Considered by most to be the first proper slasher (though 'Psycho (1960)' and its British cousin 'Peeping Tom (1960)' were both released a decade prior), Mario Bava's 'A Bay Of Blood (1971)' has undeniably influenced almost an entire genre of film. The most immediately similar experience I can think of is 'Friday The 13th (1980)', which follows the format and style of this piece almost beat for beat. Though the affair certainly isn't perfect, it's remarkably accomplished for a sub-genre's first outing. It tells the tale of a group of people who, after the suspicious death of a wealthy countess, ruthlessly vie for the land rights of a desirable bay, resulting in an ever increasing body count. After an excellently atmospheric opening, the thing slows down considerably to focus primarily on a group of expendable teenagers who only serve to act as fodder for an unseen killer (and to provide some obligatory nudity). The plot doesn't properly kick off until about halfway through when these teens (very minor spoilers, I guess) have been removed from the equation. It's at this point that the story's true central characters emerge and make their intentions clear. It's not as if these are likeable protagonists, though; they're as greedy and violent as pretty much everybody else. That's what the film is about, really: greed. The story isn't all that deep, though. It's one step above just having a mindless killer randomly slaughtering people in a variety of gruesome ways. The experience is a bit slow at times, particularly in its first half, and it's generally quite schlocky (though, no shock there). However, it holds up rather well and it's generally enjoyable. It's a solid start to the slasher genre. 6/10
Review of A Bay of Blood
