This is the night of the nightmare… the day of the undead!
Black Sabbath (1963) presents three chilling tales of murder, supernatural terror, and psychological suspense, each revealing the dark side of human nature. From cursed objects to vengeful spirits, the stories intertwine fear, obsession, and deadly secrets. This Italian horror anthology blends suspenseful storytelling, eerie atmosphere, and macabre visuals in a tale of terror, retribution, and the unknown.
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The film allows Bava to explore his favorite styles of horror and suspense, thanks to the short form of the three episodes, and it shows him working at the absolute top of his game. … In the context of the giallo, the film’s segment “The Telephone” is of great interest. It is the first of Bava’s color gialli (indeed, it is the first authentic giallo in color, period) and it evokes a seedy, downbeat mood which is far more in keeping with the genre’s tone compared to the light and tongue-in-cheek The Girl Who Knew Too Much (1963).
Troy Howarth, So Deadly, So Perverse: 50 Years of Italian Giallo Films, Volume 1, 1963-1973 (Midnight Marquee Press, 2015)
Selected disc options for Black Sabbath
| Extras | Scream Factory BD-A/US 2025 | Kino BD-A/US 2023 | Kino BD-A/US/OOP 2015 | Kino BD-A/US/OOP 2013 | Arrow BD-B/UK/OOP 2013 | Anchor Bay DVD-1/US/OOP 2007 | Image DVD-0/US/OOP 2000 |
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| Audio Commentary by Tim Lucas [Italian Version] | has extra | has extra | |||||
| Audio Commentary by Tim Lucas [US Version] | has extra | has extra | |||||
| Audio Commentary by Bill Bria | has extra | ||||||
| Audio Commentary by Brian Keiper | has extra | ||||||
| Audio Commentary by Matt Baxter, Blake Smith and Dr. Karen Stollznow | has extra | ||||||
| Audio Commentary by Meagan Navarro | has extra | ||||||
| Introduction by Alan Jones | has extra | ||||||
| Twice the Fear | has extra | ||||||
| Una Vita Nel Cinema (A Life in Film) - Interview with Actor Mark Damon | has extra | has extra | |||||
| Trailers from Hell with Mick Garris | has extra | ||||||
| Stills Gallery | has extra | has extra | |||||
| Stills Gallery [Scream Factory] | has extra | ||||||
| Biography: Actor Boris Karloff - Written by Richard Harland Smith | has extra | ||||||
| Biography: Director Mario Bava [Anchor Bay] - Written by Richard Harland Smith | has extra | ||||||
| Biography: Director Mario Bava [Image] - Written by Tim Lucas | has extra | ||||||
| Filmography: Actor Boris Karloff | has extra | ||||||
| Filmography: Director Mario Bava | has extra | ||||||
| International Theatrical Trailer | has extra | has extra | has extra | has extra | |||
| Italian Theatrical Trailer | has extra | has extra | |||||
| US Theatrical Trailer | has extra | has extra | has extra | has extra | has extra | ||
| US TV Spot | has extra | has extra | has extra | ||||
| US Radio Spot | has extra | has extra |
Notes
- Scream Factory’s Blu-ray is included in “The Mario Bava Collection” box set with Black Sunday (1960), The Girl Who Knew Too Much (1963), Kill, Baby… Kill! (1966), Knives of the Avenger (1966), Five Dolls for an August Moon (1970), Roy Colt & Winchester Jack (1970), A Bay of Blood (1971), Four Times that Night (1971), Baron Blood (1972), Lisa and the Devil (1973), Kidnapped (1974) and The House of Exorcism (1975). It includes a 52-page booklet with writing by Staci Layne Wilson.
- Kino’s 2023 Blu-ray includes trailers for The Comedy of Terrors (1963), The Raven (1963), Planet of the Vampires (1965), The Blood Beast Terror (1968) and Curse of the Crimson Altar (1968).
- Kino’s 2015 Blu-ray includes a trailer for The Crimson Cult (1968).
- Kino’s 2013 Blu-ray contains no extras. Trailers included: Black Sunday (1960), Hatchet for the Honeymoon (1970), Baron Blood (1972), Lisa and the Devil (1973) and The House of Exorcism (1975).
- Arrow’s Blu-ray includes a 40-page booklet with writing by David Cairns (“Three Steps to Hell”) and Tim Lucas (“The Two Faces of ‘Black Sabbath’”), and an interview with Samuel Z. Arkoff (“My Time with Mario Bava”) by Tim Lucas. Reissued without booklet and DVD containing some of the extras (2017/12/18).
- Anchor Bay’s DVD is included in “The Mario Bava Collection, Volume 1” box set.
- Image’s “The Mario Bava Collection - Widescreen European Version” DVD includes liner notes by Tim Lucas.
~ Have you spotted a mistake or would like to suggest a disc be added? Let us know ~
Ultimate Edition
Combine the best digital presentation with a selection of choice extras for the ultimate edition.
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Introduction by Alan Jones (2:53) -
Twice the Fear (32:15) -
Una Vita Nel Cinema (A Life in Film) (21:01)
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Kino BD 2023
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Kino BD 2015
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Kino BD 2013
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Arrow BD 2013
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| Extras | Audio Commentary by Tim Lucas [Italian Version] Arrow BD |
| Audio Commentary by Tim Lucas [US Version] Kino BD | |
| Audio Commentary by Bill Bria Scream Factory BD | |
| Audio Commentary by Brian Keiper Scream Factory BD | |
| Audio Commentary by Matt Baxter, Blake Smith and Dr. Karen Stollznow Scream Factory BD | |
| Audio Commentary by Meagan Navarro Scream Factory BD | |
| Introduction by Alan Jones Arrow BD | |
| Twice the Fear Arrow BD | |
| Una Vita Nel Cinema (A Life in Film) - Interview with Actor Mark Damon Anchor Bay DVD | |
| Trailers from Hell with Mick Garris Scream Factory BD | |
| Stills Gallery Anchor Bay DVD | |
| Stills Gallery [Scream Factory] Scream Factory BD | |
| Biography: Actor Boris Karloff - Written by Richard Harland Smith Anchor Bay DVD | |
| Biography: Director Mario Bava [Anchor Bay] - Written by Richard Harland Smith Anchor Bay DVD | |
| International Theatrical Trailer Anchor Bay DVD | |
| Italian Theatrical Trailer Arrow BD | |
| US Theatrical Trailer Kino BD | |
| US TV Spot Anchor Bay DVD | |
| US Radio Spot Anchor Bay DVD |