Today, I should highlight Mario Bava’s excellent Black Sunday. Unidis released it across Italy on 12 August 1960. But I just can’t. I have to highlight Four of the Apocalypse. Cineriz released it exactly 15 years later.
Psychotronic freaks will probably say, “You did another Lucio Fulci film yesterday!” Indeed, I did! But there a few reasons I’m doing this. First, I don’t control the release of films! Second, I’m a huge Fulci fan. And third, Four of the Apocalypse is an outstanding film — even better than Black Friday.
The film works well because of its focus on community. Evil people menace the four principals — first by the “respectable people of the town and then by the outlaw Chaco. They survive by working together. But the group disintegrates with two dying, one as good as dead, and the last heartbroken. And another community must come to the rescue of a newborn baby.
I think the film’s combination of brutality and sweetness is why I like it so much. It presents an evil world. But that world also provides a modicum of justice. That’s perfect for me because I wouldn’t believe any more justice than that.
As I recall, Fulci only made three westerns. This is by far the best of them. I place it along with his very best films like The Beyond, The New York Ripper, and Zombie.
I highly recommend watching Four of the Apocalypse. No time like the present! Here’s a good print:
Other 12 August Anniversaries
Filmmakers
- Samuel Fuller (1912-1997): One of the greatest directors ever with films like Shock Corridor and White Dog.
- Dan Curtis (1927-2006): The king of TV horror. He created Dark Shadows, and produced and directed The Night Strangler and Trilogy of Terror.
- William Goldman (1931-2018): Novelist and screenwriter of Magic, The Princess Bride, and much more.
- George Hamilton (1939-): Well-tanned star who appeared in a number of interesting films including the spoofs Love at First Bite and Zorro, The Gay Blade.
Films
- Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (1941): Standard story with Spencer Tracy.
- Back From the Dead (1957): A woman is possessed by the spirit of her husband’s deceased wife.
- The Unknown Terror (1957): A mad scientist creates a fungus monster.
- Black Sunday (1960): An executed witch returns looking for a new body and vengeance.
- Motorpsycho! (1965): Two people hunt down a trio of murderous bikers.
- Funeral Home (1980): Guests disappear from a funeral home turned into a bed and breakfast.
- Manhattan Baby (1982): An archaeologist unleashes an evil spirit that possesses his daughter.
- Cujo (1983): A mother and son are trapped in a car by a rabid dog.
- The Skeleton Key (2005): A hospice nurse must fight evil forces in the Louisiana bayou.
- I Saw the Devil (2010): A cop tortures the murderer of his wife — repeatedly.
Four of the Apocalypse (1975) poster via Wikipedia under Fair Use.
