Watch The Long Hair of Death

The Long Hair of Death is a 1965 Italian Gothic horror film, directed by Antonio Margheriti and starring Barbara Steele, George Ardisson, and Halina Zalewska. The film opens with a grim scene of religious persecution, as a young woman is accused of witchcraft and sentenced to death by fire. Her mother, Lucrezia (Steele), is powerless to save her, and curses the townspeople who have condemned her daughter to such a gruesome fate. Lucrezia is also condemned to death, but she manages to escape the flames and flee into the nearby woods. Years later, Lucrezia returns to the town with a new identity and a thirst for revenge.

The town is now ruled by the cruel and corrupt Baron Kurt Humboldt (Ardisson), who is in love with Mary (Zalewska), the daughter of a rich merchant. Mary, however, is secretly in love with a young artist named Hans (Nello Pazzafini). Hans and Mary's father are both sympathetic to Lucrezia's plight, but are powerless to stop the Baron's reign of terror.

As the body count rises and the town is plunged into darkness, Lucrezia begins to reveal herself, using her long hair and her supernatural powers to exact her vengeance. But the Baron is a formidable foe, and Lucrezia soon realizes that she may have to make the ultimate sacrifice to defeat him.

The Long Hair of Death is a lushly atmospheric film, with striking cinematography and a moody score by Carlo Rustichelli. Barbara Steele, who had previously appeared in several other Gothic horror films, is mesmerizing as Lucrezia, with her jet-black hair, piercing eyes, and ethereal beauty. George Ardisson is suitably sinister as the Baron, while Halina Zalewska is luminous as Mary.

Although the film has some gruesome scenes, including the burning at the stake, it is more atmospheric than gory, relying on suspense and suggestion to create its scares. The film is also notable for its feminist subtext, as Lucrezia is a strong and independent woman who refuses to be silenced by the oppressive society around her.

Overall, The Long Hair of Death is a stylish and haunting horror film that will appeal to fans of Gothic horror and Italian cinema. It is also a landmark film in the career of Barbara Steele, who remains one of the iconic actresses of the genre.

The Long Hair of Death is a 1964 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2.