Chad

numbercrunch

Bava's Gialli film is a precursor to Friday the 13th in my opinon. One could argue the first Friday film is remake of Bay of Blood both in setting and kills. The body count is high in this one and the gore as well. 8/10

exharrison

I knew pretty much nothing about this other than it was on Shudder and I felt like watching something new. Did not disappoint. I don't know if I'll watch it much in the future, but I really did enjoy this first time viewing.

Toddarino

Another one I’ve owned for years in a Bava box set and never popped in. It was just ok to me. I think it’s because I disliked everyone and just kept waiting for their comeuppance. I did enjoy the ending.

mallratcal

that’s exactly what I thought when I first watched it and Tom Savini definitely payed… homage to some of the kills.

The ending of the movie makes me laugh every time I see it.

clckworang

Not my favorite Bava but I do really like the film. As far as Bava giallo films go, I think Blood and Black Lace is a better movie, but I've probably revisited Bay of Blood more times. F13 definitely copped some scenes from this. I think the thing I love the most about the ending is the cheerful little song that plays after the kids run off to play. After all of the violence and killing, it's just such a funny end note.

SterlingBen

The old everyone did it.

brainee

I prefer Bava's gothic movies, but still enjoy what this brings to the table. Sure, all of the characters are horrible people and there's not much to the story (besides everyone killing each other for the Bay property). But Bava's style still shines (despite being so low budget that he had to shoot tracking shots by putting the camera on a child's wagon). The murder set-pieces are memorable, and hugely influential. And despite the body count and gore there's a darkly humorous tone (especially in that ending scene).

exharrison

That definitely got a chuckle out of me when it started playing.

WillieMLF

Yes, me too. After 1.5 hours of people who were working hard to get you to dislike them, the end seemed like a real relief. Some really funny lines and Paolo's obsession with his beetles had me laughing too. First time view, and quite enjoyed it and surprised it took me this long to watch it.

wishbone

My second viewing and it was still difficult trying to keep everyone and their agendas straight. Great use of the house estate set piece and a highly influential film as previously stated.

Undeadcow

Famous for inspiring the kills in Friday the 13th (also the curiously similar date of February 13th); those kills and the slasher precusor elements (morality elements, scenic landscapes, etc) are the best part about the film which I don't think is one of Bava's greatest. The plot is strange and really takes on a life of it's own outside of the murders on the screen perhaps being a little too complicated or self important for a film most redeemed by gore.
The ending is a lot of stupid fun; more films should end on a random crazy bizarre note.

Spiderbite

Exactly this. Which is probably why I didn't care for it very much. Almost like a zany madcap whodunnit except everyone did it and none of the characters are interesting. Granted some of the kills are which is why this movie is still being talked about. Friday The 13th Parts I & II definitely owe a debt to this film.

I probably would have liked it more had I grown up with it but just having finally seen it (if I have viewed it before, I have totally forgotten it), it is a situation of a "seen it all before" issue. Granted it is the Granddaddy but unfortunately it is a stale, non-sensical Granddaddy that doesn't hold up well today.

Not to be too crude but the biggest surprise to me about this movie (besides the wacked out ending of course), was the fact that the naked redhead appeared to be bare down there! Were my eyes deceiving me? It was just really noticeable since most women had a bush up to their bellybutton during this period.

And that ending. What the fuck? Talk about out of left field. But it actually caused me to bump it up half a star just because of it. Fucking crazy and hilarious.

My rating: **1/2 out of *****

Trevor

Kinda non-sensical story but the crazy kills and occasional fun moments make this one an enjoyable somewhat regular viewing for me.

Stealing rbrown’s subset ranking idea:

The Phantom Carriage, 8/10
The Spiral Staircase, 8/10
A Bay of Blood, 7/10
Road Games, 7/10
Slither, 7/10
Silent Madness, 5/10
The Severed Arm, 4/10