Katarsis (Italian: Sfida al diavolo; also released as Challenge the Devil), is a 1963 Italian horror film directed and written by Giuseppe Vegezzi.[1] It is his only film.[1] A group of people enter an old castle where they come across an old man (Christopher Lee) who turns out to be the Devil.
| Katarsis | |
|---|---|
 1965 poster for Katarsis | |
| Directed by | Giuseppe Vegezzi |
| Written by | Giuseppe Vegezzi |
| Story by | Giuseppe Vegezzi |
| Produced by | Fernando Cerqua[1] |
| Starring |
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| Cinematography |
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| Edited by | Enzo Alfonsi[1] |
| Music by | Berto Pisano[1] |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Mangusta (Italy) |
Release date |
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Running time | 87 minutes[1] |
| Country | Italy |
| Budget | ₤46 million |
Cast
editCredits adapted from the book Italian Gothic Horror, 1957-1969.[1]
- Christopher Lee as Lord of the Castle (credited as 'Cristopher Lee')
- Giorgio Ardisson (credited as George Ardisson) as Gugo
- Vittori Centroni (credited as Lilly Parker) as Maga
- Anita Cacciolata (credited as Anita Deyer) as Jenny
- Alice Paneque (credited as Bella Cortez) as Frie
- Mario Polletin (credited as Mario Zacarti) as Gian
- Adriana Ambesi as Castle lady
- Pietro Vidali (credited as Piero Vada) as Peo
Production
editKatarsis was shot at Odescalchi Castle in Bracciano and Montelibretti and Olympia Studios in Romebetween 14 May and 7 June 1963.[1][2] It had a low budget of 46 million Italian lira.[1] Christopher Lee was one of the few name actors in it; he was on-set for one week.[1] In Lee's autobiography, he states that he never saw the film or its dailies and that it was later split into two films.[1] This is incorrect; however, the film was released in two versions, the later one with more footage.[1]
Release
editKatarsis was released in Italy on September 9, 1963 where it was distributed by Mangusta.[1] Shortly after it received its distribution visa, its production company I Della Films filed for bankruptcy.[1] Katarsis was then purchased by Eco Films and re-released in a re-edited version, Sfida al diavolo, in 1965.[1][3][4] This latter version runs 78 minutes and includes new scenes involving a dancer.[3]
Reception
editRoberto Curti, author of Italian Gothic Horror Films, 1957-1969 described the director's work ranging between "naive and terrible".[1]
See also
editReferences
editFootnotes
editSources
edit- Curti, Roberto (2015). Italian Gothic Horror Films, 1957-1969. McFarland. ISBN 978-1476619897.
- Johnson, Tom; Miller, Mark A. (2009). The Christopher Lee Filmography: All Theatrical Releases, 1948–2003. McFarland. ISBN 978-1476608969.
- Rigby, Jonathan (2001). Christopher Lee: The Authorised Screen History. Reynolds & Hearn. ISBN 1-903111-64-1.