A seductive witch returns from the grave for vengeance centuries after being tortured to death!
The Mask of Satan (1960) released in the USA after some major editing as Black Sunday was horror icon Barbara Steele’s first role. She played a vampire-witch who was impaled with an iron mask and buried, only to return centuries later to seek vengeance.
Steele’s troublemaking on set was legendary. She seemed to hate everyone. She repeatedly demanded costume alterations, resulting in four changes to her fangs (which ultimately were edited out), multiple wig changes, etc.
She objected to a scene in which her cleavage was going to be exposed. But after the director found a body double to substitute for her, Steele decided that she did not like the woman and proceeded to do the scene herself – wasting everyone’s time and money.
Later in life, after most of her co-stars had given interviews talking about her diva behaviors, Barbara admitted to having been a monster during the production.
However she went on to star in many other major horror films of her day, cementing her name and beauty in the minds of generations of horror fans.
This movie is known for its gorgeous, gothic imagery due to excellent set design, lighting and cinematography. Like all Italian films of its day, this movie was dubbed. It is credited with having been a major influence on subsequent Italian films in the spaghetti western and giallo genres.
Mysterio Rating: 3.5 out of 5.0 Skulls
