Blood and Black Lace

Mario Bava's 'Blood and Black Lace' has been a curious favourite of mine for many years, from first viewing a 'pan and scan' cut version on VHS many years ago to catching an old red hued print at the Dead By Dawn festival in 2000. For a long time I had been anxious to see what Bava's vision was like the way he meant it to be seen. So with the arrival of VCI's definitive edition my wait would be no more...

'Blood and Black Lace' (aka 'Sei Donne Per L'Assassino') concerns the Christiana Haute Couture fashion housewhere a murderer strikes, killing one of the models that works there triggering off mass distrust with all that bode there, mystery and murders galore in what was to become the first true 'giallo' thriller.

The original template for dozens of Italian thrillers to follow, 'Lace' is an inventive and very stylish film that captures Bava at his best. He utilises his great skill in filling the screen with sweeping and dramatic tension through his directing skills. Supported by a very convincing cast that help portray the the seedier side of the fashion scene in a convincing dramatic manner that is way ahead of its time.

The faceless masked killer would be prominent in many Italian 'giallo' thrillers (see 'Torso' et al), in fact many aspects of 'Lace' would be prominent in the genre for the decades to follow (Argento's work including 'Suspiria' come to mind in particular). For these reasons alone 'Lace' should be on the priority viewing list for fans of Italian cinema, but not just for these reasons. 'Lace' is an engrossing film that doesn't lack because of its age, it still packs a punch on the terror front and stands as a great slice of horror cinema.

VCI have down a sterling job with this release. Presented uncut in widescreen for the first time, the image is strong and rich in colour the way Bava wanted the film seen. There's a mulitude of aural options including not only the English language version but the opportunity to view the film in Italian with English subtitles (so thats two viewings straight away!) as well as French audio and Spanish subtitles too!

They haven't scrimped on the extras either with a selection they can be proud of and that fans will enjoy thoroughly too. Tim Lucas once again delivers the goods with a highly informative audio commentary (when is that book coming out Tim?), a great selection of trailers for Bava's work and the always welcome addition of seperate soundtrack music tracks (a VCI speciality that I love). Both Cameron Mitchell and Mary Dawne Arden pop up for on-screen interviews which is a very welcome bonus also, Mitchell in particular delivers some top notch amusing and enlightening anecdotes about his time working with Bava.

If you've even the slightest interest in Italian horror cinema and the 'giallo' scene, then don't have any doubts about picking this fine release up. An excellent movie and a well produced disc. Go buy it now!