REVIEW: The Black Cat (1981)

Published November 5, 2015 | By Folklore

‘Arrow Films’ releases Lucio Fulci’s 1981 classic.

I’m at a constant war with cats ever since I inherited large gardens situated front and back of my home. They constantly shit all over them and I’m forever peering out of my window like a peeping-tom trying the get a glimpse of one of them so I can run out and chase it. It’s an on-going struggle to this day, but I acknowledge it’s not the animal’s fault it’s their owners who literally throw them outside to do their business. Can you imagine me knocking at my neighbour’s door and asking to come inside so my dog can shit on their living room carpet? Just the same to me!

Anyways I guess that’s nothing compared to a cat creeping into the back seat of a car and whilst the person is driving, possesses them so they crash and plunge head-first through the windscreen, oh and then catching fire! Yep bizarre as it may sound this is the opening scene to Lucio Fulci’s ‘The Black Cat’, adapted from the Edgar Allan Poe story.

This 1981 classic has all the hallmarks and ingredients you come to expect from Fulcio, but what is lovely about this film is the stunning performance Patrick McGee gives. The Irish born stage actor most remembered for his work with Kubrick and for playing the more sadistic roles in various horrors, really has a fun time here as a reclusive, psychic professor who likes to communicate with the dead. The look of McGee is wonderful with his tousled, wild eyebrows and gravelly voice stealing every scene. His feline pet also likes to roam a quaint, English village and do all sorts of nasty things to its residents.

The sub-plot involves a snoopy-photographer teaming with a Scotland Yard Detective (David Warbeck) to investigate the murders and the disappearance of a missing girl, but it’s the scenes involving McGee and of course the cat that we want and are the best parts of the film anyway.

Fulcio delivers atmosphere as always and film definitely feels of its time. Its editing is ropey and performances exaggerated, but that’s what I’ve always loved about Italian horror. The score is phenomenal from Pino Donaggio and definitely captures the essence of the era.

The cat scenes are very well done to be fair and never get boring. The best being the murder of the beautiful Lillian Grayson (Dagmar Lassander) in which her bedroom sets fire and she leaps from her top story window. There’s a wonderful interview with Lassander on the special features in which we talks about her career and also working with Fulcio, especially the bedroom scene in which she had to be rescued by firemen!

‘Arrow Films’ have presented a lovely package to accompany the film as the features are very special indeed. There’s a great interview with David Warbeck, plus an amazing feature called ‘Poe into Fulci: The Spirit of Perverseness’.

‘The Black Cat’ is a must see for fans of Poe, but mainly Fulcio or Italian horror in general. Atmospheric, bizarre, but a gorgeous piece of filmmaking.

Release Date: 19th October (UK)
Format: Dual Format Blu-ray + DVD
Starring: David Warbeck, Patrick Magee, Mimsy Farmer, Luigi Pistilli, Edwige Fenech, Anita Stringbgerg
Directed by: Sergio Martino, Lucio Fulci

THE BLACK CAT:
• Brand new audio commentary by filmmaker and Fangoria editor Chris Alexander
• Poe into Fulci: The Spirit of Perverseness – film historian Stephen Thrower on Fulci’s Poe-tinged classic
• In the Paw-Prints of the Black Cat – a look at the original Black Cat locations
• Frightened Dagmar – a brand new career interview with actress Dagmar Lassander
• At Home with David Warbeck – an archive interview with The Black Cat star
• Original Theatrical Trailer
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Matthew Griffin