One things has to be said for the smaller DVD/Blu-ray
releasing companies. They are taking the time and putting the effort into
putting out some long lost films in the most gorgeous looking condition that
can be found anywhere. When these same films were released on video way back
when the worst looking prints were found and a quick buck was made. Now time is
being taken and the difference is visible with each new release. Some call it a
niche market. I call it a labor of love.
Garagehouse Pictures is just such a company and while their
releases come out slowly they are done to perfection. I mentioned a while back
their release of the film THE INTRUDER. Now they’ve released another film that
is worth picking up for fans of horror films, especially those made in Italy.
WEB OF THE SPIDER is a remake of the film CASTLE OF BLODD,
the much loved black and white Italian production that starred Barbara Steele.
Both films are directed by Antonio Margheriti under the pseudonym Anthony M.
Dawson.
The story revolves around a drunken Edgar Allan Poe (Klaus
Kinski) telling tales in a bar for drinks while in England. In walks Alan
Foster (Anthony Franciosa), a journalist who has been seeking out Poe for an
interview. They begin to talk about life, death and what happens after but
while Poe believes in ghosts Foster does not. Poe and his friend Thomas
Blackwood challenge Foster to put his money where his mouth is and suggest he
spend the night in the castle owned by Blackwood.
Foster takes the challenge and the three head to the castle.
He’s been told by Blackwood that no one has ever survived an overnight visit to
the castle on this night as it is All Hallow’s Eve. Foster scoffs at the idea
of the supernatural and the trio arrive at the gate and the pair leave Foster
to fend for himself. He gets through the front gate, walks through a cemetery
in front of the estate and finds his way in.
A quick walkthrough of the lower floors, a few passages
played on a harpsichord and soon he finds himself face to face with Elisabeth
Blackwood (Michele Mercier). She shows him around the estate, talking about
things that have happened there. Forster is intrigued by this beautiful woman
so much that he begins to fall in love with her.
But as the night moves forward things begin to happen. Where
once there were cobwebs and dust there is now a ballroom filled with guests
dancing away the night. Elisabeth is now in the arms of her husband as Forster
begins to witness the past before his eyes and learns that Elisabeth is not
what he thought but just one of many ghosts in the house.
As the night progresses Foster learns of what happened to
each of the various apparitions he sees before him. Will he survive the night?
Or is there some insidious reason that these wraiths have appeared before him,
some need they have for him to continue on with their own survival?
The movie is a classic styled gothic horror film from the
setting and costumes to the customs of the time, both past and present in the
tale. The sets in use are wonderfully detailed and bring to life the story that
unfolds. Not only that we’re offered the film in a widescreen presentation,
something that’s been missing for some time.
The acting is above what most would expect in a film with
this sort of topic. Franciosa was an underrated actor who should have garnered
better roles. Even so he put his all into the roles he had and it shows in this
one. Mercier is equally up to the task matching him from their first scenes
together to their last. And Peter Carsten as Dr. Carmus, a ghost who was once a
visitor like Forster does a great job as well.
Garagehouse Pictures is releasing this in the best version
you’ll ever be likely to find. The film has been fully restored and mastered
from an uncut, domestic theatrical negative and it shows. The clear, crisp,
clean image on view is amazing. In addition to that the film is loaded with
extras that include an audio commentary track with George Reis & Keith
Crocker, an audio commentary track by Stephen Romano, 2 German Super 8 movie
digests, an Antonio Margheriti trailer reel, deleted scenes, an uncut Italian
version of the film (non-high def), an art gallery, a collection of Garagehouse
Pictures trailers and it features new artwork by Stephen Romano.
Horror fans will want to add this one to their collections.
Fans of Italian horror films will be pleased to finally have this film
available in such great shape. It offers a sold evening’s worth of
entertainment and should please most. This is a great example of how good a
movie was being made at the time.
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