Over the past few years I have become aware of the great genre films to come out of Italy. While some of the names were familiar, I had never actually seen them. This, I knew, had to change. I dove in head first and soaked up all I could find. Some of them were terrific and many were crap. To help anyone else ween out good from the bad, I decided to compile this list as a jumping off point. These aren't meant to be the best ever, simply the most easy to enjoy and the ones I happened to like the most.
Zombi
Lucio Fulci's zombie masterpiece is truly one of the best examples of Italian horror. A group of Americans venture to a tropical island in search of a woman's missing father. Once there, zombie's run rampant. Pretty simple setup, but the story isn't what makes this film so impressive. The execution is terrific, the zombie effects are great and the acting is decent considering the fact that the film is over thirty years old. Also, the zombies in this film are actually scary! Looking at the creatures created for this film, one can certainly understand the fear felt by the characters. Also, the film is visually captivating. Fulci really was a tremendous director and his talent shines through here. Also, there's a hilarious scene in which a zombie fights a shark!
Cannibal Holocaust
Ruggero Deodato has truly created a disturbing film here. A group of American filmmakers goes missing while exploring an exotic island. Then, American professor Monroe ventures out to find them. He instead finds only their footage, along with a tribe of cannibals which the kids were documenting. While this may not be a typical horror film, the contents are indeed horrific. Numerous scenes of torture and cannibalism are had here as well as several scenes of actual animal deaths which will indeed turn your stomach. Gore aside, we actually have a really engrossing story here that keeps our attention throughout.
Demons
Lamberto Bava weaves an interesting tale here. A group of people are invited to a premier of a new movie at a Berlin theater. Unfortunately for them, the theater is plagues by a horde of "demons" though they function much more like zombies. The Demons attack the theater, killing and turning everyone they can find. A group of determined survivors band together and try to make it through the night until help arrives. Now, the effects here are pretty dated and the acting is over the top, but what else could one want from a zombie flick from 1985? This film is pure fun in the same vein as the Evil Dead Trilogy, delivering nothing but a good time. There's a good soundtrack to accompany this film and it showcases the lighter side of Italian horror. Also, a little fun fact: the screenplay was written by none other than Dario Argento!
Suspiria
Dario Argento makes the list for this film (amongst his many others) A new dancer is accepted to a prestigious ballet academy and after a short time there she learns that the staff is actually a coven of witches obsessed with chaos. Beautifully shot and brilliantly executed, Argento really shows what a master of suspense he is. The man really knows how to build tension and dread and does so with great expertise. The colors that he uses suit the mood perfectly and every scene foreshadows the terror awaiting our heroine at the end. Argento really does give us a perfect example of the Italian "Giallo" films. A must see for any fan of the genre and anyone who loves a well crafted witch story.
Deep Red
Another Argento film here, and one that many people are split on. Some people view this as one of his best, while others aren't very fond at all. I, for one, thought this was a very well crafted film. While it isn't as horror-esque as his other films, there are certainly many horror aspects present. The story follows a musician who witnesses a murder and decides to investigate the crime with a reporter. Shortly after taking up their investigation they themselves become targets of the killer. Argento has crafted a tightly bound whodunit here, and keeps people guessing. Even if you figure out who the killer is, it doesn't lessen the experience any. I personally found the acting to be of good quality and the murders are certainly viscous. Well worth checking out if you enjoy a little more suspense with your horror.
Now, there are plenty of other terrific Italian horror films, these are simply the most easily accessible. If you're truly dedicated to finding them, I recommend: City of the Living Dead (Lucio Fulci), Seven Doors Of Death (also by Fulci) Demons 2 (by Lamberto Bava,) Inferno (Dario Argento), Tenebre (Argento), The Beyond, House By The Cemetary and New York Ripper (All by Fulci) and The House On The Edge of the Park (Ruggero Deodato)
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