Written and directed by Mario Colucci (Vendetta for Vendetta) in 1971, Something crawls in the dark is a fascinating Italian thriller-horror that is characterized by a predominant and evocative atmosphere dipped in the supernatural. Sparked by a mediumistic séance, the paranormal component unleashes dark and successful horror interludes that blend with the thriller/yellow genre nuances present in the film.
The slow pace at which the story unfolds lays the groundwork for suspense fueled by sudden flashes of violence that alternate with paranormal phenomena, which include, in addition to the séance, the possession of the medium, who undergoes a grim voice alteration that does not leave one indifferent.
In addition to the good performances by the cast (including Giacomo Rossi Stuart and Lucia Bosè), Something crawls in the dark presents an accurate use of lighting and framing that obscures the flaws from which, however, the film is not free.
Also notable among the merits is the final sequence in which shadows and sighs feed the funereal charm of this film.
Overall, Something crawls in the dark is a fairly macabre spiritualist thriller-horror, definitely worth rediscovering.
The story of Something crawls in the dark features a group of people who, forced by a flood, find refuge in a manor house. They are Sylvia Forrest (Lucia Bosé) and her husband Donald (Giacomo Rossi Stuart); a doctor and his assistant; an eccentric professor who is interested in esotericism; and two policemen who have just captured the multiple murderer Spike (Farley Granger). To pass the time, the strangers will have the bad idea of summoning the owner of the macabre dwelling during a mediumistic session. From that moment the situation precipitates.
In the cast of Something crawls in the dark: Lucia Bosè (Fellini - Satyricon, Le vergini cavalcano la morte), Giacomo Rossi Stuart (Operazione paura, La notte che Evelyn uscì dalla tomba), Farley Granger (La porta dell'inferno, La rossa dalla pelle che scotta), Stelvio Rosi (L'orgia dei morti), Mia Genberg, Dina Fazio and Franco Beltramme.
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Distributed by CG Entertainment, Something crawls in the dark è disponibile in DVD (targato CG – CineKult) dal 18 luglio. L'edizione proposta, con artwork interno, è ricca di contenuti speciali.
DVD EDITION.:
VIDEO: 16/9 1.66:1
DURATION: 90′
AUDIO: Dolby Digital 2.0 Italian
N. DISKS: 1
OVERVIEW: Italian for the Deaf.
EXTRA: Something Weird, Interview with Manuel Cavenaghi, Roger A. Fratter, Trailer
