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Andrea Occhipinti, Anna Papa, Fabiola Toledo, Michele Soavi, Valeria Cavalli ... see more see more... , Stanko Molnar , Lara Naszinski , Anny Papa , Fabiiola Toledo , Michele Saovi

This horror-thriller from director Lamberto Bava stars Andrea Occhipinti as Bruno, a composer who becomes involved in a frightening series of murders while staying at an isolated villa. The story turn... read more read more...s on a scene in the horror film Bruno is scoring: a young child, taunted by cruel bullies, descends into a dark cellar after a bouncing tennis ball. The kids hear a scream and the ball bounces up to them, leaving bloody tracks on the wall. Pretty Sandra, Bruno's director, explains that her inspiration was the childhood of Linda, the villa's previous tenant, but there is something far more sinister going on. Anyone who has seen Psycho probably has a good idea what that "something" is, but the plot is really incidental. ~ Robert Firsching, Rovi

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47% liked it

1,974 ratings

R, 1 hr. 32 min.

Directed by: Lamberto Bava

Release Date: August 6, 1983

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DVD Release Date: March 29, 2005

Stats: 81 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (81)

  • FilmFanatik
    October 30, 2011
    FilmFanatik
    A Blade in the Dark is the product of Mario Bava's son Lamberto Bava. The director has a few Italian classics under his belt, including this one, but I've never been particularly impressed with his work or anything. As far as thie film goes, I wouldn't say that it's one of the be... read morest giallos out there, but it does have a lot of atmosphere to it. The atrocious English dub makes it pretty much laughable at times but the plot isn't all that hard to follow. At times it's interesting, but other times boring and labored by a loathsome pace. Overall, a decent watch but not much of a classic.
  • matertenebraum
    April 14, 2011
    matertenebraum
    To begin with I was a real sap for liking all that commercial crap that the everyday world is being exposed to watching. That was until "A Blade In The Dark" caught my attention.

    This was the first film that marked my entry towards Italian horror and what an entrance it was I mi... read moreght add.

    The opening sequence is a real knockout not to mention dead scary (even the mere thought is enough to give me nightmares). The only con was the fact the acting was tad bit weak, but at the same time exceptional.

    I won't spoil the ending though, but it could've been a slightly improved with a cat and mouse chase that concludes in a bit of a bloody showdown with hero and killer. The highlight in the film for me though was Lara Nazinsky, who plays Julia (the composer's girlfriend) what a firecracker she is.

    Though not many would agree about this film being good, it was interesting to know that it was directed with little budget with many of the actors working for nothing and considering Lamberto Bava's credibility of being son of horror legend Mario Bava.
  • WrenchLT
    January 9, 2011
    WrenchLT
    Tame Giallo from Lamberto Bava. Originally made for Italian TV so don't expect a gory sleaze-fest like New York Ripper or the technical flare of Argento's Tenebrae or Suspiria. It still gets the job done effectively enough with some good suspenseful moments and a decent surprise ... read moreending. It really is quite slow paced though and quite boring at times. Make sure you're fully awake when watching this or you may nod off.
  • John2223
    April 3, 2009
    John2223
    The story is keeps you in suspense, the score is creepy, the direction atmospheric and some of the violence is brutal and effective BUT at times, it seemed to include scenes that unnecessarily stretch out it's running time that ruin its pace for moments.
    Not a good giallo. but st... read moreill worth to take a watch at least once.
  • flynnparadox
    September 13, 2006
    flynnparadox
    The younger Bava is no where near as good as his father but he can spin a scary, gory tale if wants to.

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Critic Reviews

Lucius Gore
August 4, 2008
Lucius Gore, ESplatter

Considering how low the budget obviously was, Bava does a great job crafting a classic giallo mystery. The film may even have inspired Wes Craven's "Scream 3," which was also a horror movie about the ... Full Review

Emanuel Levy
July 21, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

May 24, 2003
Film4

Click to read the article Full Review

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  • In what movie did a handsome black man walk through the day and night, but killed his own breed in the dark?  Answer »
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