October 27, 2007

Lisa And The Devil (Bava, 1972)


I can confidently guarantee one thing about Lisa And The Devil*. Watching it for the first time, no matter how intelligent you are, or how well versed in Euro-horror you are, you will be confused. You will struggle to decipher the film's nonsensical narrative, and in your attempts, you will feel like you are grasping at straws. You will also get the sense that the film is the perfect approximation of a waking dream. Mario Bava's much maligned "art horror" masterpiece is a surreal hallucination put directly to celluloid. Sure, it might not make much sense at all upon first viewing, but give the film time (and a couple more viewings) and suddenly all the puzzle pieces fall beautifully into place.

*There are two extant versions of the film. Lisa And The Devil is Bava's preferred version. The other version is titled The House Of Exorcism, and it is a completely re-edited version, made to cash in on the success of The Exorcist.

Film Rating: A-
Scare Factor: D

View Date: 10/25
Shocktober Horror Film Count: #21

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