Macabre Review

• 27th Apr 2011

Lamberto Bava’s Macabre is the film that was famously waved from the podium of the 1983 Conservative Party conference as a prime example of a video nasty. Naturally, the film has now become a cult favourite which isn’t surprising given its content.

Macabre is the story of Jane Baker (played by cult icon Bernice Stegers of Xtro, City of Women) who has left her kids alone in the house to spend time with her lover. While away she receives a phone call telling her that her son has tragically died. Rushing back home with her lover they’re involved in a car crash that kills him. Twelve months on and one asylum later, Jane moves back into the rented apartment she used to use for her affair. Her blind landlord begins to suspect things are getting weird when he finds a severed head in his refrigerator.

Set in New Orleans, Macabre comes complete with some of the most outstandingly awful dubbing in film history. Not content with just American accents, Bava goes all out to acquire southern twangs resulting in some hilarious comic results. The B-movie production values are also wonderfully apparent after the opening sequence which features all the external New Orleans footage. The remainder of the film plays out almost exclusively in the house Jane has rented which, of course, was filmed in Europe.

Despite a severely limited narrative and overall shabby acting, the performances of the two leading ladies are the film’s saving grace. The full-blooded efforts by Stegers, coupled with a fantastic turn by Veronica Zinny (as Lucy, the manipulative and dangerous daughter) do much to maintain Macabre’s cult status. The sight of Stegers rolling around in her bed with a severed head is almost enough alone to ensure legendary status whilst the never-ending hysterical glee displayed by the clearly insane teen Lucy is equally thrilling.

The new Arrow DVD has a gorgeous re-mastered print of the film that’s nothing short of spectacular. The colours are crisp and the overall image is about as flawless as you could wish for. There isn’t a great deal going on in terms of extras apart from the dual artwork and a short video introduction by Lamberto Bava himself. Fans of the film will be more than happy with the fantastic print given that previous UK releases have been less than impressive.

Macabre is a film for genuine hardcore fans of all things cult with little beyond the shock value to actually recommend it. The opening titles proclaim that it’s based on real events, something later appropriated by the Coen Brothers for Fargo. This DVD release is solid without being amazing but the film is well worth a watch if you’re having a night in with friends and want a good laugh.

Aled Jones