Im Blutrausch des Satans

Der Slasher als solcher trat offiziell erstmals 1974 mit dem Film Black Christmas auf, aber bereits drei Jahre zuvor entstand in Italien ein Film, der eine starke Inspiration für den berühmteren Freitag, der 13. war. Ein See, umgebende Wälder, Häuser und Hütten und viele potenzielle Opfer. Und es wird viele geben. Mario Bava ist ein erstklassiger Regisseur und Magier. Er zaubert wieder eine unglaubliche Atmosphäre hervor, spielt mit Farben (vorherrschend sind kräftiges Blau und Rot) und lässt endlich die gesamte Brutalität hervortreten, die den späteren Argento-Filmen wie Inferno in nichts nachsteht. Es wird viel, brutal gemordet, die Kamera weicht nie aus, alles diese köstlichen Gore-Szenen kann man ausgiebig und aus der Nähe genießen. Giallo tritt hier in den Hintergrund und etwas Neues entsteht, nämlich blutige Tötungsorgien mit einem Minimum an Überlebenden und einem schockierenden Ende. Das ist ein weiteres Horrorjuwel, das ich erst so spät entdeckt habe. Vielleicht habe ich die Bewertung ein wenig übertrieben, aber ich habe so viel Freude an diesem Film, dass ich nicht anders kann... (27.03.2011)

An incredibly convoluted and smart horror film! The gore scenes and the visual effects effects were unfortunately weak, very unsatisfying for today, but what manages to captivate is the fictional intricacies between the characters, with victims becoming murderers and such. The twists and turns and the plot are great, but as far as the horror aspect is concerned, it's rather below average. 50% (19.02.2014)

Mario Bava is undeniably one of the greatest and most influential horror directors of all time. His impact on the genre is immense, and A Bay of Blood is a prime example of his legacy. This film can be considered the grandfather of slashers, predating the slasher boom sparked by Carpenter's Halloween by almost a decade. Its influence is further cemented by the fact that the Friday the 13th series paid homage to it twice; both the first and second installments featured kills staged exactly like those in A Bay of Blood, selecting the two most memorable murders. For its time, A Bay of Blood stands out with its level of violence and gore, unabashedly presented in all its bloody glory. Bava not only directed the film masterfully but also handled the cinematography himself. Expect imaginative camera work and brilliant editing that elevate the film technically. The soundtrack, typical of many Italian horrors, enhances the atmosphere beautifully. The story might be convoluted, but it has a significant advantage – it never bores. It keeps you eagerly anticipating the next twist. The mystery aspect is excellent, keeping you guessing about the murderer and their motives. I dare say the plot is unique and full of surprises, culminating in a truly WTF ending that I didn't see coming. Initially, it might feel disappointing, but upon reflection, it’s a masterful middle finger to the audience. I can vividly imagine Bava's sly grin as he successfully incorporated it. A Bay of Blood is a hidden gem in Bava's filmography and deserves more recognition among his top works. (18.07.2019)

The ending of the film A Bay of Blood is truly well done and is sure to paint a look of surprise on your face, and perhaps even a smile, if you're not a staunch puritan and have a bit of a sense of humor. That's what the whole film is about, and in my opinion, it turned out very well. For its time, it is a unique work that wouldn't be out of place in contemporary productions. Additionally, all the effects are practical, not pixelated. (27.06.2015)

Utterly uninteresting for modern standards. Sometimes I wish I could watch these forgotten films at the time they came out, I’d love to see how my opinion would change. (23.04.2010)