Review of Blood and Black Lace (1964) by Craig H — 19 Aug 2007

Brilliant film and highly influential. The lighting is great throughout. Although The Girl Who Knew Too Much is the first attempt to adapt the giallo genre to the bif screen this is the one that really solidified the genres conventions that would be imitated countless times, you have the gloved killer (though that originated from Black Sabbath), elaborate death sequences, stylish camera work and of course the attractive women. Thought not exactly being a slasher itself (I'd say Twitch of the Death Nerve is really the first slasher) This is where the roots of American slasher films come from although many of which weren't as carefully constructed as this film. Also an extremely daring film for the time.

The second death sequence was probably my favorite, brilliant lighting and suspense.

I boosted the rating to a 5. It's unfair to give it less just because of the transfer.