Baron Blood backdrop
Baron Blood poster

BARON BLOOD

Gli orrori del castello di Norimberga

1972 • DE HMDB
February 25, 1972

A young man, Peter, returns to Austria in search of his heritage. There he visits the castle of an ancestor, a sadistic Baron who was cursed to a violent death by a witch whom the Baron had burned at the stake. Peter reads aloud the incantation that causes Baron Blood to return and continue his murderous tortures.

Directors

Mario Bava Mario Bava

Cast

Joseph Cotten as Baron Otto von Kleist / Alfred Becker

Joseph Cotten

Baron Otto von Kleist / Alfred Becker

 Elke Sommer as Eva Arnold

Elke Sommer

Eva Arnold

 Massimo Girotti as Dr. Karl Hummel

Massimo Girotti

Dr. Karl Hummel

 Antonio Cantafora as Peter Kleist

Antonio Cantafora

Peter Kleist

 Umberto Raho as Inspector

Umberto Raho

Inspector

 Luciano Pigozzi as Fritz

Luciano Pigozzi

Fritz

 Nicoletta Elmi as Gretchen Hummel

Nicoletta Elmi

Gretchen Hummel

Dieter Tressler

Mayor Dortmundt

Rolf Halwich

Auctioner

 Gustavo De Nardo as Dr. Werner Hesse

Gustavo De Nardo

Dr. Werner Hesse

 Valeria Sabel as Martha Hummel

Valeria Sabel

Martha Hummel

 Rada Rassimov as Christina Hoffmann

Rada Rassimov

Christina Hoffmann
Horror
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Crew
Production: Alfredo Leone (Producer) — Samuel Z. Arkoff (Executive Producer) — James H. Nicholson (Executive Producer) — J. Arthur Elliot (Executive Producer)
Screenplay: Vincent Fotre (Screenplay) — Willibald Eser (Screenplay)
Music: Stelvio Cipriani (Original Music Composer)
Cinematography: Mario Bava (Director of Photography)

REVIEWS (1)

Marco Castellini •
The young descendant of a medieval tyrant summons, through a spell, the spirit of his terrible ancestor. The ghost reincarnates in the body of a mysterious paralytic who, after sowing panic and horror, will be eliminated. The film marks Bava's return to Gothic horror themes and in particular to certain atmospheres and themes (already addressed in "The Mask of the Demon" and "Operation Fear") very dear to the director: the evil that is awakened, the theme of the double, the cursed dwellings. The film also benefits from the excellent performance of Joseph Cotten, actor in many films by Orson Welles. It represents, however, a minor film in Bava's filmography, suitable especially for those who already know and appreciate the director's works. If you love the latest generation of horror films, with fast-paced rhythms and filled with computer graphics, this is not your film.
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COMMUNITY REVIEWS (1)

Wuchak

Wuchak

6 /10

Gothic horror at an Austrian castle

Taking a break from his college studies, Peter Kleist (Antonio Cantafora) flies to Austria to get in touch with his heritage. He learns that his notorious ancestor was nicknamed "Baron Blood,” a sadist cursed by a witch he burned to death. After meeting Eva (Elke Sommer) they playfully read an incantation at his family’s castle and inadvertently bring the infamous Baron back to life, which is when people start dying. Joseph Cotton is on hand as a mysterious wheelchair-bound man who purchases the chateau at auction.

The original Italian title of Mario Bava’s “Baron Blood” (1972) is “The horrors of Castle Nuremberg” (translated), which describes the film in a nutshell. In style & content it places just between Hammer gothic horror and the soon-to-come slashers.

The best thing about the flick is its spooky castle ambiance, which brings to mind hallowed horror like “The Terror” (1963), “Bloody Pit of Horror” (1965) and “The Devil’s Nightmare” (1971). It’s superior to the hammy “Bloody Pit,” but pretty much on par with the other two, although I prefer them for various reasons. This one's marred by nonsensical script elements concerning the witch's curious curse & the Baron's unexplained abilities. Nevertheless, it’s a top contender for gothic horror atmosphere.

Antonio Cantafora looks like the Euro version of Peter Fonda, albeit less formidable (physically). Meanwhile feminine charms are limited to Elke Sommer, unless you favor witchy women like Christina/Elizabeth (both played by Rada Rassimov, who resembles Celine Dion). Little redhead Nicoletta Elmi (Gretchen) would grow up to be a striking minor actress.

The film runs about 1 hour, 37 minutes, and was shot at Burg Kreuzenstein (castle) and Klosterneuburg (street scenes) & Korneuburg in Lower Austria, as well as Vienna. Writer Vincent G. Fotre was a professional tennis player who dabbled in scriptwriting.

GRADE: B-/B

Reviews provided by TMDB