La maschera del demonio

Not for the faint of heart! With crucifixions, scenes of torture, and masks lined with nails, Bava’s directorial debut is at times grotesquely violent while interwoven with the passion and eroticism typical of this genre, from smoldering looks to heaving cleavage. This cult film takes place across two time periods. The narrative begins in the 17th century, where Princess Asa (Barbara Steele) and her lover are crucified following accusations of witchcraft. Two centuries later, Asa manages to come back to life and seek her revenge, attempting to possess the body of her descendant Katia (also played by Barbara Steele). With its rich chiaroscuro lighting, LA MASCHERA DEL DEMONIO ignited a wave of Italian gothic horror films and is considered an early highlight of the genre.