Baron Blood (1972)

As a prank, a visiting American (Antonio Cantafora) and an assistant (Elke Sommer) in restoring an old castle read an incantation that will bring up the dead Baron Blood who was notorious for his bloody deeds. Only the joke is on them, when he comes back to life and terrorizes anew. Directed by Mario Bava, the film is quite admired by his coterie and hardcore fans. Personally, I found it very run of the mill (and often less than that) with only its cinematography (courtesy of Antonio Rinaldi and an uncredited Bava) to distinguish it from the crowd of Italian horror (I wouldn't call it a giallo though it's often described as such). Its initial reviews weren't very good (but apt) but it has since developed a cult as much of Bava's filmography has. But to be fair, what the tepid screenplay lacks, Bava tries to make up with an atmospheric sense of dread and it almost works but not quite. Joseph Cotten brings a sinister presence as the new owner of the castle and Elke Sommer proves she can scream as loud as Hollywood's own scream queens. With Massimo Girotti and Rada Rossimov.