Blood and Black Lace (1964) – Film Review

Director: Mario Bava
Cast: Cameron Mitchell, Eva Bartok, Thomas Reiner
Certificate: 18

By Sarah Morgan

Has there ever been a film more visually arresting than Blood and Black Lace, Mario Bava’s chilling 1964 serial killer movie?

No doubt some would come up with alternatives, but I was blown away by the Italian maestro’s magnificent use of shadows, colour and intriguing angles – although, of course, the fact that it’s been restored helps somewhat; this Blu-ray release isn’t beset by faded segments or a damaged negative. Instead, it’s crisp, luscious and utterly fabulous, right from the start.

“Fast pace”

I couldn’t help but wonder if Pablo Ferro had seen Blood and Black Lace before creating the famous opening titles to Bullitt. Although not the same, they are reminiscent of the ones seen here, with figures and mannequins looming out of the darkness. Bizarrely, the original American distributor didn’t like them so came up with something more jazzy but less appealing. They’re among the disc’s special features if you want to check them out.

As soon as they’re over, we get down to business – the film’s slick 84-minute run time means everything whips along at a fast pace as a faceless killer wearing a mask, black fedora and raincoat murders a model on her arrival for a show at a renowned fashion house.

Over the course of the story, several of her colleagues will also be killed by the same assailant, and it’s up to dogged police detective Silvestri to find out who’s carrying out the murders and why. Along the way, we learn more about the models and their associates, most of whom seem to have something to hide.

“Masterful”

Blood and Black Lace is important in Italian cinema because it spearheaded what became known as the Giallo movement, a genre often featuring a mix of murder mystery, slasher, thriller, psychological horror, sex and, occasionally, the supernatural. The likes of Dario Argento (who went on to become a Giallo master) and Martin Scorsese are among those said to have been influenced by it.

But even if it wasn’t held in high esteem for that reason, it would still be regarded as a masterful movie from a director then at the very peak of his powers.