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Mario Bava

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Mario Bava
Bava in 1975
Born(1914-07-30)30 July 1914
Sanremo, Kingdom of Italy
Died27 April 1980(1980-04-27) (aged 65)
Rome, Italy
Other namesJohn M. Old
John Foam[1]
Occupations
Years active1937-1980
ChildrenLamberto Bava
ParentEugenio Bava

Mario Bava (Italian: [ˈmaːrjo ˈbaːva]; 30 July 1914 – 27 April 1980)[2] was an Italian filmmaker who worked variously as a director, cinematographer, special effects artist and screenwriter.[3] His low-budget genre films, known for their distinctive visual flair and stylish technical ingenuity, feature recurring themes and imagery concerning the conflict between illusion and reality, as well as the destructive capacity of human nature.[1] Widely regarded as a pioneer of Italian genre cinema and one of the most influential and greatest filmmakers of all time, he is popularly referred to as the "Master of Italian Horror"[4] and the "Master of the Macabre".[5]

After providing special effects work and other assistance on such productions as I Vampiri (1957), Hercules (1958) and Caltiki – The Immortal Monster (1959), Bava made his official feature directorial debut with the gothic horror film Black Sunday, released in 1960. He went on to direct such films as The Girl Who Knew Too Much, Black Sabbath, The Whip and the Body (all released in 1963), Blood and Black Lace (1964), Planet of the Vampires (1965), Kill, Baby, Kill (1966), Danger: Diabolik (1968), A Bay of Blood (1971), Baron Blood (1972), Lisa and the Devil (1974) and Rabid Dogs (1974).

According to the British Film Institute, "Bava took a vital role in the creation of the modern horror film. If there was to be a Mount Rushmore-style monument dedicated to four directors whose work pioneered a new form of big screen chills and thrills, those giant faces etched in granite on the mountainside would be: Bava, Alfred Hitchcock, Georges Franju and Michael Powell."[6]

Family

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Born to sculptor, cinematographer and special effects pioneer Eugenio Bava, the younger Mario Bava followed his father into the film industry, and eventually earned a reputation as one of Italy's foremost cameramen, lighting and providing the special effects for such films as Hercules (1958) and its sequel Hercules Unchained (1959) (both were lampooned on Mystery Science Theater 3000).[7][8]

Mario Bava's son and frequent assistant director, Lamberto Bava, later became a noted fantasy and horror film director in his own right.

Biography

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Mario Bava was born in Sanremo, Liguria, on 31 July 1914. He was the son of Eugenio Bava (1886–1966), a sculptor who also worked as a special-effects photographer and cameraman in the Italian silent-film industry.[9] Mario Bava's first ambition was to become a painter. Unable to turn out paintings at a profitable rate, he went into his father's business, working as an assistant to other Italian cinematographers like Massimo Terzano. He also helped his father at the special effects department at Benito Mussolini's film factory, the Istituto Luce.

Bava became a cinematographer himself in 1939, shooting two short films with Roberto Rossellini. He made his feature debut in the early 1940s. Bava's camerawork was an instrumental factor in developing the screen personas of such stars of the period as Gina Lollobrigida, Steve Reeves and Aldo Fabrizi.

During the late 1950s, his eventual career trajectory as a director began when he was relied upon to complete projects begun by or credited to his colleague Riccardo Freda and other filmmakers, including The Day the Sky Exploded (1958) (often cited as the first Italian science fiction film), Caltiki – The Immortal Monster (1959) and The Giant of Marathon (1959).[1]

Bava collaborated in I vampiri (a.k.a. The Devil's Commandment) for director Riccardo Freda in 1956, a movie now referred to as the first Italian horror film.[10] Bava was hired as the cinematographer, even creating the innovative special effects that were needed. He also handled the cinematography and special effects on the 1955 Kirk Douglas epic Ulysses and the 1957 Steve Reeves classic Hercules, two films credited with sparking the Italian sword and sandal genre.

Bava co-directed The Day the Sky Exploded in 1958, the first Italian science fiction film after the 2nd World War, predating even the sci-fi films of Antonio Margheriti. Because he had no earlier credited experience as a director, the film was credited solely to Paolo Heusch.

Bava in 1962

In 1960, Bava directed the gothic horror classic Black Sunday, his first solo directorial effort, which made a genre star out of Barbara Steele. His use of light and dark in black-and-white films is widely acclaimed, along with his spectacular use of colour in films such as Black Sabbath, Kill, Baby... Kill!, Blood and Black Lace and The Whip and the Body.

Later works

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His work has proven to be very influential. Bava directed two films that are now regarded as the earliest entries in the Italian giallo genre: The Girl Who Knew Too Much (1963) and Blood and Black Lace (1964). His 1965 science fiction horror film Planet of the Vampires was a thematic precursor to Alien (1979). Although comic books had served as the basis for countless serials and children's films in Hollywood, Bava's Danger: Diabolik (1968) brought an adult perspective to the genre; the movie was influenced by Pop artists Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein.[11][12] Many elements of the 1966 film Kill, Baby... Kill!, regarded by Martin Scorsese as Bava's masterpiece, also appear in the Asian strain of terror film known as J-horror. 1971's A Bay of Blood is considered one of the early slasher films, and was explicitly imitated in Friday the 13th Part 2.[13]

Bava was disappointed with the theatrical distribution of some of his later films. His Lisa and the Devil (1972) was never selected by a distributor. Eventually, in order to get it released, the producer reedited the movie into an Exorcist clone, adding footage shot in 1975, and retitling it House of Exorcism. Bava's Semaforo Rosso (1974) was never released theatrically during his lifetime, and in the late 1990s, it also would be reedited, with new footage added, and retitled; it was released on video as Rabid Dogs. It was released on DVD in 2007, slightly altered and again retitled, as Kidnapped.

In 1977, Bava directed his last horror film, Shock. His son, Lamberto Bava, was an uncredited co-director. The elder Bava later did special effects matte work on Dario Argento's 1980 film Inferno. Bava died suddenly of a heart attack on 27 April 1980, at age 65. His doctor had given him a physical just a few days before, and had pronounced him to be in perfect health. At the time of his death, Bava was about to start shooting a science fiction film titled Star Riders, on which Luigi Cozzi had hoped to collaborate.[14]

Influence and legacy

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Although most of Bava's films as director failed to achieve major commercial success upon release, many eventually found acclaim as cult classics, with their content and production values being favourably compared to the works of Alfred Hitchcock. Despite his reputation as a talented artist during his lifetime, Bava's shy, self-deprecating demeanour prevented him from taking advantage of opportunities that would have furthered his international standing within the industry, and he declined multiple opportunities to work in Hollywood.[1]

Bava's son Lamberto worked for fourteen years as his father's assistant director (beginning with Planet of the Vampires), and became a horror film director in his own right. On several of Mario's movies, Mario was credited as John M. Old.[15] Later, Lamberto was sometimes credited as John M. Old Jr.[16] When Lamberto screened his debut film Macabre for his father, Mario commented jokingly to Lamberto: "I am very proud of you. Now I can die in peace". (He actually did die less than two months later.)

Several books have been published about Bava: Mario Bava by Pascal Martinet (Edilig, 1984) and Mario Bava edited by Jean-Louis Leutrat (Éditions du Céfal, 1994) in French; Mario Bava by Alberto Pezzotta (Il Castoro Cinema, 1995) in Italian; The Haunted Worlds of Mario Bava by Troy Howarth (FAB Press, 2002) and most recently, the massive critical biography Mario Bava: All the Colors of the Dark by Tim Lucas (Video Watchdog, 2007; ISBN 0-9633756-1-X).

A documentary, Mario Bava: Maestro of the Macabre, was released in 2000.[17]

Bava's directing style influenced entire generations of filmmakers, including Joe Dante, Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino, Francis Ford Coppola, John Landis, and Tim Burton.[18][19][20] Bava and his works have also influenced Dario Argento, Lucio Fulci, Federico Fellini, John Carpenter, David Lynch, Nicolas Winding Refn, Roger Corman, Edgar Wright, and Jennifer Kent.[21]

Movie-mocking TV series Mystery Science Theater 3000 concluded its original ten-season run in 1999 with Danger: Diabolik.[22][23][24][25]

Filmography

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Film

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Director

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Year TitleContributed toNotesRef(s)
DirectorWriterDoP.Effects
1957 I Vampiri Uncredited No Yes Uncredited Completed the film after Riccardo Freda left production. [26][27][28]
1958 The Day the Sky Exploded Uncredited No Yes Uncredited Uncredited co-director with Paolo Heusch. [29][30]
1959 Caltiki – The Immortal Monster Uncredited No Yes Yes Took over direction from Freda.

Also actor; as 'Mexican in Police Station'

 [29][31]
The Giant of Marathon Uncredited No Yes Yes Bava shot some additional interiors 10 days prior to the films premiere. [32][33]
1960 Black Sunday Yes Yes Yes Uncredited Bava developed the matte paintings and special effects. [34]
1961 Hercules in the Haunted World Yes Yes Yes Yes [29]
Erik the Conqueror Yes Yes Yes Yes [29]
1963 The Girl Who Knew Too Much Yes Yes Yes Yes Also actor; as 'Uncle Augusto' [35]
Black Sabbath Yes Yes Uncredited No [36][37][38]
The Whip and the Body Yes No No No [39]
1964 Blood and Black Lace Yes Yes Yes Yes [35]
The Road to Fort Alamo Yes No Yes Yes [35]
1965 Planet of the Vampires Yes Yes Yes Yes [35]
1966 Knives of the Avenger Yes Yes Yes Yes [35]
Kill, Baby, Kill Yes Yes No No [40]
Dr. Goldfoot and the Girl Bombs Yes No Yes Yes Also actor; as 'Angel with Harp' [35]
1968 Danger: Diabolik Yes Yes Yes Yes [35]
1970 Five Dolls for an August Moon Yes No Yes Yes Also editor [35]
Hatchet for the Honeymoon Yes Yes Yes No [41]
Roy Colt & Winchester Jack Yes No Yes Yes [35]
1971 Four Times That Night Yes No Yes Yes [35]
A Bay of Blood Yes Yes Yes Yes [35]
1972 Baron Blood Yes Yes No No [42]
1974 Lisa and the Devil Yes Yes No No [43]
1977 Shock Yes No Uncredited No [44]
1998 Rabid Dogs Yes No Uncredited No Filmed in 1974. [45]

Other production credits

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Year Title Contributed to Director Notes Ref(s)
DoP. Effects Other
1937 Scipio Africanus: The Defeat of Hannibal No No Uncredited Carmine Gallone Title designer [46]
1938 Doctor Antonio No No Uncredited Enrico Guazzoni Camera assistant
Princess Tarakanova No No Uncredited Fyodor Otsep

Mario Soldati

Giuseppe Verdi No No Uncredited Carmine Gallone
Inventiamo l'amore No No Uncredited Camillo Mastrocinque
1939 The Silent Partner Addtl. No No Roberto Roberti Additional photography
1940 La Comédie du bonheur No No Uncredited Marcel L'Herbier Camera assistant
1941 La compagna della teppa No No Uncredited Corrado D'Errico
Men on the Sea Floor Yes Yes No Francesco De Robertis
1942 Capitan Tempesta No No Yes Corrado D'Errico Camera assistant
The White Ship No Yes Yes Roberto Rossellini
Alfa tau! Addtl. Yes No Francesco De Robertis
1943 Uomini e cieli Addtl. Yes No
Annabella's Adventure Yes No No Leo Menardi
Sant'Elena, piccola isola Yes No No Umberto Scarpelli

Renato Simoni
1946 Montecassino nel cerchio di fuoco Addtl. No No Arturo Gemmiti
The Barber of Seville No No Uncredited Mario Costa Camera assistant
1947 Elisir d'amore Yes No No [29]
Christmas at Camp 119 Yes No No Pietro Francisci
1948 Mad About Opera Yes No No Mario Costa
Pagliacci Yes Yes No
1949 Antonio de Padova Yes Yes No Pietro Francisci
1950 My Beautiful Daughter Yes Yes No Duilio Coletti
The Lion of Amalfi Yes Yes No Pietro Francisci
The Knight Has Arrived! Yes Yes No Mario Monicelli

Steno
Song of Spring Yes Yes No Mario Costa
Her Favourite Husband Yes Yes No Mario Soldati
A Dog's Life Yes No No Mario Monicelli
Steno
1951 Cops and Robbers Yes No No
Amor non ho... però... però Yes No No Giorgio Bianchi
The Passaguai Family Yes Yes No Aldo Fabrizi
1952 The Passaguai Family Gets Rich Yes Yes No
Papà diventa mamma No Yes No
Sunday Heroes Yes No No Mario Camerini
1953 Sins of Rome Uncredited No No Riccardo Freda [47][48]
Perdonami! Yes No No Mario Costa [29]
Il viale della speranza Yes Yes No Dino Risi
Balocchi e profumi Yes No No F.M. De Bernardi
Natale Montillo
It Happened in the Park Yes No No Gianni Franciolini
1954 High School Yes No No Luciano Emmer
Cose da pazzi Yes Yes No G. W. Pabst
Graziella Yes No No Giorgio Bianchi
Hanno rubato un tram Yes Yes No Mario Bonnard
Aldo Fabrizi
Theodora, Slave Empress Addtl. Yes No Riccardo Freda [29][48]
1955 Buonanotte... avvocato! Yes No No Giorgio Bianchi [29]
Non ch'e amore piu grande Yes No No
Sins of Casanova Yes No No Steno
La donna piu bella del mondo Yes Yes No Robert Z. Leonard
Da qui all'ereditta Addtl. Yes No Riccardo Freda
1956 Beatrice Cenci No Yes No [49][28]
Nero's Mistress Yes No No Steno [29]
Roland the Mighty Yes Yes No Pietro Francisci [29][50]
1958 Hercules Yes Yes No [29][51]
Città di notte Yes No No Leopoldo Trieste
Toto in Paris Yes Yes No Camillo Mastrocinque [29]
1959 Hercules Unchained Yes Yes No Pietro Francisci [29][51]
Sheba and the Gladiator Uncredited No No Guido Brignone
Riccardo Freda
Michelangelo Antonioni		 [52]
The White Warrior Yes No No Riccardo Freda [53]
1962 The Witch's Curse No Uncredited No [54]
1980 Inferno No Uncredited No Dario Argento Bava created some optical effects, painted maquettes, and other trick shots. [55][56][57][58]

Television

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Year TitleContributed toNotesRef(s)
DirectorWriterDoP.Effects
1968 The Odyssey Yes No No Yes Miniseries; 2 episodes [29][59]
1979 The Devil's Game Yes No No No Miniseries; 1 episode [60][61]

See also

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References

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  1. 1 2 3 4 "Mario Bava Biography". Tripod.
  2. ↑ Howarth, Troy (2002). The Haunted World of Mario Bava. BearManor Media.
  3. ↑ "Mario Bava". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. 2007. Archived from the original on 3 November 2007.
  4. ↑ Pezzotta, Alberto (1995). Mario Bava. Milan: Il Castoro Cinema.
  5. ↑ Mario Bava: Maestro of the Macabre (2000)–MUBI
  6. ↑ "Where to begin with Mario Bava". British Film Institute. 29 July 2016. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
  7. ↑ "Mystery Science Theater 3000" Hercules Unchained (TV episode 1992)-IMDb
  8. ↑ "Mystery Science Theater 3000" Hercules (TV episode 1993)-IMDb
  9. ↑ Kehr, Dave (10 April 2007). "New DVDs". The New York Times. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  10. ↑ Curti 2015, p. 11.
  11. ↑ Celebrating the Non-Horror Work of Mario Bava—Nerdist
  12. ↑ All 24 Mario Bava Movies Ranked from Worst to Best - Page 3 - Taste of Cinema
  13. ↑ "Blu-ray Review: 'Friday the 13th Part 2' -". Bloody Disgusting!. 15 June 2009. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
  14. ↑ "Planet of the Vampires". Monthly Film Bulletin. 53 (624). London: 59–60. 1986. ISSN 0027-0407.
  15. ↑ Johnson, Gary. "The Golden-Age of Italian Horror: c. 1957-1979". imagesjournal.com. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
  16. ↑ "BAVA, Lamberto". bfi.org.uk. Archived from the original on 5 October 2013. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
  17. ↑ "Mario Bava: Maestro of the Macabre". TV Guide. Archived from the original on 3 October 2015. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  18. ↑ Shock Video: Tim Burton Talks His Love of Mario Bava - ComingSoon.net
  19. ↑ "The Stylish Horror of Mario Bava on Fandor". Archived from the original on 29 January 2022. Retrieved 6 November 2019.
  20. ↑ 10 Essential Mario Bava Films Every Horror Fan Should See — Taste of Cinema
  21. ↑ "Why your favorite directors love Mario Bava". Little White Lies.
  22. ↑ Why MST3K's Original Finale Is One of the Best Episodes Ever—Nerdist
  23. ↑ Mystery Science Theater 3000 – Time
  24. ↑ Viva Bava, Celebrating a Master Craftsman|Balder and Dash|Roger Ebert
  25. ↑ Best Sci-Fi Movies Mystery Science Theater 3000 Watched|Gizmodo
  26. ↑ Curti 2015, p. 21.
  27. ↑ Curti 2015, p. 23.
  28. 1 2 Curti 2017b, p. 313.
  29. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Lucas 2013, p. 1064.
  30. ↑ Lucas 2013, p. 216.
  31. ↑ Curti 2017b, p. 315.
  32. ↑ Kinnard & Crnkovich 2017, p. 60.
  33. ↑ Hughes 2011, p. 49.
  34. ↑ Curti 2015, p. 37.
  35. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Lucas 2013, p. 1065.
  36. ↑ Curti 2015, p. 78.
  37. ↑ Curti 2015, p. 79.
  38. ↑ "Credits". Black Sabbath (booklet). Arrow Films. 2013. p. 2. FCD778.
  39. ↑ Curti 2015, p. 102.
  40. ↑ Curti 2015, p. 159.
  41. ↑ Curti 2017, p. 19.
  42. ↑ Curti 2017, p. 53.
  43. ↑ Curti 2017, p. 84.
  44. ↑ Curti 2017, p. 177.
  45. ↑ Curti 2013, p. 115.
  46. ↑ Lucas 2013, p. 1063.
  47. ↑ Curti 2017b, p. 310.
  48. 1 2 Curti 2017b, p. 311.
  49. ↑ Curti 2017b, p. 312.
  50. ↑ Lucas 2013, p. 161.
  51. 1 2 Lucas 2013, p. 202.
  52. ↑ Curti 2017b, p. 296.
  53. ↑ Curti 2017b, p. 314.
  54. ↑ Curti 2017b, p. 318.
  55. ↑ Curti 2019, p. 18.
  56. ↑ Curti 2019, p. 19.
  57. ↑ Curti 2019, p. 26.
  58. ↑ Curti 2019, p. 27.
  59. ↑ Odissea (1968) | MUBI. Retrieved 17 September 2026 – via mubi.com.
  60. ↑ "The Devil's Game [2-Disc Blu-ray]". Severin Films. Retrieved 17 September 2026.
  61. ↑ "The Devil's Game". www.mondo-digital.com. Retrieved 17 September 2026.

Bibliography

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