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Danger: Diabolik (1968)

Danger: Diabolik
If you didn't see him... he's there.
—Diabolik
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With a quick carnal purr and a cackle that'll curdle the cream in your coffee, the titular character played by the late John Phillip Law (of Barbarella fame; a cinematic cousin also released in 1968 by the same producer, the zeitgeist-tapping Dino De Laurentiis) dives through gunfire and rainbow smoke into a physical camera rotation while the English version of the theme "Deep Down," as sung by Christy, enthralls.

What remains is 'gramophonic' spin art that only director Mario Bava would think to employ, putting terrific emphasis on a groove that doesn't let up.

SUPPLEMENTAL: The Beastie Boys "Body Movin'" music video

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Audio commentary on "Body Movin'" by director Adam Yauch (aka MCA aka Nathaniel Hörnblowér)

A Mite of Morricone - Samples of Ennio Morricone's unreleased soundtrack to Danger: Diabolik:

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Diabolik's Hideout

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Valmont's GoGo Pad

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Under Wah-Wah

 

  • Credits

Film Director: Mario Bava
Director of Photography:
Antonio Rinaldi
Art Director:
Flavio Mogherini
Film Editor: 
Romana Fortini

Title Design: uncredited

Music by: Ennio Morricone

"Deep Down"
Music by Ennio Morricone
Performed by Maria Cristina Brancucci

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Title sequence

  • Composer

    Ennio Morricone
  • Category

    Film
  • Styles

    1960s, experimental, live action, main title
Danger: Diabolik
  • Film Director

    Mario Bava
  • Release Date

    January 5, 1968
  • Aspect Ratio

    1.85:1
  • Studio

    Paramount Pictures
  • Country

    Italy
  • Language

    Italian
  • Reviews

    Reviews on Letterboxd
  • IMDb has full details

Article

  • Writer

    Alexander Ulloa
  • Published

    January 23, 2009

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