Black Sunday Aka the Mask of Satan

Directed and filmed by MARIO Bava starring the exotic BARBARA Steele portraying dual roles, the good Princess Katia and her evil reincarnated ancestor witch Asa. The male lead is the very handsome JOHN Richardson as Andrej the interning physician. This tale is cleverly conceived by NIKOLAJ Gogol and the screen play written by ENNIO DeConcini and MARIO Serandrei takes another fresh look into witches and their craft.

It is the 17th century and Satan is running amok, super witch Asa, daughter of the house of Vida has been condemned to burn at the stake by order of her own brother, who happens to be the village Grand Inquisitor, also being condemned is Asa's princely demon lover, other brother, Igor Javutich. Both are charged and found guilty as blood devouring assassins, consorting, acts of incest and devil worship. Burning the flesh of the damned was labeled the "brand of satan" so before death, Asa's penalty for consorting with her demon lover brother is tagged by being branded by the hot iron S that identifies her foul crimes. Roped facing the wooden stake that will fuel the flames, the condemned witch Asa curses them in the name of satan with a nasty promise of revenge to come carried through out the generations of family. A muscled hoodman covers Asa's face with a spike lined bronze mask then locks it in with a swift throw of his club. Blood gushes in squirts through the masks nailed openings. Asa is then burned at the stake. The opening sequence and dialogue is strong and believable.

Two centuries later Asa's mask is pried from her face releasing her wrath to make good her revenge through Princess Katia her identical ancestor. BARBARA Steele is amazing and quite convincing in her dual roles, evil super witch Asa versus the sweet yet mature Princess Katia. This film was made at Titanus Studios the amazingly breath taking sets were designed by GIORGIO Giovannini is also what made this films period atmosphere visually stunning. The haunting piano piece and music composed by ROBERTO Nicolosi and conducted by PIERLUIGI Urbini. Filmed in Italy in the 60's it is clearly evident where the gothic Wicca wardrobe originated. Wardrobe Designer TINA Loriedo Grani goth is worn by Wiccas and witches still the world over. There are two versions to Black Sunday aka The Mask Of Satan the Italian uncut film and the American version where the English dialogue was written and directed by GEORGE Higgins III. Spooky stuff!

A GALATEA
JOLLY FILM PRODUCTION