This movie actually speeds up the soap's Barnabas storyline, covering a lot of familiar ground if you watched the show in the 60s. I love the Gothic trappings of this film and especially enjoyed the downbeat conclusion where no one is safe, no matter who you are.

Carmella is a vampiress I salivate over and her slow seduction of a virginal teen girl blossoming into a woman was exactly what I wanted while watching the movie. I am happy to own the MGM dvd which pairs this with Countess Dracula. Ingrid Pitt...my heart skips a beat.

Probably my favorite independent monster film shot on a shoestring. Because I love stop motion animation, this movie won me over, but I also applaud Criterion for giving this film a release even as elitists balked.

People talk about movies of today when batting around "torture porn", but "Mark of the Devil", in my opinion, is just as potent and shocking as anything that has been produced the last ten or so years. The torture devices used in the film, which I think authentically evokes the witch trials of the old Salem days in unflinching detail. Herbert Lom is one cold blooded bastard.

Some of the Franco faithful consider this a movie where he sells out as a means to try and reach a mainstream audience. I, on the other hand, feel he just wanted to prove he could make a Gothic horror film that was as equally good as the Hammer output. I think he succeeds, and with a miniscule budget, as well. When Lee says this is his best portrayal as the Count, I think that speaks for itself.

One of my favorite Hammer Draculas. I love how menacing Lee is here.

While I think this is a poor movie overall, I think the schlocky gore, the savagery in all its hokey glory, is worthy of viewing for those who seek out movies that base their entertainment value significantly in the extreme violence on screen. The characters have broad acting styles certain to give many of you the giggles.

I think the plot on paper is better than the actual movie, but Lynn Lowery has a GREAT scene in this. And, in my mind, the mere mention of her name warrants essential viewing. I love the over-the-top acting in this movie.

Freddie Francis has often been criticized as a poor director despite his accolades as a super cinematographer. I think Girly is an example of what he can do as director. Of course, the film is more about the demented, out-there family of sociopaths who take in lodgers, later killing them, but the humor is of the dark variety, black as pitch and certain to win over the hearts of many fans of horror.

This was my first Bava experience. Judging by my review for the movie, I loved it wholeheartedly. Not sure how the second viewing would be. Most think it is lesser Bava, some even consider it poor/crap. I have never paid too much mind to Bava's critics or those who consider his films dull throwbacks/wannabes of horror yesteryear. I think he was entering this decade willing to set his films in the modern era and embraces black comedy rather happily as evident with this demented movie.

People have to see this to believe it. Crazy as a loon. Those crazy Italians...I love 'em.