Black Sunday 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

Black Sunday 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Stephen Larson November 21, 2025

Previous coverage of Mario Bava's Black Sunday (1960) was provided by Casey Broadwater as well as my colleagues Dr. Svet Atanasov and Brian Orndorf. Casey examined Kino Lorber's BD-25 of the international version in 2012 while Brian looked at Kino's BD-25 of the AIP cut more than a decade ago. Svet critiqued both versions in his review of Arrow Video UK's 2013 BD-50. For their perspectives on those releases, please consult the linked reviews.

Black Sunday 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Scream Factory's recent "Collector's Edition" of Black Sunday consists of a two-disc 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray/standard Blu-ray combo that's housed in a slipcover. We did not review Shout! Factory's website exclusive, the twelve-disc The Mario Bava Collection, which includes Black Sunday among a dozen other films. I don't have this box set but it seems from the information I have gathered that the disc's international cut is struck from the same early-2010s master, which appears on virtually all other Blu-ray editions. The UHD and 1080p Blu-ray in the most recent release is sourced from a 4K scan of the original camera negative. It is presented in 2160p SDR on the UHD. The following prefatory text appears at the beginning of the feature on each disc:

La maschera del demonio (Mario Bava, 1960) has been restored in 4K by Fondazione Cineteca di Bologna, in collaboration with the copyright holders Alfredo Leone and Naor World Media Films, from the original camera and sound negatives provided by Iron Mountain Entertainment Services.

The restoration work was carried out by L'Immagine Ritrovata laboratory in 2023.

I own HBO Video's 1991 LaserDisc of Black Sunday, which only includes the American International Pictures version (along with Bava's Black Sabbath on a separate disc.) (No LDs were produced of The Mask of Satan.) I watched and examined HBO's LD in preparation for this review. This was a pan-and-scan transfer with picture info lopped off on the sides which you'll see in the handful of screen grabs I retrieved for a comparison with the Arrow and Scream transfers. There's quite a bit of dirt on the print along with vertical scratches in one shot and some cigarette burns throughout. I have seen far-worse transfers for films of this era and still find the LD watchable.

The HD master that was produced for the Arrow and Kino discs in the 2010s marked a significant improvement. (I haven't seen the DVD transfers from the 2000s.) Following white speckles that pop up in the prologue, far less artifacts grace the screen. The Arrow boasts super-deep blacks. When I viewed and analyzed the Scream transfers, however, the flaws of that older master became glaring. The blacks are too deep to the extent that they appear crushed and affect contrast when compared shot by shot to the image on Scream's discs. For example, look at how dark Javuto's (Arturo Dominici) facial features are in the horse carriage's window reflection in Screenshot #11. By contrast, Scream's black levels are inky but not dialed up as high. For instance, one can see more of Javuto's face in #12. Scream's transfers demonstrate superior monochromatic balance with the blacks and grayscale. In the scene where Dr. Thomas Kruvajan (Andrea Checchi) and Dr. Andreas Gorobec (John Richardson) are in the basement crypt, the image is too bright on the Arrow (see screen capture #17). Not only is the Scream a shade darker, but also boasts better overall balance (see #18). I noticed some flickering on the Arrow, which the Scream discs don't have. The 4K-based transfers are completely free of artifacts and retain a healthy amount of grain.

The UHD has been placed on a BD-66 (actual disc size: 54.1 GB). The feature delivers an average video bitrate of 84.8 Mbps and an overall bitrate of 88.8 Mbps for the total disc. Scream's Blu-ray is housed on a BD-50 (actual disc size: 26.58 GB). It employs the MPEG-4 AVC codec and carries a mean video bitrate of 32491 kbps. Arrow's Blu-ray is also stored on a BD-50 (actual disc size: 49.71 GB). The Mask of Satan occupies 22.09 GB of that disc and also incorporates the MPEG-4 AVC codec, averaging a video bitrate of 27999 kbps.

Screenshot #s 1-10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, & 40 = Scream Factory 2025 4K Ultra HD BD-66 (European version) (downscaled to 1080p)
Screenshot #s 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 22, 26, 30, 34, & 38 = Arrow Video UK 2013 Blu-ray (European version)
Screenshot #s 21, 25, 29, 33, & 37 = HBO Video 1991 LaserDisc (American International Pictures US version) (resized to 720p)
Screenshot #s 23, 27, 31, 35, & 39 = Scream Factory 2025 BD-50 (from a 4K restoration) (European version)

The standard twelve chapter stops accompany the 96-minute feature.

Black Sunday 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Scream has supplied a DTS-HD Master Audio Dual Mono mix (1783 kbps, 24-bit) that's presented in English. (The audio bitrate is identical on both discs.) I compared this track with the English tracks on the HBO LD and Arrow BD. The digitally encoded PCM mono track on the HBO disc is good overall. It is mixed a bit low, though I did find all dialogue discernible. I could hear spoken words better when Gorobec is conversing with the priest (Antonio Pierfederici) in the graveyard than in other places in the film. The sound on the LD has at a least few moments where it crackles. The English LPCM mono (1536 kbps, 16-bit) on the Arrow represented a noticeable improvement. It's louder and more distinct. But it exhibits some distortion in the upper ranges. I could hear occasional humming. The mono track on the Scream discs is superior to both. It is clear, perfectly audible, and finely balanced. It shows some high-dynamic range when delivering Roberto Nicolosi's score, which brings in brass, woodwinds, eerie strings, the xylophone, bells, and drums that sound like a gong. Scream's mono has no bad hiss, scratches, or dropouts. I don't think it can sound any better than it does here.

I watched Black Sunday with the optional English SDH switched on for the full runtime. They accurately reflect spoken dialogue and sound f/x.

Black Sunday 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Scream has overloaded this set with a quartet of recent commentaries, which it first included in its Bava box set. For further details about Arrow's extras, please refer to Svet's review.

DISC ONE: 4K UHD

• EXCLUSIVE Audio Commentary with Writer Dr. Rebekah King - King discusses witches, the vampire legend, and gothic genre throughout her commentary. She draws comparisons to Corpse Bride, Nosferatu, A Tale of Two Cities, and one of the Paranormal Activity films. King was clearly delighted to record this track as she frequently guffaws after making certain remarks. One nagging distraction is a nasal issue she apparently was experiencing. I could hear her sniveling sometimes and having to clear her throat. In English, not subtitled.

• EXCLUSIVE Audio Commentary with Dr. Karen Stollznow, Matt Baxter, and Blake Smith - Stollznow, Baxter, and Smith are co-hosts of the podcast MonsterTalk. The first half of the track is the strongest primarily because of the presence of occasional gaps in the second half. I particularly like how Stollznow explains how the mask of Satan concept was probably derived from The Man in the Iron Mask. Much of this track is an analysis of the film's plot and story events. They also give their interpretations of the characters and their motives. A big drawback of the track is the interjection of irrelevant jokes that don't have any value for understanding the film, its production, or the historical period it portrays. All three participants speak in English, not subtitled.

• EXCLUSIVE Audio Commentary with Film Critic Brian Keiper - Keiper is a writer for Bloody Disgusting. This is the best commentary of the four that Scream recorded. Keiper supplies a cogent and detailed examination of the film that's paced very well (though it does include some gaps). He describes Bava's cinematic techniques and questions The Mask of Satan raises about genre and its possible categorization as "folk horror." Especially good is when Keiper compares the instrumentation Roberto Nicolosi and Les Baxter use in their respective scores. I also like that Keiper cites the books he consulted for his commentary. In English, not subtitled.

• EXCLUSIVE Audio Commentary with Film Critic Meagan Navarro - Navarro's track starts out strong. She discusses some of the differences between the AIP cut and international version. She also provides insights into Steele's performance and Bava's filmmaking. But as the movie progresses, the track becomes more about Navarro delivering read-and-react comments to the action depicted on screen. There are lots of gaps in between. In English, not subtitled.

DISC TWO: Blu-ray

• EXCLUSIVE Audio Commentary with Writer Dr. Rebekah King - King discusses witches, the vampire legend, and gothic genre throughout her commentary. She draws comparisons to Corpse Bride, Nosferatu, A Tale of Two Cities, and one of the Paranormal Activity films. King was clearly delighted to record this track as she frequently guffaws after making certain remarks. One nagging distraction is a nasal issue she apparently was experiencing. I could hear her sniveling sometimes and having to clear her throat. In English, not subtitled.

• EXCLUSIVE Audio Commentary with Dr. Karen Stollznow, Matt Baxter, and Blake Smith - Stollznow, Baxter, and Smith are co-hosts of the podcast MonsterTalk. The first half of the track is the strongest primarily because of the presence of occasional gaps in the second half. I particularly like how Stollznow explains how the mask of Satan concept was probably derived from The Man in the Iron Mask. Much of this track is an analysis of the film's plot and story events. They also give their interpretations of the characters and their motives. A big drawback of the track is the interjection of irrelevant jokes that don't have any value for understanding the film, its production, or the historical period it portrays. All three participants speak in English, not subtitled.

• EXCLUSIVE Audio Commentary with Film Critic Brian Keiper - Keiper is a writer for Bloody Disgusting. This is the best commentary of the four that Scream recorded. Keiper supplies a cogent and detailed examination of the film that's paced very well (though it does include some gaps). He describes Bava's cinematic techniques and questions The Mask of Satan raises about genre and its possible categorization as "folk horror." Especially good is when Keiper compares the instrumentation Roberto Nicolosi and Les Baxter use in their respective scores. I also like that Keiper cites the books he consulted for his commentary. In English, not subtitled.

• EXCLUSIVE Audio Commentary with Film Critic Meagan Navarro - Navarro's track starts out strong. She discusses some of the differences between the AIP cut and international version. She also provides insights into Steele's performance and Bava's filmmaking. But as the movie progresses, the track becomes more about Navarro delivering read-and-react comments to the action depicted on screen. There are lots of gaps in between. In English, not subtitled.

• Trailers from Hell – Interview with Filmmaker Larry Cohen (2:16, 1080p) - Cohen delivers a brief commentary about Black Sunday while the AIP trailer plays. In English, not subtitled.

• International Trailer (3:35, 1080i) - the original ca. 1960 trailer for the European version (The Mask of Satan). This trailer has been restored and appears in much better condition than the American trailer on this disc. Blacks are very deep. It's displayed in about 1.66:1 (16x9 enhanced) and Dolby Digital Dual Mono (192 kbps), which is in English. There are several spoiler so don't watch it if you've never seen the international cut. Like the main titles for the feature, Barbara Steele's surname is misspelled.

• US Trailer (2:05, upscaled to 1080i) - AIP's official trailer for Black Sunday presented in 1.66:1 anamorphic widescreen and Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono (192 kbps). The trailer hasn't been restored.

• Poster Gallery (3:02, 1080p) - this slideshow is actually more than a poster gallery as it also contains lobby cards, publicity snapshots from AIP's press packet, and a reproduction of AIP's exhibitors' manual. The gallery presents 44 distinct images (many in black and white and several colorized stills). They are culled from US and international publicity campaigns.

• TV Spot (0:18, upscaled to 1080i) - a US TV spot for Black Sunday shown in 1.33:1 with voice-over narration.

Arrow Video UK Exclusive Supplements

• The Mask of Satan (1:26:30, 1080p) - Arrow includes options to view the international cut of Black Sunday with either the native Italian or dubbed English audio.

• Audio Commentary by Film Critic Tim Lucas (1999) - this feature-length track by the former co-editor of Video Watchdog was initially recorded for the 2000 Image Entertainment DVD of The Mask of Satan. This remains the finest commentary yet recorded for this movie. Lucas provides, more than any other commentator, mini-bios and backgrounds of the actors and crew members which are interesting to hear. Lucas also explains how the visual effects and special makeup effects were designed and executed. He cites the influence Horror of Dracula (1958) had on Bava. In English, not subtitled.

• Introduction by Alan Jones (2:52, 480i) - the British film critic/journalist gives a nice summary about Steele, Bava, Black Sunday, I Vampiri (1956), and Bava's other work. In English, not subtitled.

• Interview with Barbara Steele (8:44, 480i) - this interview with the legendary actress was conducted in 1995 (in two locales). She talks about where she was in her career when she made Black Sunday, her memories acting in the prologue, why she's called Asa in the Bava picture, and her views of horror films. In Italian, with English subtitles.

• Deleted Scene from the Italian Version with Notes By Tim Lucas (3:32, 480i) - this omitted scene is bookended with text screens containing detailed descriptions and analysis, which are extracts from Tim Lucas's book (2009 edition) on Bava. In Italian, with English subtitles.

• Italian Trailer (3:27, 480i) - original trailer from Unidis, which looks in decent shape. The assemblage is similar to the trailer produced for the international version. This trailer's voice-over and excerpted dialogue from the film are spoken in Italian and subtitled in English. The source used for the Dolby Digital Dual Mono track (320 kbps) is loud and scratchy.

• Booklet - a 32-page booklet with archival photos and posters, an interview with Barbara Steele, and essays by Matt Bailey (on Black Sunday) and Alan Jones (on I Vampiri). Bailey's piece is splendidly written.

Black Sunday 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Mario Bava's solo directorial debut still retains its ability to shock and send chills up the spine. His moody cinematography creates a spooky atmosphere that's memorable. The script is lackluster in a few places in terms of following up on knowledge a character acquires in one scene and then building on that knowledge in subsequent scenes. Still, this is an undisputed gothic classic.

While Scream Factory only includes the international cut on both discs, it looks and sounds great. A definitive package would also encompass a 4K restoration of the AIP cut and the native Italian audio on The Mask of Satan. But it remains unknown if Arrow or another label will release both versions in 4K anytime in the near future. While Scream's set isn't complete per se, it's certainly worth owning and earns a VERY SOLID RECOMMENDATION.