Baron Blood

Rating:
Summary: A fine film from Mario Bava
Review: "Baron Blood" is a very solid effort from Italian horror master Mario Bava. The film has the added bonus that it was made some fifteen plus years into his career. As a result, all of the Bava stylistic standbys are here (countless dramatic camera zooms, atmospheric lighting, bizarre and imaginative sets, and imaginative direction) and are executed with a growing assurance by Bava. The film's plot is rather standard fare (actually resembling the "Evil Dead" and "Equinox" storyline) about a bloodthirsty, long dead baron brought back to life by the living. When unleashed, he soon begins to take victims. The murders and scenes of suspense are all handled with proffesional ease by Bava, which makes for a fun and classy film. As always, Bava's excentricies transcend the admittedly formulaic plot, and his themes (a cursed family heritage,the occult and how people are drawn to it) add to the story. The only reason the film doesn't get five stars is it is not as accesible to non-Bava devotees as some of his other films. It helps immeasurably to already be well-versed in his style of filmmaking. Also, the pace of the film is rather uneven. Once again, this uneven pacing of Bava is typical, and it helps to know his style. Otherwise, this is a fine effort by one of the unsung masters of cinema.

Rating:
Summary: A fine film from Mario Bava
Review: "Baron Blood" is a very solid effort from Italian horror master Mario Bava. The film has the added bonus that it was made some fifteen plus years into his career. As a result, all of the Bava stylistic standbys are here (countless dramatic camera zooms, atmospheric lighting, bizarre and imaginative sets, and imaginative direction) and are executed with a growing assurance by Bava. The film's plot is rather standard fare (actually resembling the "Evil Dead" and "Equinox" storyline) about a bloodthirsty, long dead baron brought back to life by the living. When unleashed, he soon begins to take victims. The murders and scenes of suspense are all handled with proffesional ease by Bava, which makes for a fun and classy film. As always, Bava's excentricies transcend the admittedly formulaic plot, and his themes (a cursed family heritage,the occult and how people are drawn to it) add to the story. The only reason the film doesn't get five stars is it is not as accesible to non-Bava devotees as some of his other films. It helps immeasurably to already be well-versed in his style of filmmaking. Also, the pace of the film is rather uneven. Once again, this uneven pacing of Bava is typical, and it helps to know his style. Otherwise, this is a fine effort by one of the unsung masters of cinema.

Rating:
Summary: So-So
Review: A reasonably enjoyable film, enhanced by the presence of sexy Elke Sommer and talented Joseph Cotten. Although "Baron Blood" has the characteristic failings of horror films of that era, particularly the non-U.S. ones, I would say that it's superior to most of the others of that time, which tended to be inept and cheaply made.

Rating:
Summary: DISAPPOINTING BAVA.....
Review: Although it is certainly ambitious and contains the director's trademark visuals and style, this is not Bava's best work. With atmosphere to spare, you'd think it would be better than it is. But "Baron Blood" comes off as a bunch of steam over nothing. The "extra uncut footage" is nothing more than a couple of rather tame gore shots. A tired looking Joseph Cotton wheels around an ancient castle as some REALLY dumb dodos recite an incantation to bring back a 16th century sadist who returns and chases Elke Sommer around through colored fog. Sommer (who was utilized to much better advantage in Bava's masterpiece "Lisa & the Devil") has nothing much to do here but scream and run. Rest of cast is below par in unexciting roles and the "Baron" is a messy looking mask in a black hat and cloak that may or may not be Cotton! This is such a "PG" excercise that it's OK for older kids and a total waste of time for adults. Nothing really much happens that holds your attention for very long. So the best I can add is that it's for die-hard fans only and 12 year olds on up. What a waste....

Rating:
Summary: Baron Blood
Review: Baron Blood is a good example of Mario Bava's later directorial attempts,mediocre plot & story/ excellent production & film work.It lacks the scariness & atmosphere of earlier gems,The Mask of Satan(Black Sunday) & Black Sabbath.The movie is still pretty cool though & is a must for Bava fans.

Rating:
Summary: So-So
Review: BARON BLOOD is proof, I guess, that you can't go back. It appears to be an attempt to revisit the gothic horror of BLACK SUNDAY, but it fails miserably. Where BLACK SUNDAY is a piece of cinema steeped in eerie mood, BARON BLOOD is little more than a "monster chases girl" picture that fails to scare the viewer like other Bava films.

The color photography is largely at fault in this film as many scenes are simply too dark or too washed out in white light for the viewer to appreciate Bava's usual attention to detail. The color also detracts from the spookiness of the Baron as it revels a mediocre make-up job that's more silly than scary.

The premise of BARON BLOOD is tired by this point. Like BLACK SUNDAY and countless other gothic horror films, a seemingly innocent incantation revives an ancient evil which proceeds to wreak havoc in present day. Even though this story has been told a thousand times, Bava had been able to pull it off in the past through pure mastery of atmosphere. Here the emphasis rests largely on the "monster" and the rest of the cast seem one-dimensional and the viewer quickly loses interest.

There are merits, however, to this film, the key still being Bava's direction. Several shots are superbly staged and a pleasure to simply look at. And there are a number of memorable images, all of course related to the Baron's torture chamber and its numerous victims. Unfortunately, though, these elements make up little of the film and the viewer spends most of his/her time listening to Elke Sommer scream and/or watching Elke Sommer run through the mist, pursued by the boring Baron, who simply moves too damn nimbly for someone dead for several generations.

In closing, not a total loss for Bava fanatics, but certainly not a good starting point for the curious beginner - go for BLACK SUNDAY instead.

Rating:
Summary: Baron Bored
Review: BARON BLOOD is proof, I guess, that you can't go back. It appears to be an attempt to revisit the gothic horror of BLACK SUNDAY, but it fails miserably. Where BLACK SUNDAY is a piece of cinema steeped in eerie mood, BARON BLOOD is little more than a "monster chases girl" picture that fails to scare the viewer like other Bava films.

The color photography is largely at fault in this film as many scenes are simply too dark or too washed out in white light for the viewer to appreciate Bava's usual attention to detail. The color also detracts from the spookiness of the Baron as it revels a mediocre make-up job that's more silly than scary.

The premise of BARON BLOOD is tired by this point. Like BLACK SUNDAY and countless other gothic horror films, a seemingly innocent incantation revives an ancient evil which proceeds to wreak havoc in present day. Even though this story has been told a thousand times, Bava had been able to pull it off in the past through pure mastery of atmosphere. Here the emphasis rests largely on the "monster" and the rest of the cast seem one-dimensional and the viewer quickly loses interest.

There are merits, however, to this film, the key still being Bava's direction. Several shots are superbly staged and a pleasure to simply look at. And there are a number of memorable images, all of course related to the Baron's torture chamber and its numerous victims. Unfortunately, though, these elements make up little of the film and the viewer spends most of his/her time listening to Elke Sommer scream and/or watching Elke Sommer run through the mist, pursued by the boring Baron, who simply moves too damn nimbly for someone dead for several generations.

In closing, not a total loss for Bava fanatics, but certainly not a good starting point for the curious beginner - go for BLACK SUNDAY instead.

Rating:
Summary: Questions about this movie????
Review: I was very young when I THINK I saw this movie. Is there a scene where a guy is getting a Chinese Water Torture done to him? Also, is there a scene where the guy kills a poodle and serves him to the owner? Just wondering.. If so, GREAT MOVIE!!!

Rating:
Summary: Questions about this movie????
Review: I was very young when I THINK I saw this movie. Is there a scene where a guy is getting a Chinese Water Torture done to him? Also, is there a scene where the guy kills a poodle and serves him to the owner? Just wondering.. If so, GREAT MOVIE!!!

Rating:
Summary: Color Gothic
Review: Its hard for me to appreciate gothic horror set in modern times. Color takes away from gothic atmosphere as do planes, automobiles and electric lighting. The basic story is a good one and Bava does manage to pull off the gothic look, although not nearly as well as in earlier black and white films. Well acted and not a bad movie, just not as good as expected from Mario Bava.