Danza Macabra: Volume One — The Italian Gothic Collection Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		3.5

Danza Macabra: Volume One — The Italian Gothic Collection Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman May 25, 2023

Severin has fired up its trusty candelabra and gone exploring in another bunch of nooks and crannies in whatever castle it keeps it stash of Italian Gothic horror films, and come up with this interesting quartet of offerings, two from the mid-sixties and two from the early seventies, though rather interestingly given this set's title of Danza Macabre, there's no inclusion of Castle of Blood, which, as of the writing of this review, is available only as a bonus feature on Severin's release of Nightmare Castle. While the films themselves in this set may be hit and/or miss for some (maybe even many), they all have moodiness and even style on occasion, and as usual, Severin has aggregated some really interesting supplemental features to help sweeten the pot (cauldron?). The fact that this collection has been branded with a noticeable Volume One probably suggests more exploring in dim, dusty, cobweb laden corners may be in store, though sheer negligees may be optional.

For reviews of the film in this set, please click on the following links:

The Monster of the Opera Blu-ray review

The Seventh Grave Blu-ray review

Scream of the Demon Lover Blu-ray review

Lady Frankenstein Blu-ray review

Danza Macabra: Volume One — The Italian Gothic Collection Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Video quality of each film is assessed in the above linked reviews.

Danza Macabra: Volume One — The Italian Gothic Collection Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Audio quality of each film is assessed in the above linked reviews.

Danza Macabra: Volume One — The Italian Gothic Collection Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Supplements on each disc are detailed in the above linked reviews. Additionally, Severin has packaged the set handsomely, with a nice slipbox featuring an appropriately Gothic illustration.

Danza Macabra: Volume One — The Italian Gothic Collection Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

This is an often weirdly enjoyable quartet of features. None of these films is exactly an undiscovered masterpiece, but they all have moments of style and some appropriately spooky mood. Technical merits are generally solid, and as usual Severin has assembled some very well done supplements. Recommended.