Watch Black Sunday

Black Sunday is a 1960 horror film directed by Mario Bava and starring Barbara Steele, John Richardson, and Andrea Checchi. The movie is set in 17th century Europe and revolves around the story of two cursed lovers - the witch Asa Vajda and her descendent Katia Vajda. At the start of the film, we see a witch and her accomplice being sentenced to death by the Inquisition. Asa Vajda, the witch, is masked and whipped before being burned alive, along with her accomplice. Before their execution, Asa vows to return and seek revenge on the descendants of those who sentenced her. Asa’s face is permanently disfigured due to the whipping, and her curse is that she will always return in a different body (of a woman who resembles her) and seek revenge for her own painful death.

From there, Black Sunday takes us to the 19th century, where we meet Dr. Andre Gorobec and Princess Katia Vajda, who resembles the cursed witch Asa. Katia is the last of the Vajda family, and she’s planning to visit her ancestral castle in the Carpathian Mountains. Gorobec, who’s immediately infatuated with Katia, joins her on her journey. While Katia is fascinated by the history of her family, Gorobec is skeptical about the supernatural elements surrounding the Vajda family.

At the castle, they meet Prince Vajda and his scheming servant, Constantine. Prince Vajda claims that the castle has been deserted for centuries, and he knew nothing about the history of his family. However, Constantine is quick to narrate the gruesome legend of Asa Vajda and her curse. As the story progresses, Katia becomes possessed by the spirit of the resurrected Asa, who’s returned to fulfil her vow of revenge.

Asa’s wrath starts to claim one victim after another, and Gorobec finds himself fighting for their lives against the supernatural forces of Asa. The film builds up the tension with its eerie music, dark cinematography, and haunting atmosphere. It’s a classic Gothic horror film that has all the elements of terror and suspense one would expect in a horror movie.

The performances of the cast are great, but the movie is truly stolen by the striking and terrifying portrayal of Barbara Steele as Asa Vajda. Her character is simultaneously seductive and frightening, and her haunting presence is felt throughout the film. John Richardson stands out as Gorobec, the protagonist who’s trying to resist the supernatural forces around him, and Andrea Checchi does a great job as Prince Vajda, the warped descendant of the cursed family.

Mario Bava's direction is masterful, and his use of light, shadow, and color is fantastic. The film captures the essence of classic horror and the Gothic genre. It’s sexy, violent, and eerie all at the same time. It’s a film that could be described as both artful and terrifying.

Black Sunday’s legacy is impressive, and it’s often considered one of the greatest horror films ever made. It has influenced countless other horror movies and has been an inspiration for other filmmakers. Its exceptional storytelling and stunning visuals continue to captivate viewers even today.

Overall, Black Sunday is an iconic, must-see horror movie that is sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone who watches it. It’s a film that still stands the test of time after more than 60 years since its original release. Whether you’re a horror enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, Black Sunday is a classic that you should not miss.

Black Sunday is a 1961 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 27 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1.