THE LONG HAIR OF DEATH Barbara Steele! Free online

The Long Hair of Death is a 1964 Italian gothic horror film about a woman suspected of witchcraft who is burned alive. Her curse brings her back from the dead seeking revenge.

The movie was directed by Antonio Margheriti (Cannibal Apocalypse; Seven Deaths in the Cat’s Eyes; The Virgin of Nuremberg) from a screenplay co-written with Tonino Valerii (director of giallo My Dear Killer), based on a story by prolific  Ernesto Gastaldi.

The Cinegai S.p.A. production stars Barbara Steele, Giorgio Ardisson and Halina Zalewska.

Plot:
September 1499. Adele Karnstein is burned at the stake, accused of being a witch who has murdered Count Franz Humboldt.

Lisabeth, the woman’s youngest daughter, lives in the Humboldt castle and when she grows up she is forced to marry the deceased man’s nephew, Kurt Humboldt, whom is the real murderer…

The film was released on Blu-ray in the UK by 88 Films on 24 July 2017.

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[spoilers] “With some editing, this could be a pretty good movie. The revenge/ghost/witch plot is always watchable, and there’s some plague subplotting (it takes place in the 15th century) that is always appreciated. Plus the movie is more or less about a guy who wants to kill his wife so he can be with her sister, so that’s hot. And the weird Wicker Man style thing that the bad guy is burned alive in at the end of the film is pretty awesome.” Horror Movie a Day book

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“Aside from a few well-realised set-pieces, and a conspicuously grim case of poetic justice at the climax, the action tends to be rather stiff and somnolent, as if the perpetually busy Margheriti was feeling a bit burned out and couldn’t muster the requisite enthusiasm.” Jonathan Rigby, Euro Gothic  book

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“Subtlety and atmosphere are great, but not for 98 minutes! Here, we are treated to many enticing images of the 15th century castle in dim candlelight, but far too much time is consumed by walking one way, walking the next, chit-chatting between important scenes, etc. All punctuated by the same echoing theremin-style organ notes.” David Elroy Goldweber, Claws & Saucers book

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“There are some fine shots of a white-robed Zulewska wandering through the medieval castle with shafts of lights falling from high windows, and Steele’s presence alone suffices to life such fantasy well above the average, especially when here role combines eroticism and vengeful menace directed against brutally callous men.” Phil Hardy (editor), The Aurum Film Encyclopedia: Horror book

Cast and characters:
Barbara Steele as Helen Rochefort / Mary + Piranha; Shivers; Castle of Blood; Black Sunday
Giorgio Ardisson as Kurt Humboldt
Halina Zalewska as Adele Karnstein/Lisabeth Karnstein
Giuliano Raffaelli as Count Humboldt
Laura Nucci as Grumalda
Umberto Raho as Von Klage
Nello Pazzafini as the Servant

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Filming locations:
Massimo Castle, Arsoli, Italy

Some image credits: The Telltale Mind

Trailer:

Watch free online on YouTube [4K]:

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