Black Sunday
Synopsis
Centuries after being condemned to death for practicing witchcraft and vampirism, resurrected Moldavian witch Princess Asa Vajda rises from her crypt to exact bloody vengeance on her descendants and possess her lookalike great-granddaughter.
Our Review
Vampires are gruesome, everybody knows this and the movies are amazing, and people love this genre like anything. In olden days, when movies were not in the market, people enjoyed books, various books on vampires and bloodsucking creatures. It was Bram Stoker, who changed the life of people and also, he is responsible for creating stir in people’s lives in many ways. Black Sunday was released in the year 1960 and directed by Mario Bava, one of the prominent directors of that era. This story revolves around the mysterious and evil princess named Asa (Barbara Steele).
The year is 1630 and the Russian princess Asa has mysterious charms. She has been condemned for practicing dark arts and witchcrafts. She is a very beautiful woman, with dark hair and sexy body and can entice any man she likes. Prince Vajda, her brother is the only person who can heir the throne and due to that, he stakes his sisters and kills her publicly. During her death, she screams and swears that she will be back from her dead and will take revenge.
The vengeance of princess Asa is beautifully portrayed by Barbara Steele. One day, some people were summoned and they are in a carriage, all of a sudden their wheel breaks out and they fall, helplessly. They notice a horrible witch. The terror begins with the killings and grotesque appearances. During the stay, Prince Vajda starts feeling uncomfortable and is very restless. He often is very restless and can understand that something is wrong.
Everything in this movie is dramatically directed and became world famous. The actress has won many hearts worldwide with her sexy acting and mind blowing figure.
What We Think About This Movie
What We Liked
Mario Bava’s revolutionary, baroque black-and-white cinematography loaded with mist, decaying crypts, and dramatic chiaroscuro lighting.
Barbara Steele’s iconic, magnetic dual performance as both the vengeful Princess Asa and the innocent Katia.
Groundbreaking practical gothic horror visual effects, notably the brutal spiked "Mask of Satan" execution sequence.
The eerie atmospheric sound design and relentless gothic dread.
What We Didn't Like
English dubbing across older export versions can occasionally sound stiff or theatrical.
The storyline follows familiar gothic revenge beats common to 19th-century vampire and witch literature.
Who Should Watch
Enthusiasts of Italian gothic cinema, fans of Mario Bava and Barbara Steele, and viewers who love classic European supernatural horror.
Who Should Skip
Audiences who prefer high-speed modern digital horror, color-saturated visuals, or strictly realistic psychological thrillers.
Movie Details
Where to Watch Black Sunday in the USA
Frequently Asked Questions About Black Sunday
Is Black Sunday (1960) worth watching?
Yes. Holding an 8.4/10 rating on MovieToWatch, it is widely considered the crowning achievement of Italian gothic horror and the definitive directorial breakthrough for Mario Bava.
Is Black Sunday known by another title?
Yes. In Italy, the film was released as La maschera del demonio (The Mask of Satan), while in the United Kingdom it was released as The Revenge of the Vampire.
What is Black Sunday based on?
The film is loosely based on Nikolai Gogol's 1835 Russian horror novella Viy, though Mario Bava reworked the narrative heavily into a gothic vampire and witch revenge story.
Who directed Black Sunday?
It was directed and photographed by legendary Italian master of horror Mario Bava.
Who stars in the lead role?
British actress Barbara Steele stars in a dual role as the undead Princess Asa Vajda and her innocent descendant Katia Vajda, establishing her as an international gothic horror icon.
How long is Black Sunday?
The film has an official runtime of 87 minutes.
