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| The Mario Bava Collection, Volume 1 (Black Sunday / Black Sabbath / The Girl Who Knew Too Much / Kill Baby Kill / Knives of the Avenger) | 
 enlarge | Directors: Mario Bava, Salvatore Billitteri
Actors: Barbara Steele, John Richardson, Andrea Checchi, Ivo Garrani, Arturo Dominici
Studio: Starz / Anchor Bay
Category: DVD
List Price: $49.97
Buy New: $18.17
You Save: $31.80 (64%)
New (46) Used (10) from $18.17
Avg. Customer Rating:  17 reviews
Sales Rank: 17114
Format: Box Set, Color, Dvd-video, Ntsc
Languages: Italian (Original Language), English (Published)
Rating: Unrated
Number Of Items: 5
Running Time: 430
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.8 x 5.6 x 1.7
MPN: DV14854
UPC: 013131485493
EAN: 0013131485493
ASIN: B000MV8ABI
Theatrical Release Date: May 20, 1964
Release Date: April 3, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 great collection April 10, 2007
11 out of 13 found this review helpful
Sorry, but giving this set a bad rating just because the AIP-versions aren't included is stupid in my opinion.
This box includes 5 fantastic movies by Bava (yes, even "Knives Of The Avenger" is a great one) in overall amazing quality with very good bonus features. I believe there is a good reason that AB didn't include the different cuts of "The Girl Who Knew Too Much" and "3 Faces Of Fear": legal issues. If these are solved, hopefully we see these versions someday on DVD (though the only one that really interests me is "The Evil Eye". "Black Sabbath" would just be nice because of Karloff's own dubbing,
but everything else is clearly inferior to the italian version.)
Until then - enjoy what's IN this box, it is an amazing value for the cheap price. Of course many people who want to buy this, already may have different DVDs of some of the movies in there - so everyone must decide for themselves if it is worth getting.
Very Pleased Overall April 6, 2007
8 out of 13 found this review helpful
I'll echo what a previous reviewer wrote concerning the absence of the American International versions of "Mask of Satan" ("Black Sunday"), and "Three Faces of Fear" ("Black Sabbath"). I had fully anticipated their inclusion in this set. After watching the trailer, I know I'm going to need the AIP release "Black Sunday." What really sold me on this set was the opportunity to finally see and own the international edit of "Black Sabbath," and I was frankly unprepared for the vivid clarity of this transfer, and that of "Kill, Baby...Kill." It's great to finally have these films the way they were meant to be seen (however I'm not a fan of English or any other subtitles; English dubs would have been nice).
I haven't gotten around to watching "Knives of the Avenger" or "The Evil Eye," so I can't really weigh in on them. I've been generally pleased with the extras on these discs, the one caveat being the inclusion of the same trailers on each disc. Couldn't they have expanded this selection? As with so many other movie box sets in my collection, the package art's bizarre! Additionally, a decipherable illustration or two of Mario Bava would have been a fitting homage.
On VHS I have the AIP version of "Black Sabbath," and really enjoy it, but seeing this uncut Italian dub I can understand now why this was Bava's favorite film. It's very evident that AIP really went wild in the editing room--it's much more interesting in its original form. Having an educational commentary was also a selling point in my decision to shell out for this; honestly, I don't regret buying this set and I haven't even seen the whole thing yet. If you've been curious about the works of Mario Bava, and you don't mind the subtitles, you won't see finer transfers for his three best films (BLACK SABBATH, BLACK SUNDAY, AND KILL BABY KILL) included here.
However, having said all that, I have to put in a plug for the production of an edition of "Kill Baby Kill" with its killer new WS transfer, but in English and with Tim Lucas' commentary accompanying it. Another highly worthy title of Bava's deserving a more respectable issue is "Planet of the Vampires." When these two finally get the treatment they deserve, a large void will have been filled.
Hasta, and May the Force be With you!
 Bate and Swich April 6, 2007
8 out of 55 found this review helpful
(NO STARS)
This is not what I was promised in the add.
I will never buy anything "Anchor Bay" again!!!
Will these have the English Soundtrack on it? March 21, 2007
7 out of 12 found this review helpful
Particularly Black Sabbath. I want to hear Karloff's voice not some bad Italian actor dubbing it. The AIP version does suffer because of the reediting of the segmet dealing with the telephone. I would appreciate the intros to each segment and the Wurdelak episode to be in the actor's original English.
Finally... June 23, 2007
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
Kill Baby Kill is a flic choc full of foreboding atmosphere that can only be appreciated in the original wide-screen aspect. Contrary to Amazon's misleading information, this version IS widescreen with the option to view in Italian w/subtitles. The dubbed version is there for those who dislike subtitles. I paid 19.99 for an earlier crappy edition so needless to say I find this collection offered at 19.99 to be a gift from Amazon. Clear colors and sound make this DVD a joy to watch; great nostalgic fun. I can't wait to view the other titles, also in original theatric aspect, a bonus for me. Am I in Horror Heaven? (I bought an extra set as a present for a relative; no borrowing, please.)
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