Spirits of Death is a 1972 Italian mystery horror thriller photographed and directed by Romano Scavolini (Nightmares in a Damaged Brain). Produced by Franca Luciani.
The KMG Cinema-Rewind Film production stars Evelyn Stewart [Ida Galli], Ivan Rassimov (Deep River Savages), and Luigi Pistilli (A Bay of Blood; Tragic Ceremony).
German label Camera Obscura issued the film on Blu-ray in 2014 with a commentary track by Christian Kessler and Marcus Stiglegger, an extended interview ‘Esoteric & Cryptic’ with director Romano Scavolini, and a booklet, in both German and English, from Kai Neumann.
Plot:
As a child, Mariale witnesses her father kill her mother…. years later, she spends her life with little contact from the outside world living in a gloomy castle. One day, however, Mariale decides to invite some friends over the weekend, but as the decadent party turns into an unbridled bacchanalian event the first gruesome murder occurs…
Although the film is often described as a Giallo thriller, Italian film historian Roberto Curti has stated it only becomes a violent murder mystery about an hour into the film. Curti explained that the Giallo trademarks of violent murders and a twist ending are marginal when compared to other films of the genre at the time. Curti opined the film was one like a perverse chamber play which borrowed from both Gothic and avant-garde theatre. Furthermore, he stated that Scavolini’s direction and Fiorenzo Carpi’s score “cannot overcome the script’s many shortcoming–namely, sketchily developed characters, pretentious dialogue, heavy-handed symbolism.” Scavolini has referred to the film as a film “which only deserves to be forgotten”.
Reviews:
“… in later years Scavolini went on to say that Spirits of Death was better forgotten and mainly a work for hire for him. It’s actually a terrific film, the sort of outrageous fusion of horror tropes and flamboyant experimental techniques that resulted in some of the more memorable ’70s shockers, and as anyone who’s seen an interview with Scavolini can attest, his colorful opinions aren’t necessarily the best point of reference.” Mondo Digital
“Not the fastest paced Giallo ever made, Spirits of Death takes a little while to get going but more than makes up for a slow first half with a bizarre second half filled with a few gruesome murders, wild gothic ambiance and even a little bit of kinky interracial lesbianism for good measure. Shot with a keen eye of weird compositions and showcasing some excellent use of odd color, this is a fantastic looking film.” Rock! Shock! Pop!
“The result is like an epilogue of the hippie generation, watching these 20-something free spirits cavort about the castle, breaking into psychedelic freak-out dances and dinnertime orgies. All symbols of a culture that has no possible alternative fate but to eat itself. As her friends fall away, one-by-one, Mariale and Paolo stand nearly alone until the conclusion, as elected witnesses for the death of these friends and the values they represent.” Twitch Film
Italian trailer:
Cast and characters:
Ida Galli [as Evelyn Stewart] … Marialè/Marialè’s mother; Luigi Pistilli … Paolo; Ivan Rassimov … Massimo; Pilar Velázquez … Mercedes; Edilio Kim … Gustavo; Gengher Gatti … Osvaldo the butler ; Giancarlo Bonuglia … Jo; Gianni Dei … Marialé’s mother’s lover; Ezio Marano … Sebastiano; Shawn Robinson … Semy; Franco Calogero … Marialé’s father; Carla Mancini … Woman reading a book
Filming locations:
Palazzo Borghese, Artena, Rome, Lazio, Italy
Technical specs:
1 hour 32 minutes
Audio: Mono
Aspect ratio: 2.35: 1
