Italian Silent Horror Movies
List activity
332 views
• 0 this weekCreate a new list
List your movie, TV & celebrity picks.
25 titles
- DirectorFrancesco BertoliniAdolfo PadovanGiuseppe de LiguoroStarsSalvatore PapaArturo PirovanoGiuseppe de LiguoroLoosely adapted from Dante's Divine Comedy and inspired by the illustrations of Gustav Doré the original silent film has been restored and has a new score by Tangerine Dream.
- DirectorGuido BrignoneStarsBartolomeo PaganoUmberto GuarracinoMario SaioThe devil takes Maciste down to hell in an attempt to corrupt and ruin his morality.
- DirectorNino OxiliaStarsLyda BorelliAndrea HabayUgo BazziniA Faustian tale about an old woman who makes a pact with Mephisto to regain her youth, in return she must stay away from love. After the deal she meets two brothers who fall in love with her.
- DirectorAndré DeedStarsGiulia CostaAndré DeedValentina FrascaroliThe story begins with a scientist creating a device shaped like a man that can be remote-controlled by a machine.
- DirectorLuigi MaggiStarsMario BonnardMary Cleo TarlariniFernanda Negri PougetA four chapter film including Satan vs the Creator, Satan vs the Saviour, The Green Demon/Satan during the Dark Ages and The Red Demon/Satan in modern times.
- DirectorEugenio TestaStarsLinda AlbertiniLuciano AlbertiniUmberto GuarracinoThe Italian adaptation of the famous novel about Dr. Frankenstein and his monstrous creation.
- DirectorLuigi MaggiStarsPaolo AzzurriOreste GrandiUmberto MozzatoA witch casts a spell over a poor fisherman.
- DirectorLuigi MaggiStarsMary Cleo TarlariniMirra PrincipiEugenia TorrielliIn the form of an elegantly dressed gentleman, Mephistopheles appears with the intention of working havoc in the heart of a woman, whose devotion to her little daughter embodies all that true affection which only a mother can express for her first-born. Although endeavoring to resist the temptations of the persuasive lover, the woman becomes aware of her weakness against this designing person, who tells her that if she will not give him her love voluntarily, he will steal her heart by force. Then the man's form is mysteriously replaced with that of the Devil, who abstracts the heart of his victim and departs. The little daughter, returning from school, greets her mother with much show of affection, but her parent gives back but a cold response. The Devil has transformed her into a different person. Her affections have been stolen. All the warmth of her soul, all motherly instinct and love have departed. The child is much distressed at the sudden change in her mother, and after many tears, prays to the Holy Virgin for help. Her pleadings are answered by the appearance of a fairy, who comforts the child and explains how she can help to restore the lost bond of love. "Your mother's heart has been stolen," she says, "and this veil I give to you will help you to overcome all obstacles in your search for the person who has taken possession of your mother's love. Go to the Devil's Castle, and there you will regain your mother's heart." Little Elsie sets out upon her mission, and her progress being stopped by a river, the magic veil is brought into use, with the result that a bridge is immediately brought into existence for the help of the little wayfarer. Next threatened by two ill-looking witches, she again employs the fairy's veil, and raises up a barrier of fire and smoke to the defeat of her pursuers. Eventually reaching the Devil's Castle, she wields her wonderful power in overcoming the castle guards, and gains entrance to the sanctum of his satanic majesty. But here she is rudely treated and cast into a dungeon. One of the devil's minions, however, taking compassion upon her, guides her to the Devil's throne, where the great tempter and heart robber is slumbering. Now is the moment of her triumph. Never was a heart sought with greater fervor and desire than little Elsie evinces in her anxiety to regain this lost love of her mother. With a supreme effort she casts the veil over the sleeping demon, and in an instant be is secured in bonds of cord from which he cannot escape. Courageously approaching the Devil, the little girl, by a mysterious power, is able to gain possession of the stolen heart, and in ecstasies of delight returns home with her priceless treasure. With her former affections reinstated, the mother is able to respond with nature's promptings to the caresses and love of her child. The bond of unity being once again firmly established, the machinations of the Devil are defeated.
- DirectorCarmine GalloneStarsLyda BorelliAmleto NovelliAugusto MastripietriA young woman living in a castle reads letters written by her ancestor and comes to believe that she is the returned spirit of a former aristocrat who once live there.
- DirectorLuigi MaggiStarsAntonio GrisantiFebo MariMario BonnardAn insane asylum is shown, with various inmates. One of the patients constantly plays chess, and one day makes his escape, carrying his board and chessmen. He boards a railroad train and enters a compartment occupied by a traveler, William Burns, whom he engages in conversation and proposes a game of chess. Burns is agreeable, and the two are soon absorbed in the game. The maniac suddenly startles his companion with a proposition that they play for each other's lives, and Burns then realizes the predicament he is in. His efforts to prolong the game and keep off the madman present tense situations. He finally manages to write a message for help on his cuff, which he manages to drop out of the window as the train is pulling out of a station. A baggage man finds the cuff and rushes to the train master, who wires ahead to the police. The game is finally ended in favor of the maniac, and he gloatingly leaps upon his victim. Burns fights wildly for his life, but is no match for his crazy antagonist, and he is finally overcome. He is near death when the train arrives at the next station, and the police rush into the train and drag the maniac away.
- DirectorLuigi Maggi
- DirectorUgo De Simone
- DirectorTelemaco RuggeriStarsItalia Almirante-ManziniHenriette BonardVitale De StefanoTwo sculptors contend for the same woman, until one the two, mad with jealousy, murders the other and hides the corpse inside one of his sculptures.
- StarsLuigi ChiesaAntonietta CalderariA mountaineer, in relating to some travelers the legends of his country, tells them the story of the somber castle in which they are interested. "Many years ago a soldier of fortune having lost in gambling his last possession, his sword, sat brooding over his situation. An unexpected friend came to his aid, for Satan, always on the alert to gain a new victim, tempted him with his wiles, and the soldier, dazzled by the alluring prospects, signed the contract given him, thus giving himself up to the devil. Satan was generous. The poor soldier was made a Baron and master of this beautiful castle, wherein he found merry companions. Their days and nights were spent in wild revels. One day two strolling minstrels attracted their attention, and they were summoned into the castle. The young girl danced, while her companion played, and so pleased was the Baron with her that he kept the dancer with him against her will. When her comrade tried to defend her he was rudely chased away. The Baron was the terror of his tenants. From his humble abode one of the peasants, unable to pay his tithe, fearfully set out on his way to the castle in company with Charles, his daughter Mary's betrothed. Charles, however, was rudely turned out and the peasant threatened with a long whipping, if, in ten days' time his debt was not paid. The day set arrived, but the peasant, still unable to pay the money, received the punishment warned him. He was again allowed an extension of a few days, but without result, and the Baron set forth for the peasant's home. Mary, the beautiful daughter, implored him to be lenient with her father, and the wicked man, attracted by her pleas, had her seized and carried away to his home, in payment of the debt. Charles saw his fiancée dragged away and vowed to save and avenge her. Tired of the Baron's oppression, the peasants arose in arms against him. During the night, in their boats, they stealthily glided along the lake bordering the castle, and successfully scaled the wall, supposed to be out of reach. The sleeping guards were overpowered, but the Baron, enjoying himself after his supper, was ignorant of his approaching fate. Mary was ordered into his presence, and the young girl advanced with hesitating steps. By a powerful effort she succeeded in freeing herself from his embrace just as Charles and his followers burst into the room. The Baron was locked in the room and the castle set on fire. Vainly he sought for a means of escape from the quickly spreading flames. His anguish was at its highest when Satan, a creditor who does not forgive a debt, again appeared with the contract to claim his victim, and together they descended into purgatory. At a safe distance from the burning castle Mary and Charles were united in marriage. And now, during stormy nights, the soul of the wicked Baron haunts the castle walls." Thus ends the story of the mountaineer.
- DirectorMario BonnardStarsMario BonnardRia BrunaVittorio Tettoni
- DirectorGiuseppe de LiguoroStarsGiuseppe de LiguoroCount Ugolino is sent to hell and Dante tells the story of how he deserves his place.
- DirectorEnrique SantosStarsAmleto NovelliAlfred SchneiderMarcella MayerThe incidents of the story are laid in Rome. Herman. a lion tamer, and Cleo, his assistant, are the leading figures of a circus that is showing in one of the great Roman amphitheaters. Cleo is betrothed to Herman and he loves her with a love that is intense. This love begets in him none of the tenderness that endears a man to a woman; it is rather the similitude of a lion's rights over his mate; rights for which he will battle to the death against an intruder and, if needs be, include her in the slaughter. It is only to be expected that Cleo's nature has never been stirred by such devotion. Her lover is her master, a task master at that, and she pines in secret for a something that will transform the galling chains into links of sunshine. This something is introduced into her life one day, when Lieutenant Alexander, of the Roman army, presents her with a bouquet of beautiful flowers, ostensibly as a token of his admiration for her grace and skill in an equestrienne act, but really as an expression of his sincere admiration of herself as a woman. Herman, whose eyes overlook nothing in which Cleo is concerned, observes the act, and we see a snarl on his lips as he questions her in the ring. Her easy, candid reply reassures him, and the snarl is succeeded by a smile as he learns that the gracious little gift is from a stranger. But the Lieutenant, in his blind infatuation, bungles things, and takes the first step in what is destined to become a tragedy. He follows Cleo to her dressing room and, on being rebuffed, shows such deep disconsolation that the warm heart of the woman is touched. Besides he has brought a thrill to her heart that has been hitherto unknown to her, and, moved by sympathy and attracted by his fine appearance, she consoles him by a soft pat on the shoulder and by musical words that electrify the man. Ardent lover that he is, it is only after a few endearing words that he takes her in his arms and kisses her. Herman opens the door almost at the moment and the lovers just escape being discovered. The Lieutenant departs. Herman's jealousy being aroused, he turns ferociously on Cleo and gives her much the same rough usage as he would his refractory animals. She is thoroughly cowed and mute before him and he leaves her with a threat should she dare to love another man. The lion tamer grows more jealous as he thinks of the attentions of the Lieutenant, and he arranges with the clown of the circus to spy on her movements. Cleo receives a clandestine letter from Lieutenant Alexander, and joins him on an autoing trip. She is followed by the clown, who succeeds in gaining a place on the back springs of the auto as it speeds away. Cleo is late for dinner that day, and on being reprimanded by Herman, gives an evasive explanation. At this juncture the clown comes into the dinner table, and makes signs to Herman to follow him out of doors. There he tells him of the meeting and of the tender words that have passed between the lovers. Returning to the room, Herman accuses Cleo of her duplicity before the entire circus force, and forbids her to leave the circus premises in the future. But the lovers meet again, and a fiendish plan is suggested to Herman by the clown to entrap them. He calls on Cleo and good-naturedly offers to carry a note from her to Alexander. Deceived by his manner, she writes the note and delivers it to him. The clown carries it directly to Herman, who opens it carefully and reads it. Then it is re-sealed, and the clown takes it to the Lieutenant, who is overjoyed to receive it. This note fixes a meeting place for the lovers, the following night. The Lieutenant tells the clown, verbally, that he will be at the rendezvous and requests him to advise Cleo accordingly. This is done and Herman is informed of the particulars. The fateful night arrives. The clown calls on Cleo and notifies her that Lieutenant Alexander awaits her outside. He then joins Herman, who is waiting in a concealed spot near the door, through which Cleo must pass. As she cautiously emerges, Cleo is seized from behind by the conspirators, and is gagged and bound. They then carry her to the caged arena in which the lions perform, and tie her to the bars. The clown meets the Lieutenant at the appointed spot and asks him to follow him to the place where Cleo awaits him. Suspecting nothing, Alexander is led into the arena. He begins to feel that he has been entrapped, just as the clown rushes from him through the gate and locks it. Now the plot unfolds itself to him, and, like a brave man, he determines to die gamely. Seizing a platform leaning up against the cage bars, he pulls it aside, thinking it may lead to safety. With horror, he discovers Cleo behind it in a fainting condition, upheld by the thongs which bind her to the bars. Then the whole truth flashes on him. Now the thunderous roars of the lions which are being turned into the arena by Herman fall on his ears. He again places the platform in front of Cleo and gets behind it himself, hoping to be able to keep the brutes from reaching her. All in vain. The infuriated animals crowd around the spot with such fierce determination that he rushes out into the center of the arena to distract their attention from his beloved. He wrestles with them desperately, and we see him go down. After that there is a merciful hiatus, during which Cleo makes her escape, just how the producer has failed to show us. The final scene shows the arrival of the police in the arena next morning. A white sheet hides the ghastly remains of what had once been a gallant soldier. Herman explains to the police that the tragedy is due to an accident, but Cleo, with avenging finger, points to him as the man who had lured the Lieutenant to the spot. He springs at her like a wild animal, but is seized by the officers.
- DirectorLuigi MaggiStarsGigetta MoranoEnrico VaserErcole VaserA young man named Leandro tries to force himself onto his love interest, but she already has another man, and while escaping punishment for his rushed actions, he enters an alchemist's house and releases the lame devil that was being held there. Together they make some mischief.
- DirectorVincenzo DenizotStarsAlex BernardGiovanni CasaleggioLuciano DalezaFrank Alberti is the guardian of Lydia, a sweet and unsuspecting young girl. By the terms of his brother's will in the event of her death he will come into possession of her property. An unnatural relative, he plots to remove her and adopts despicable methods. He is a man of some prominence and he enlists the services of one Bernard, a gambler, who is possessed of remarkable hypnotic power over weaker minds. Alberti lays his plans craftily. He takes Lydia to the seaside and invites her to go out rowing in company with himself and a friend. Bernard is disguised as a boatman and rows them to sea. The dory has been tampered with and sinks. As the boat fills with water Alberti and his friend swim for it and leave Lydia struggling in the water. The scene is an astonishing one. The girl is seen to sink down, far below the surface, and then rise again. Bernard conceives a cunning plan and dives and rescues the girl that he may extort money from Alberti. He swims with her to safety unknown to his accomplice. Lydia is reported drowned and Alberti makes a pretense of mourning her death while enjoying his sudden acquisition to wealth. He pays Bernard a sum of money agreed upon and breaks with him. Bernard takes Lydia to Vienna. She is subjected to his hypnotic influence and meekly obeys his every will. Bernard is accompanied on his flight by Fritz, his faithful tool, and the pair meet a young Englishman, Vernon, and invite him to their gaming table. They play for heavy stakes and the young man wins. Having lost his money, Bernard resolves to get Vernon in his power. Acting under his direction Lydia induces Vernon to drink of drugged wine and he is made unconscious, while Bernard, partially concealed, directs her movements. Bernard repairs to the gambling room and becomes involved in a quarrel. He receives a blow which stuns him and he is rendered unconscious, and his influence over Lydia vanishes. She recovers her faculties with a start and is bewildered. Recovering her composure she arouses Vernon, who makes his escape from the window by means of a rope, improvised by using curtains. Lydia is about to follow when Bernard regains consciousness. He returns to Lydia and his shadowy form is seen and, after a brief struggle, she once more succumbs to his influence. Vernon staggers along the street, gradually awakening to the horrors of the situation. He secures assistance and returns to raid the gambling house and rescue Lydia. Bernard and Fritz make good their escape by means of a secret underground passage, through which they intended to convey the body of the girl. Lydia can give no information to the officers as she is still in a dazed condition. Bernard telegraphs Alberti for money, making the demand peremptory and Alberti responds in person. Vernon sees the precious scoundrels at the railway station and follows them to an inn to call the police. In the inn a heated argument takes place between Alberti and Bernard, but Alberti is forced to give Bernard a large sum of money. Just as Bernard is counting the money the police break in upon them. There is a short but decisive duel with pistols and Bernard is killed and Lydia recovers her faculties. She comes to the room where Alberti is being questioned by the officers and appears to Alberti. He believes her to be a ghost of his ward and, in his terror, expires. Later we see Lydia and Vernon at the seaside, happy, and the inference is that they are betrothed, a happy culmination of a tragic story.
- DirectorArrigo FrustaStarsMary Cleo TarlariniOreste GrandiErcole VaserA young mother loses her little son and seeks to recover him from the hands of death. The pitying angel of life guides her through storm and over obstacles, until at last she stands in the presence of the Grim Reaper and passionately pleads with him to restore her loved one. For answer he shows her a marvelous spring, in whose limpid depths the future can be seen, and the life of the boy, as ordained by Fate, is shown to the mother. The youth is shown arriving at manhood and becoming involved in disgraceful difficulties, which lead to his suicide. Death then stops the clock of life and asks the mother if she would have her son fulfill such a life. She replies. "No!" and ceases her pleadings.
- The city of Naples is in the grasp of the plague, and the terrified people are mowed down by the awful disease. The king with his court flees to a distant castle, where death is mockingly defied, behind locked doors. Death, a shadowy specter, carrying his scythe, stalks into the castle, presenting a weird and awe-inspiring sight, and casts the plague upon all except a poor woman and her two little children, whose pleadings moved the king to take them along, and who, alone, prayed to be spared.