A Bay of Blood Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		5.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

A Bay of Blood Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov September 25, 2026

Mario Bava's "A Bay of Blood" a.k.a. "Twitch of the Death Nerve" (1971) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Severin Films. The supplemental features on the release include new audio commentary by critic Tim Lucas; recent program with Lambero Bava; multiple documentations on Mario Bava and the production of his film; recent program with critic Stephen Thrower; vintage promotional materials; and more. In English or Italian, with optional English and English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".

Anyone who claims they didn’t get lost during their first viewing of Mario Bava’s A Bay of Blood is being dishonest -- seriously dishonest. This film can be very confusing, even after multiple viewings, because it has many loose ends that are not properly tied up. The screenplay is easy to blame for its issues because multiple people worked on it and, apparently, attempted to improve it. However, Bava had the final say on how A Bay of Blood should look, so it is fair to speculate that its final version, with all its issues, is problematic because he couldn't make it more coherent.

But which final version?

A Bay of Blood can be seen in three different versions, one English and two Italian, and the only thing they make crystal clear is that Bava, and certainly other people with decision-making power in his orbit, were recognizing precisely what is stated above -- revisions were necessary. Oddly enough, if the three versions are examined, it also becomes clear that there was no consensus on how to handle these revisions. The English and first Italian versions have several completely different scenes, and the latter, later modified a second time, tweaks the dialogue. However, someone was far more concerned with the graphic material in these versions, rather than the narrative construction, which is the source of all issues.

Each of these issues has something to do with how Bava chooses to shock, rather than the specific events that the characters of A Bay of Blood are drawn into. In a secluded, sprawling mansion overlooking a picturesque bay, the elderly, wheelchair-bound Countess Federica Donati (Isa Miranda) is brutally murdered by her husband, Count Filippo Donati (Giovanni Nuvoletti), presumably so that he can take over her massive fortune. Moments later, a shadow figure kills the killer. And so, Bava unleashes a most intense killing spree in which several other characters perish. As the mansion and surrounding area become a deadly playground, Bava then provides various clues about the shadow figure’s identity, each accompanied by wild twists and uncharacteristically gory visuals galore.

The biggest problem with this material is that it forces the shadow figure and the future victims to undergo massive, utterly ridiculous character transformations to accommodate Bava’s uncharacteristically gory visuals. (This is the exact type of illogical material that, a decade later, began altering many hyperviolent poliziotteschi into utterly ridiculous parodies). Some is badly fractured, and some badly overlapping with other material. As a result, Bava delivers many high-quality visuals, but they aren’t integrated into a good, coherent whodunit.

So, why is A Bay of Blood routinely praised?

Just about everything that Bava does to shock was copied in some way during the next several decades by the genre films that today are referred to as slashers. Close-ups, zooms, pans, quick cuts, long takes, shadow and light management, all of this and more. In other words, A Bay of Blood turned out to be an incredibly valuable and influential blueprint.

Unsurprisingly, A Bay of Blood also has a soundtrack with typical qualities for a proper slasher, composed by the prolific maestro Stelvio Cipriani. (The Frightened Woman).

A Bay of Blood Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, A Bay of Blood arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Severin Films.

This two-disc set presents exclusive new 4K restorations of the three versions of A Bay of Blood, sourced from the original camera negative. We have provided screencaptures taken from all three in the following order:

Screencaptures #1-22: English Version.
Screencaptures #25-29: Italian Version/The Ecology of Crime.
Screencaptures #32-40: Italian Version/Chain Reaction.

I viewed the English Version in its entirety on 4K Blu-ray and 1080p, with Dolby Vision, and then sampled various parts of the two Italian versions.

I have two other Blu-ray releases of A Bay of Blood -- this release from Kino Lorber and this release from Arrow Video -- and they are both rather underwhelming. It is because both are sourced from older masters with numerous issues.

The restored English Version is the one to see. It boasts a dramatically healthier, very attractive appearance that makes it possible to experience A Bay of Blood in an entirely new way. I am not exaggerating when I write that in many areas, darker and well-lit, there is significantly more to see now. Also, the new 4K restoration produces visuals with stable, very attractive organic qualities. The previous releases of A Bay of Blood produce dated, often shaky visuals that lack such attractive organic qualities. Folks with large screens, or those who project, will immediately notice that these visuals have far better density levels as well. The 4K restoration is very nicely graded, too. Primaries look lush and very healthy. Supporting nuances are equally healthy, but many are dramatically expanded. Unsurprisingly, the dynamic range of the visuals is much, much better now. I prefer how various darker areas look in 1080p on the Blu-ray. There are no traces of any problematic digital corrections. Image stability is excellent.

The two Italian versions reveal limitations do not look as impressive as the English Version because of source and age-limitations. They are good to have, especially for comparisons, but the English Version is the one to see. (Note: This is a Region-A "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-A or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

A Bay of Blood Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is one English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track (for the English Version) and two Italian DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 tracks (for the two Italian versions). Optional English SDH (for the English Version) and English (for the Italian versions) subtitles are provided.

I viewed the English Version in its entirety on 4K Blu-ray and 1080p and then sampled various parts of the two Italian versions.

The original English track has numerous limitations. Some are the typical limitations for these types of tracks, and a few probably are introduced by aging anomalies. It is very difficult to tell exactly what is what. However, anyone who has seen A Bay of Blood before it was restored in 4K knows that the English and Italian tracks have always been shaky, and on some older DVD releases, they sound even shakier. I think that the English track is still more than fine because its clarity and dynamic strength are still perfectly fine. When the volume is turned up, in the upper register, where older films reveal weaknesses, many small inconsistencies become impossible to miss.

A Bay of Blood Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

BLU-RAY DISC ONE: ENGLISH VERSION

• Commentary - Tim Lucas provides a modified version of a previous audio commentary, recorded in 2006. Lucas discusses in great detail Mario Bava's conception and direction of A Bay of Blood, the narrative construction and stylistic identity of the film, how violence is used to create atmosphere, the interesting cast that was assembled (with information about previous work different actors had done), and the film's cult status.

• All About My Father - in this program, Lambero Bava recalls what it was like to be around his father as a kid, as well as some important lessons he was taught about cinema and life. The program was produced by Manilo Gomarasca. In Italian, with English subtitles (15 min).

• It Was Just a Children's Game - in this program, actress Nicoletta Elmi recalls as best as she can how she landed her tiny part in A Bat of Blood, which apparently came after she appeared in early film starring Al Bano and Romina Power. Elmi also comments on her performances in Who Saw Her Die?. The program was produced by Manilo Gomarasca. In Italian, with English subtitles (14 min).

• Lens of Blood - in this program, assistant camera operator Gianlorenzo Battagla recalls his first encounter with Mario Bava and comments on his personality and working methods. Battagla also discuses his involvement with A Bay of Blood and reveals that Bava considered the entirety of a scene more important than the actors who were part of it, and photography was "a piece of cake" for him. The program was produced by Federico Caddeo for Freak-O-Rama. In Italian, with English subtitles. (28 min).

• That Will Teach Them to be Bad - in this program, author and critic Stephen Thrower discusses the conception, production, and significance of A Bay of Blood. In English, not subtitled. (47 min).

• U.S. Trailer - presented here is an original remastered U.S. trailer for A Bay of Blood. In English, not subtitled. (3 min).

BLU-RAY DISC TWO: ITALIAN VERSIONS

• Hallmark of Horror: Carnage, Death Nerves & Last House Part II - in this exclusive new video essay, author and critic Stephen R. Bissette reveals that he has seen many of the cult film Severin has restored over the years in the old drive-in theaters, A Bay of Blood was one of them. Bissette also explains how many of the films he saw, distributed by Hallmark, and especially Bava's film, impressed him. In English, not subtitled. (20 min).

• The Art of Crime - in this archival program, Lamberto Bava, Dardano Sacchetti (Screenwriter), Steve Della Casa (CSC Director), Franco Vitale (Still Photographer), Roy Bava (Mario Bava's Grandson), Alberto Pezzotta (Mario Bava's Biographer) and Joe Dante (Filmmaker) explain what makes A Bay of Blood a special film. The program was produced by Nocturno Cinema. In English and Italian, with English subtitles where necessary. (20 min).

• (Sittin' On) The Blood Of The Bay - in this archival program, Lamberto Bava discusses the work he did with his father, which started with Planet of the Vampires, and the conception and production of A Bay of Blood. The program was produced by Federico Caddeo for Freak-O-Rama. In Italian, with English subtitles. (23 min).

• 13 Ways to Die - in this archival program, Dardano Sacchetti discusses his difficult relationship with Dario Argento, which led to his encounter with Mario Bava. Sacchetti also comments on Bava's working methods and the original story he presented to him that inspired A Bay of Blood. In Italian, with English subtitles. (22 min).

• Bava and the Grindhouse - in this program, Joe Dante recalls his first viewing experience of A Bay of Blood (under the title Twitch of the Death Nerve) and discusses some of the unique qualities of Mario Bava's films and their distribution in America. In English, not subtitled. (13 min).

• Severin Super-Shock Intro by Lamberto Bava (2025) - Lamberto Bava presents the world premiere of the new 4K restoration of A Bay of Blood at the Locarno Film Festival. In Italian, with English subtitles. (1 min).

• Storyboard Comparisons - presented here are several storyboard to film comparisons. (3 min).

• Italian Trailer - presented here is a remastered original Italian trailer for A Bay of Blood. Music only. (4 min).

• Radio Spots - presented here are several video radio spots for A Bay of Blood. In English, not subtitled. (2 min).

• Cover - reversible cover with alternate art for A Bay of Blood.

A Bay of Blood Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

A great film? Not quite. An influential film? Absolutely, without a shadow of a doubt. A Bay of Blood is the big blueprint that pretty much all genre films refereed to as slashers have borrowed something from, and this is the main reason to see it. Severin Films' combo pack presents an outstanding exclusive new 4K restoration of A Bay of Blood, together with a terrific selection of exclusive new and archival bonus features. The 4K restoration is also made available on 4K Blu-ray in this combo pack release. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.