***SPOILERS!*** The work of Edgar Allan Poe has been brought to screen on many occasions, most brilliantly by Roger Corman with seven films starring the great Vincent Price in the early sixties. Poe's story "The Black Cat", in particular, has been filmed on various occasions, most memorably probably by Sergio Martino, with his 1972 Giallo-masterpiece "Your Vice Is A Locked Room and only I Have The Key". While it has hardly anything to do with Edgar Allan Poe's story, "Gatto Nero" aka. "Black Cat" (1980) is a creepy and unusual film by Lucio Fulci, which is especially interesting for its uncanny Gothic atmosphere.
A small English village has been struck by a series of bizarre murders. After the investigating Scotland Yard Inspector Gorley (David Warbeck) asks Jill (Mimsy Farmer), an American photographer, for her help it soon becomes clear that the black cat of the local psychic Professor Miles (Patrick Magee) was involved in all the crimes. Miles, who has psychic powers, is suspected of being responsible for the murders, but it seems as if his cat is also committed to killing her owner... In this rare case, a vengeful or evil character of a cat is not merely suggested, but the cat is actually a murderous key character of the film. The storyline may not always be 100% logical, but it is definitely intriguing, and the film maintains a creepy atmosphere from the beginning. The English village is a great setting, and the murderous black cat is actually a villain far more vicious and interesting than one might imagine. Partick Magee ("A Clockwork Orange", "Masque Of The Red Death",...) is great as always in his creepy role. Beautiful Mimsy Farmer, a regular female lead in Italian Horror films ("Four Flies On Grey Velvet", "Autopsy", "The Perfume Of The Lady In Black",...), fits in her role well, and is nice to look at as always (even though she keeps her clothes on this time). The cast also includes David Warbeck and Al Cliver, both of whom are regulars of Italian Horror/Exploitation productions. This is not nearly one of Fulci's goriest films, but there are still a bunch of well-done and pretty nasty gore scenes. The best aspects of the film are doubtlessly its stylish Gothic looks, genuinely creepy atmosphere and brilliant score as well as the incredibly sinister Patrick Magee and the premise of a murderous cat. Overall, "The Black Cat" is not one of the absolute must-sees by Fulci, but it is definitely an original, creepy and highly atmospheric flick that should not be missed by lovers of Italian Horror. Highly recommended!
A small English village has been struck by a series of bizarre murders. After the investigating Scotland Yard Inspector Gorley (David Warbeck) asks Jill (Mimsy Farmer), an American photographer, for her help it soon becomes clear that the black cat of the local psychic Professor Miles (Patrick Magee) was involved in all the crimes. Miles, who has psychic powers, is suspected of being responsible for the murders, but it seems as if his cat is also committed to killing her owner... In this rare case, a vengeful or evil character of a cat is not merely suggested, but the cat is actually a murderous key character of the film. The storyline may not always be 100% logical, but it is definitely intriguing, and the film maintains a creepy atmosphere from the beginning. The English village is a great setting, and the murderous black cat is actually a villain far more vicious and interesting than one might imagine. Partick Magee ("A Clockwork Orange", "Masque Of The Red Death",...) is great as always in his creepy role. Beautiful Mimsy Farmer, a regular female lead in Italian Horror films ("Four Flies On Grey Velvet", "Autopsy", "The Perfume Of The Lady In Black",...), fits in her role well, and is nice to look at as always (even though she keeps her clothes on this time). The cast also includes David Warbeck and Al Cliver, both of whom are regulars of Italian Horror/Exploitation productions. This is not nearly one of Fulci's goriest films, but there are still a bunch of well-done and pretty nasty gore scenes. The best aspects of the film are doubtlessly its stylish Gothic looks, genuinely creepy atmosphere and brilliant score as well as the incredibly sinister Patrick Magee and the premise of a murderous cat. Overall, "The Black Cat" is not one of the absolute must-sees by Fulci, but it is definitely an original, creepy and highly atmospheric flick that should not be missed by lovers of Italian Horror. Highly recommended!