BLACK SUNDAY is not merely equal to the best of Murnau, Whale, Freund and the Universal Pictures canon but surpasses all contenders with M.C. Escheresque visuals informed with the dark poetry of stylish sadism. Barbara Steele imbues her portrayal of the vampire/witch with a demonic majesty never before brought to the screen. Indeed, her visage a landscape of puncture wounds bearing forth wild, burning eyes and thick, cruel lips (promising the joys of eternal Hell) evokes the very standard of Italian fantascienza of the Sixties. The genius of Mario Bava is celebrated in highest form in this flagship effort, his directorial debut. This film enshrines Italian horror at its best, and Arturo Dominici's performance as vampire/sorcerer is nothing less than stellar. A chiaroscuro Black Mass.
Review of Black Sunday
