The Black Cat is a 1989 horror film about a new movie production that inadvertently resurrects an ancient witch named Levana. She tries to take over our world so that evil can be spread everywhere, but the only one in her way is actress Anne, who is to play Levana in the movie. A battle between good and evil begins…
Written and directed by Luigi Cozzi (Paganini Horror; Contamination; Starcrash; The Killer Must Kill Again), the 21st Century Film Corporation-World Picture production stars Florence Guérin (Too Beautiful to Die; Faceless), Urbano Barberini (Opera; Gor; Demons), Caroline Munro (The Haunting of Margam Castle; Slaughter High; Maniac; Dracula A.D. 1972) and Brett Halsey (Demonia; Twice-Told Tales; Return of the Fly). Also known as Edgar Allan Poe’s The Black Cat and Demons 6.
The project originated as Daria Nicolodi‘s proposed third entry in the Three Mothers trilogy following Dario Argento‘s Suspiria (1977) and Inferno (1980). However, Nicolodi dropped out and Luigi Cozzi revamped the concept, adding his own unique take on the project. Producers 21st Century Film Corporation (headed by former Cannon co-owner Menahem Golan) apparently insisted on adding a connection to Edgar Allan Poe so a brief quote from his poem was inserted after the initial production wrapped.
“ …this would be self-reflective movie combines gory exploitation with meaningless in-jokes about the Italian schlock industry […] occasional cosmic trips are mixed in a cocktail that cashes in on the reputation of Argento’s far more stylish movies.” The Aurum Film Encyclopedia: Horror book
“Ultimately Cozzi’s talents and the budget at his disposal are not enough to meet the demands of this ambitious film. Respected stars such as Urbano Barberini and Brett Halsey help to generate interest, but for the most part, they’re working with inferior material. If viewers do manage to sit through the entire movie, they will be rewarded with another of the infamous science fiction scenes that earned the director the nickname “Cosmic Cozzi…” Jim Harper, Italian Horror: 1979 – 1994 book
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Choice dialogue:
“That man is no director, he’s a butcher. All he wants is blood, blood and more blood. And now and then, guts.”
“What am I doing here? What is this place? Just another dream? Another nightmare?”
Cast and characters:
Florence Guérin … Anne Ravenna
Urbano Barberini … Marc Ravenna
Caroline Munro … Nora
Brett Halsey … Leonard Levin
Luisa Maneri … Sara
Karina Huff … Esther Semerani
Alessandra Acciai … Nadine
Giada Cozzi … Sybil
Michele Marsina … Flora
Jasmine Maimone … Laura
Antonio Marsina … Fridge repairman
Maurizio Fardo … Dan Grudzinski (uncredited)
Michele Soavi … Carl – film director (uncredited)
Filming locations:
Rome, Lazio, Italy
Technical details:
89 minutes
Aspect ratio: 1.66: 1
Audio: Mono
Notes:
The screenplay references Konstantin Stanislavski, a Russian theatre practitioner who emphasised a technique in acting by which an actor strives to empathise with the character being portrayed so as to effect a realistic interpretation.
Trailer:
Free online on YouTube [1080p HD]:
Free online on YouTube [720p]:
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