Elite Facts Presents
8 Scary Italian Horror Films You Need to Watch
8.
-Zombi 2 Let’s start the list with the most obvious
film.
Zombi 2 (Otherwise known as Zombie and Zombie Flesh Eaters).
Zombi 2 was made as a simple cash grab to cash in on the success of George A. Romero’s
recent hit, Dawn of the Dead, Which is known as Zombi over in Italy.
Although this film started off the whole unofficial sequel fiasco during the 1980’s, Zombi 2
is one of the very few films that has earned the right of being called a true sequel to
the film series they’re adding to.
Zombi was made by Lucio Fulci and was intended as a sequel to Dawn of the Dead.
This film uses very similar themes with how the zombies act but changes the setting to
the caribbean.
Because of this change in scenery, This allowed Fulci to give the film a sort of “Voodoo”
vibe as it is implied that these zombies have returned to life due to some sort of black
magic.
This film is know for some of its brutality but more importantly it was able to have a
scene in the film where a zombie fights a shark underwater.
We’ve mentioned this scene multiple times in a few of our lists but it is a very noteworthy
scene because As silly as it sounds, The scene itself shows how dangerous the undead can
be by showing it take on one of earth's natural predators…….That and saying “Zombie
vs Shark” is enough to sell tickets to people.
7.
-Suspiria Okay before we move forward, We just need
to say that Dario Argento is going to appear multiple times over the course of this list.
Fulci and Himself are pretty much the kings of the Italian Horror Film Genre…….If
it can even be classed as a genre.
Anyway, Suspiria may be the most artistically beautiful horror film to come out of italy
(and technically germany due to the film’s setting and filming location).
The film is centered around a girl by the name of Suzy Bannion (Played by Jessica Harper)
who is an American ballet student who transfers to a prestigious dance academy in Germany.
Upon her arrival, she quickly realizes that the academy is a front for something far more
sinister and supernatural as many of her classmates disappear over the course of the film’s
run time.
Even though this film has some pretty gruesome segments like the barbwire room scene, It
still manages to look beautiful as the film is presented with vibrant colors during it’s
darker segments whilst managing to keep the atmosphere consistently creepy throughout
the film.
Also Goblin who are known for creating the soundtrack to George A. Romero’s Dawn of
the Dead also score the soundtrack for this film and it is pretty damn great!
Unfortunately Suspiria is receiving a remake this year starring Dakota Johnson, Chloë
Grace Moretz and Tilda Swinton, and with Harper returning in a secondary role.
Hopefully this is one of the rare instances in which a remake of a horror film turns out
good.
6.
-Demons Another Dario Argento film?
Sure why not!
Demons is technically classed as a zombie film, Although takes a rather unique and refreshing
approach to what was an already saturated genre.
Even though these creatures are literally demons ( i mean…..it’s literally the title
of the film), They function very similarly to zombies in a sense that when you’re bitten
or scratched by one of these creatures, you will become one of them and join the hordes.
The interesting thing about this film is how they use media in bringing these demons into
reality like how the first film, a bunch of unlucky citizens are given preview tickets
to see the latest blockbuster horror film entitled _Demons_…
Yep, they went there.
With the film being screened at a new cinema renovated from an old gothic structure, The
main character, Cheryl and her best friend decide to skip music class to see the movie.
One of the film goers ends up accidentally cutting their face on a mask in the lobby.
Although just seeming like a promotional item for the film, the mask is linked to the film.
When the film starts playing, the woman’s cut begins triggering off her transformation
into one of the film’s demons.
From there on out, it’s just carnage!
5.
-Phenomena Dario Argento does it again with yet another
fantastic film to add to his reputation.
So Suspiria was a very colorful and yet darkly lit film that gave us quite a unique yet scary
atmosphere.
Phenomena on the other hand (Which is also know in other countries as Creepers), goes
for a classic approach by having dark blues, greys and browns for its environments and
lighting.
Even though this stylistic choice is a drastic departure from Argento’s other films like
Suspiria and Inferno, It still manages to maintain a pretty damn creepy atmosphere.
Phenomena is set In Switzerland and follows a teenager by the name of Jennifer Corvino,
daughter of a famous actor, arrives in an expensive board school and shares her room
with the French schoolmate Sophie.
Jennifer is a sleepwalker, is capable of telepathically communicate with insects and has adaptation
problem in the new school.
While sleepwalking, she meets and becomes friend of a Scottish entomologist, Prof. John
McGregor, and his chimpanzee Tonga.
Jennifer decides to help the investigation of Dr. McGregor about a criminal who is executing
young girls in that area.
This film is a must see for any fans of the horror genre.
Definitely check it out.
Fun fact: Did you know that the plot to Phenomena directly inspired the Super Famicom game,
Clock Tower?
4.
-The Beyond Considered by many to be Lucio Fulci’s greatest
work, The Beyond.
The Beyond is the second film in Lucio Fulci’s Gates of Hell trilogy (With City of the Living
Dead being the first and The House by the Cemetery being the last).
The film follows native new york resident, Liza Merril who inherits an old hotel in Louisiana
where, following a series of supernatural "accidents", she learns that the building
was built over one of the entrances to Hell.
Now the plot seems pretty basic enough but what accompanies the film is the a dark and
brooding atmosphere that is a quintessential when it comes to Fucli’s work.
Definitely check it out.
3.
-Black Sunday So quick break from Argento and Fulci, We
have an italian horror film from way back in 1960 directed by Mario Bava called Black
Sunday (Otherwise known as The Mask of Satan and Revenge of the Vampire).
The Plot revolves around a witch who was also a vampire who was executed over 200 years
ago.
Princess Asa Vajda is then resurrected when two travelers, Prof. Thomas Kruvajan and Dr.
Andre Gorobec, accidentally disturb her abandoned tomb.
At the time of her execution, the princess swore vengeance against her accuser, her brother,
and all of his descendants.
She quickly resurrects her lover and turns Kruvajan into her vampire servant.
When she learns that the present day Princess Katia is identical to her, she sets out to
get control of the young woman.
This film is without a doubt one of the most atmospheric films not only just on this list
but on of the most atmospheric films in the horror genre in general.
Not bad for a film that’s nearing 60 years old huh?
2.
-Black Sabbath Mario Bava makes another appearance on this
list with his anthology film “Black Sabbath”.
This film contains 3 stories.
The Drop of Water" concerns a nurse who steals a ring off a dead spiritualist, only to have
the corpse seek revenge.
"The Telephone" features a prostitute who is terrorized by phone calls from a dead client.
"The Wurdalak" stars Boris Karloff as a vampire who feeds on the blood of his loved ones.
We’ll be honest, use describing each story in depth wouldn’t do the film any justice.
If you’re into italian horror films, This is most certainly one you should check out.
It’s a necessity.
Fun little fact: This film is so iconic that legendary heavy metal band “Black Sabbath”
named themselves after it.
1.
-Inferno Wow how many times is Dario Argento going
to appear on this list?
Well to be fair, When it comes to Italian Horror films, It’s either his name or Lucio
Fulci’s name that is brought up.
We’ll have to make a part 2 in the future to showcase other directors.
Anyway, Inferno is considered by many people to be a spiritual sequel to Argento’s previous
film, Suspiria, As they both have a similar premise.
This one focuses on a Young poetess Rose Elliot buys a book from a local antique dealer, a
diary in Latin of an architect, E. Varelli.
She learns of the Three Mothers, and believes her apartment building is one of their houses.
She pleads her brother Mark, who is studying musicology in Rome, to come, because she is
afraid.
Mark's friend Sara reads her letter, which he left behind in class, and discovers the
school is run by the Mater Lacrimarum, and is disposed of for this knowledge.
The house of Mater Suspiriorum has already been destroyed, and by the time Mark arrives
in New York City, he is investigating his sister's murder.
So you can see the similarities between Inferno and Suspiria what with it focusing on a gift
young person in a certain form of art and having to deal with the supernatural horrors
that lie ahead of them.
Much like Suspiria and any of Argento’s other work, The cinematography in this film
is just outstanding as it takes a similar approach to suspiria with the bright colors
whilst also maintaining a dark atmosphere.
Only this film takes that and turns it up to 11.
This film just looks stunning!
Tell us what italian horror films you like in the comments section below.
We’d love to hear other cult classics.
Thanks for watching.