Mill of the Stone Women

Slow to develop, the Italian gothic genre is less consistent in quality than the Hammer movies filmmakers were quick to emulate.  But amidst the genuine classics by Mario Bava and Ricccardo Freda there are a number of fascinating one-offs that are still worth attention.  Mill of the Stone Women (1960) just so happens to be Italy’s first horror film in color, making for a lush, expressionistic debut that does more than just splash some blood around.

Structured like a Poe film, but based on an original screenplay, the story follows a young journalist, Hans, assigned to write about the lifelike stone statues created by Professor Gregorious Wahl.  Of course, there’s a reason why the professor’s art is so realistic; his sculptures are the petrified female victims used to supply his daughter, Elfie, with blood transfusions to keep her alive.   Hans, torn between his attraction to Elfie and his shock at the travesties being committed in the name of science, must overcome a plot to drive him mad before the secret gets out!

 

Director Giorgio Ferroni’s film is certainly a slow burner.  It’s takes almost until the third act before the mad scientist angle begins to assert itself, mixing plot elements with reckless abandon.  But luckily the stylized color scheme provides a pleasant distraction throughout, with unexpected reds, yellows and greens filling the screen’s darkened cobwebbed corners.  As is so often the case in Italian horror, it’s the look of the film that makes the best impression.

 

A tough find in any proper sort of transfer, Arrow Film’s new two-disc limited edition Blu-ray is a godsend for Italian horror fans.  Not only does it look terrific, but is includes four different versions (Italian, French, US and English Export) to future-proof the set.  Extras include a commentary by Tim Lucas, visual essay, archival interviews, alternate titles, fold-out poster and illustrated collector’s booklet.

 

 

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