A small English village is plagued by a string of mysterious deaths. Inspector Gorley from Scotland Yard arrives to investigate, but curious photographer Jill Trevors gets ahead of him and uncovers a strange connection: the murders appear to be linked to a black cat owned by the eccentric local, Professor Robert Miles.
Loosely based on a story by Edgar Allan Poe, this film sees Lucio Fulci reach new heights—even if it was something of a rush job.
Fulci made The Black Cat as a tribute to Roger Corman, taking inspiration from Tales of Terror (1962), which also adapted Poe’s The Black Cat. Despite being produced during one of Fulci’s busiest periods, it was also one of his most creative and productive. The cast is unusually stacked with well-known actors for a Fulci film, and they deliver solid performances. Patrick Magee (of A Clockwork Orange) adds significant weight to the film, and Pino Donaggio—known for scoring Carrie—provides a haunting and beautiful soundtrack.
Still, the film was never particularly well-received, largely because it straddles two genres. It doesn’t fully commit to the bloody excess of Fulci’s gore films, nor does it embrace the stylised murder-mystery vibe of traditional Italian giallo. It ends up somewhere in between, which left some viewers disappointed. There are bloody scenes, of course, but nowhere near the levels seen in Fulci’s more infamous works.
That said, the film has its own charm. Despite some silly moments, it’s a bit of a hidden gem—especially for those with an open mind toward Fulci’s more experimental efforts. Recommended for fans who appreciate a subtler, moodier side of the director.
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