Lamberto Bava

Lamberto Bava

Lamberto Bava was born in Rome, Italy, and was the first of a third generation of Italian filmmakers. His grandfather, Eugenio Bava (1886-1966), was a cameraman and optics effects artist during the early days of Italian silent cinema. His father, Mario Bava (1914-1980), was a legendary cinematographer, special effects designer and director. Lamberto entered the cinema as his father's personal assistant, starting with "Planet of the Vampires" (1965). Bit by bit he gained experience from his father, who made him the assistant director for most of the rest of his films. He even co-wrote the screenplay for "Shock" (1977), Mario's last theatrical film where, in poor health during the shoot, Mario often feigned illness so Lamberto could direct a few scenes, uncredited, to gain further experience. Both Lamberto and Mario directed the made-for-TV drama "I giochi del diavolo: La Venere d'Ille" (1979). Both worked on the Dario Argento horror flick "Inferno" (1980), for which Mario designed some of the color set pieces, including the underwater ballroom, and created all the visual special effects, while Lamberto worked as Argento's assistant director. Late in 1979 Lamberto made his solo directorial debut with "Macabre" (1980), a tense drama-horror flick loosely based on a 1977 incident in New Orleans about a woman who keeps her lover's severed head in her freezer. According to Lamberto, the project started by chance when producer Pupi Avati approached him to direct as well as write the screenplay, which took just six weeks to write and direct. "Macabre" was released in Italy in February 1980 to mixed reviews, but won him recognition by his father Mario. Just two months later Mario Bava died, and an era in Italian film making came to a close. "Macabre" was not a box-office hit and, as a result, Lamberto went back to assistant directing. He worked with Dario Argento again in 1982 with "Tenebrae" (1982). In 1983 Lamberto was offered the opportunity to direct another film, titled "A Blade in the Dark" (1983), which was a violent mystery thriller shot in only three weeks on a tight budget and filmed almost entirely in a producer friend's house. Next he directed the action-flick "Blastfighter" (1984), which was filmed in the state of Georgia, and immediately afterwards directed the "Jaws" (1975)-like thriller "Devil Fish" (1984), which was shot in Florida. On both films Lamberto was purely a director for hire and had nothing to do with the script or production end. He used the pseudonym of 'John Old Jr.' for this latter film, which was a tribute to his father Mario, who often used the pseudonym 'John M. Old'. He enjoyed his best commercial success to date with "Demons" (1985), produced by Dario Argento, co-written by Dardano Sacchetti and filmed in West Berlin. This film's international success allowed him to co-write, produce and direct a sequel, "Demons 2" (1986). Lamberto returned to giallo thrillers with "Delirium" (1987). In the late 1980s the Italian cinema turned moribund. Lamberto, like most of his colleagues, turned to making films for Italian television. He also directed a remake of his father's "Black Sunday" (1960), which was titled "La maschera del demonio" (1990). Nowadays Lamberto Bava continues to divide his time between TV work and a few movies, acknowledging his inspiration from his late father, Mario.

  • Title: Lamberto Bava
  • Popularity: 2.093
  • Known For: Directing
  • Birthday: 1944-04-03
  • Place of Birth: Roma, Lazio, Italia
  • Homepage:
  • Also Known As: Larry Louis, John Old Jr.
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Lamberto Bava Movies

  • 2012
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    Of Fire And Darkness

    Of Fire And Darkness

    1 2012 HD

    Various crew members talk about the making of Dario Argento's Inferno.

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  • 1988
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    Graveyard Disturbance

    Graveyard Disturbance

    4.4 1988 HD

    Five young robbers spend a whole night in a dark catacomb to win a priceless treasure. They will have to fight against lots of ferocious zombies and...

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  • 2008
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    Paura: Lucio Fulci Remembered - Volume 1

    Paura: Lucio Fulci Remembered - Volume 1

    6 2008 HD

    This documentary examines the life and legacy of controversial Italian filmmaker Lucio Fulci through interviews with his colleagues, each of whom...

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  • 2004
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    The Three Faces of Terror

    The Three Faces of Terror

    4.4 2004 HD

    In the first story two grave robbers, thieving from an ancient Etruscan burial ground, gets in trouble when one of them tries out a ring which passes...

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  • 2007
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    Hanging Shadows

    Hanging Shadows

    1 2007 HD

    Offers a critical appreciation of Italian horror cinema, pioneered by directors such as Dario Argento and Mario Bava, a genre that influenced...

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  • 2017
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    Il mistero della cattedrale

    Il mistero della cattedrale

    8 2017 HD

    A retrospective look at the making of Michele Soavi's "The Church" including interviews with cast and crew.

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  • 2024
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    Dario Argento: Panico

    Dario Argento: Panico

    1 2024 HD

    This documentary about the great master of European horror and fantastic films offers an immersive exploration into the life and legacy of the...

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  • 2023
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    Dream Time

    Dream Time

    1 2023 HD

    Spaghetti westerns, giallo, mondo... are the legacy of a golden age in Italian genre filmmaking, which began in the sixties and came to an end in the...

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  • 2013
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    I Tarantiniani

    I Tarantiniani

    1 2013 HD

    Tarantino reveres them, and for good reason. Welcome to the world of the kings of the Italian B-Movie.

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  • 2016
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    Blood on Méliès' Moon

    Blood on Méliès' Moon

    4.4 2016 HD

    France, 1890. Inventor Louis Le Prince vanishes under mysterious circumstances right after he created a device that, five years later, the...

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  • 2004
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    The Exorcism of Lisa

    The Exorcism of Lisa

    1 2004 HD

    Assistant Director Lamberto Bava, screenwriter Roberto Natale, Roy Bava and Bava biographer Alberto Pezzotta discuss the making of both versions of...

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  • 2000
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    Mario Bava: Maestro of the Macabre

    Mario Bava: Maestro of the Macabre

    5.9 2000 HD

    Director Garry S. Grant’s insightful documentary celebrates the work and legacy of auteur filmmaker Mario Bava, the grand master of Italian...

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  • 2004
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    Mario Bava: Operazione paura

    Mario Bava: Operazione paura

    6 2004 HD

    Mario Bava Operazione Paura", hosted by Joe Dante, is an hommage of the Master of the Terror, the italian director Mario Bava

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  • 1988
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    The Ogre

    The Ogre

    5.471 1988 HD

    An American horror writer, haunted by childhood nightmares, moves to an old mansion in Italy with her husband and young son only to discover the...

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  • 1986
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    Demons 2

    Demons 2

    6.1 1986 HD

    A group of tenants and visitors are trapped in a 10-story high-rise apartment building infested with demons who proceed to hunt the dwindling humans...

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  • 1985
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    Demons

    Demons

    6.6 1985 HD

    A group of people are trapped in a West Berlin movie theater infested with ravenous demons who proceed to kill and possess the humans one-by-one,...

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  • 2018
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    Bava Puzzle

    Bava Puzzle

    1 2018 HD

    Through the anecdotes and stories of actors, directors, critics and experts, this documentary traces the career of Lamberto Bava, from his first...

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  • 2019
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    All the Colors of Giallo

    All the Colors of Giallo

    6.7 2019 HD

    'Giallo' is Italian for 'yellow', the color of the lurid pulp novels that inspired one of the most intense, extreme and influential genres in movie...

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  • 1977
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    Shock

    Shock

    6.3 1977 HD

    A couple is terrorized in their new house haunted by the vengeful ghost of the woman's former husband who possesses her young son.

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  • 1986
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    You'll Die at Midnight

    You'll Die at Midnight

    5.4 1986 HD

    A cop suspects his wife's infidelity, only to become the prime suspect when she's murdered. A criminal psychologist believes the real killer is a...

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  • 1982
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    Tenebre

    Tenebre

    6.9 1982 HD

    A razor-wielding serial killer is on the loose, murdering those around Peter Neal, an American mystery author in Italy to promote his newest novel.

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  • 2003
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    Italian Kings Of B

    Italian Kings Of B

    6 2003 HD

    Documentary on Italian genre cinema.

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  • 2021
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    Inferno Rosso: Joe D'Amato on the Road of Excess

    Inferno Rosso: Joe D'Amato on the Road of Excess

    6.5 2021 HD

    Who was Joe D'Amato aka. Aristide Massaccesi? A genius of horror in the USA, a master of eroticism in France, the king of porn in Italy. A man with a...

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  • 2019
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    Erinnerungen an Lucio Fulci

    Erinnerungen an Lucio Fulci

    1 2019 HD

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  • 2024
    imgMovies

    Titanus 1904

    Titanus 1904

    1 2024 HD

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  • 1970
    imgMovies

    Masters of Mayhem

    Masters of Mayhem

    1 1970 HD

    For decades Italian genre cinema dominated the world and before changing beyond recognition it went to unthinkable places. Giants don't die quietly...

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  • 1977
    imgMovies

    Shock

    Shock

    6.3 1977 HD

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  • 1996
    imgMovies

    Rabid Dogs

    Rabid Dogs

    7.6 1996 HD

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  • 1988
    imgMovies

    Dinner with a Vampire

    Dinner with a Vampire

    5.3 1988 HD

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  • 1988
    imgMovies

    Graveyard Disturbance

    Graveyard Disturbance

    4.4 1988 HD

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  • 1988
    imgMovies

    Graveyard Disturbance

    Graveyard Disturbance

    4.4 1988 HD

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  • 1986
    imgMovies

    Demons 2

    Demons 2

    6.1 1986 HD

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  • 1986
    imgMovies

    Demons 2

    Demons 2

    6.1 1986 HD

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  • 1987
    imgMovies

    Delirium: Photo of Gioia

    Delirium: Photo of Gioia

    5.5 1987 HD

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  • 1975
    imgMovies

    Waves of Lust

    Waves of Lust

    5.4 1975 HD

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  • 1984
    imgMovies

    Devil Fish

    Devil Fish

    3.2 1984 HD

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  • 1985
    imgMovies

    Demons

    Demons

    6.6 1985 HD

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  • 1985
    imgMovies

    Demons

    Demons

    6.6 1985 HD

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  • 1992
    imgMovies

    Body Puzzle

    Body Puzzle

    5.2 1992 HD

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  • 1992
    imgMovies

    Body Puzzle

    Body Puzzle

    5.2 1992 HD

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  • 1983
    imgMovies

    A Blade in the Dark

    A Blade in the Dark

    5.7 1983 HD

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  • 1983
    imgMovies

    A Blade in the Dark

    A Blade in the Dark

    5.7 1983 HD

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  • 1983
    imgMovies

    A Blade in the Dark

    A Blade in the Dark

    5.7 1983 HD

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  • 2005
    imgMovies

    The Torturer

    The Torturer

    3.8 2005 HD

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  • 1989
    imgMovies

    The Mask of Satan

    The Mask of Satan

    4 1989 HD

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  • 1989
    imgMovies

    The Mask of Satan

    The Mask of Satan

    4 1989 HD

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  • 1980
    imgMovies

    Macabre

    Macabre

    5.8 1980 HD

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  • 1980
    imgMovies

    Macabre

    Macabre

    5.8 1980 HD

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  • 2007
    imgMovies

    Ghost Son

    Ghost Son

    4.9 2007 HD

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  • 2007
    imgMovies

    Ghost Son

    Ghost Son

    4.9 2007 HD

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  • 2007
    imgMovies

    Ghost Son

    Ghost Son

    4.9 2007 HD

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  • 1999
    imgMovies

    Pirates: Blood Brothers

    Pirates: Blood Brothers

    6.6 1999 HD

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  • 1999
    imgMovies

    Pirates: Blood Brothers

    Pirates: Blood Brothers

    6.6 1999 HD

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  • 1997
    imgMovies

    The Princess and the Pauper

    The Princess and the Pauper

    6.3 1997 HD

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  • 1994
    imgMovies

    The Dragon Ring

    The Dragon Ring

    6.9 1994 HD

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  • 1984
    imgMovies

    Blastfighter

    Blastfighter

    5.329 1984 HD

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  • 1989
    imgMovies

    The Prince of Terror

    The Prince of Terror

    5.8 1989 HD

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  • 1988
    imgMovies

    The Ogre

    The Ogre

    5.471 1988 HD

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  • 1988
    imgMovies

    The Ogre

    The Ogre

    5.471 1988 HD

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  • 1991
    imgMovies

    The Cave of the Golden Rose

    The Cave of the Golden Rose

    6.3 1991 HD

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  • 1978
    imgMovies

    Last Feelings

    Last Feelings

    6.2 1978 HD

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  • 1994
    imgMovies

    The Dragon Ring

    The Dragon Ring

    6.9 1994 HD

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  • 1992
    imgMovies

    The Cave of the Golden Rose 2

    The Cave of the Golden Rose 2

    6.2 1992 HD

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  • 1993
    imgMovies

    The Cave of the Golden Rose 3

    The Cave of the Golden Rose 3

    6.3 1993 HD

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  • 1994
    imgMovies

    The Cave of the Golden Rose 4

    The Cave of the Golden Rose 4

    6.3 1994 HD

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  • 1996
    imgMovies

    The Cave of the Golden Rose 5

    The Cave of the Golden Rose 5

    5.8 1996 HD

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  • 1990
    imgMovies

    Eyewitness

    Eyewitness

    4 1990 HD

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  • 2012
    imgMovies

    Kammerspiel

    Kammerspiel

    1 2012 HD

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  • 1989
    imgMovies

    School of Fear

    School of Fear

    4.8 1989 HD

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  • 1965
    imgMovies

    Planet of the Vampires

    Planet of the Vampires

    6.479 1965 HD

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  • 1970
    imgMovies

    Untitled Geretta Geretta Horror

    Untitled Geretta Geretta Horror

    1 1970 HD

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  • 1989
    imgMovies

    The Man Who Didn't Want to Die

    The Man Who Didn't Want to Die

    1 1989 HD

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  • 1988
    imgMovies

    Until Death

    Until Death

    4.1 1988 HD

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  • 1988
    imgMovies

    Dinner with a Vampire

    Dinner with a Vampire

    5.3 1988 HD

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  • 2012
    imgMovies

    Tailor Made Murder

    Tailor Made Murder

    8 2012 HD

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  • 1984
    imgMovies

    Devil Fish

    Devil Fish

    3.2 1984 HD

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  • 1989
    imgMovies

    The Prince of Terror

    The Prince of Terror

    5.8 1989 HD

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  • 1970
    imgMovies

    Roy Colt and Winchester Jack

    Roy Colt and Winchester Jack

    4.9 1970 HD

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  • 1989
    imgMovies

    The Mask of Satan

    The Mask of Satan

    4 1989 HD

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  • 2018
    imgMovies

    Dogman's Rabies: Underdog

    Dogman's Rabies: Underdog

    5.8 2018 HD

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  • 1981
    imgMovies

    The Venus of Ille

    The Venus of Ille

    6.7 1981 HD

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  • 1981
    imgMovies

    The Venus of Ille

    The Venus of Ille

    6.7 1981 HD

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  • 1988
    imgMovies

    Until Death

    Until Death

    4.1 1988 HD

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  • 2012
    imgMovies

    Visions of Murder

    Visions of Murder

    1 2012 HD

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  • 1980
    imgMovies

    Cannibal Holocaust

    Cannibal Holocaust

    6.3 1980 HD

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  • 1997
    imgMovies

    The Princess and the Pauper

    The Princess and the Pauper

    6.3 1997 HD

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  • 1980
    imgMovies

    Inferno

    Inferno

    6.6 1980 HD

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  • 1996
    imgMovies

    Rabid Dogs

    Rabid Dogs

    7.6 1996 HD

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  • 1989
    imgMovies

    The Man Who Didn't Want to Die

    The Man Who Didn't Want to Die

    1 1989 HD

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  • 1968
    imgMovies

    Danger: Diabolik

    Danger: Diabolik

    6.3 1968 HD

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  • 2005
    imgMovies

    The Torturer

    The Torturer

    3.8 2005 HD

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  • 1970
    imgMovies

    Twins

    Twins

    1 1970 HD

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  • 1971
    imgMovies

    A Bay of Blood

    A Bay of Blood

    6.6 1971 HD

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  • 1966
    imgMovies

    Kill, Baby... Kill!

    Kill, Baby... Kill!

    6.9 1966 HD

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  • 1975
    imgMovies

    The House of Exorcism

    The House of Exorcism

    4.8 1975 HD

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  • 1973
    imgMovies

    Lisa and the Devil

    Lisa and the Devil

    6.3 1973 HD

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  • 1986
    imgMovies

    You'll Die at Midnight

    You'll Die at Midnight

    5.4 1986 HD

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  • 1986
    imgMovies

    You'll Die at Midnight

    You'll Die at Midnight

    5.4 1986 HD

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  • 1986
    imgMovies

    You'll Die at Midnight

    You'll Die at Midnight

    5.4 1986 HD

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  • 1986
    imgMovies

    You'll Die at Midnight

    You'll Die at Midnight

    5.4 1986 HD

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  • 1982
    imgMovies

    Tenebre

    Tenebre

    6.9 1982 HD

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  • 1970
    imgMovies

    Hatchet for the Honeymoon

    Hatchet for the Honeymoon

    6.5 1970 HD

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  • 1970
    imgMovies

    Hatchet for the Honeymoon

    Hatchet for the Honeymoon

    6.5 1970 HD

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  • 2006
    imgS8 E4

    Inspector Coliandro

    Inspector Coliandro

    8 2006 HD

    Italian police inspector Coliandro — an ignorant, boorish, but fundamentally kind-hearted oaf, whose entire worldview is informed by American...

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  • 1970
    imgS1 E4

    Inspector Coliandro

    Inspector Coliandro

    7 1970 HD

    Two brothers fell in love with the same woman, who was nearly killed by one of them in an accident. After the two men parted in anger, they meet...

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  • 1970
    imgS1 E6

    Inspector Coliandro

    Inspector Coliandro

    5.5 1970 HD

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  • 1970
    imgS5 E2

    Inspector Coliandro

    Inspector Coliandro

    7.2 1970 HD

    The king desires nothing more than a male heir. But his wife gives birth to a girl Fantaghiró. When she refuses to marry years later, she is...

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  • 1970
    imgS1 E2

    Inspector Coliandro

    Inspector Coliandro

    6.7 1970 HD

    Alisea and her brothers have been captured by Azaret, an evil wizard. Alisea escapes the castle and meets the young Prince Demian, with whom she...

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  • 1970
    imgS1 E6

    Inspector Coliandro

    Inspector Coliandro

    5 1970 HD

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  • 1970
    imgS1 E6

    Inspector Coliandro

    Inspector Coliandro

    5 1970 HD

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  • 1970
    imgS1 E2

    Inspector Coliandro

    Inspector Coliandro

    1 1970 HD

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  • 1970
    imgS1 E2

    Inspector Coliandro

    Inspector Coliandro

    1 1970 HD

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  • 1970
    imgS1 E6

    Inspector Coliandro

    Inspector Coliandro

    1 1970 HD

    Exploring perspectives on witches from different angles, ranging from historical accounts to popular folklore, shedding light on the complex...

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  • 1970
    imgS1 E6

    Inspector Coliandro

    Inspector Coliandro

    1 1970 HD

    Exploring perspectives on witches from different angles, ranging from historical accounts to popular folklore, shedding light on the complex...

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  • 1970
    imgS1 E4

    Inspector Coliandro

    Inspector Coliandro

    1 1970 HD

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  • 1970
    imgS5 E2

    Inspector Coliandro

    Inspector Coliandro

    7.2 1970 HD

    The king desires nothing more than a male heir. But his wife gives birth to a girl Fantaghiró. When she refuses to marry years later, she is...

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  • 1970
    imgS1 E2

    Inspector Coliandro

    Inspector Coliandro

    1 1970 HD

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  • 1970
    imgS1 E4

    Inspector Coliandro

    Inspector Coliandro

    1 1970 HD

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