmakers, scriptwriters and actors. Entries include complete cast and crew lists, plot summaries, production history and analysis. An appendix covers Italian made-for-TV films and mini-series.

Genres: Film, Nonfiction

255 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 11, 2017

About the author

Roberto Curti is a free lance writer for several Italian and foreign magazines. He’s a regular contributor to Italian music, film and literary magazine Blow Up (http://www.blowupmagazine.com). He has collaborated, among others, to the Italian cult film magazine Nocturno Cinema and to the Canadian web mag Offscreen (www.offscreen.com). His most recent work is Italian Crime Filmography 1968-1980 (McFarland), an in-depth history of Italian crime and noir films.

Reviews

[Carla Remy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have the same Lisa and the Devil poster shown in this book. It is Spanish and it is called El Diablo Se Lleva Los Muertos.
I bought it on the internet in 2002. It is beautiful.
Mario Bava’s Lisa and the Devil is a stunning film with different layered times and yes, Telly Savalas as the Devil.
It was only released in Spain, thus this poster.
But because it was poetic, vague and not obvious, the critics didn’t really like it when it came out in 1974.
There was an international movie hit we’ve all heard of then. The Excorcist.
So the money people decided to chop this exquisite movie up and call it House of Exorcism.
I have chosen to never watch this version. Apparently it includes Elke Summer(Lisa) vomiting up pea soup.

[Kimberly Lindbergs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Film historian and writer Roberto Curti delves into the macabre, surreal and sexy world of 1970s Italian horror cinema in this welcome follow-up to his previous book, Italian Gothic Horror Films, 1957-1969. Both volumes are required reading for serious-minded genre fans who should admire Curti’s passion, broad research and attention to detail. Born in Parma, Italy and currently based in Cortona, the author’s background makes him the perfect guide to help readers navigate the dark corridors and spiraling staircases found in the work of filmmakers such as Antonio Margheriti, Pupi Avati and Mario Bava.