Mario Bava: All the Colors of the Dark

by Tim Lucas, Martin Scorsese (Introduction), Riccardo Freda (Foreword)

Introduction by Martin Scorsese. Foreword by Italian Horror Pioneer Riccardo Freda. This is the Complete Story of Mario Bava's life and careers as director, cameraman and special effects artist. Interviews with more than 100 actors, co-workers, friends and family members. The Definitive Study of each of his films: production histories, cast biographies, critical analysis, and video information. Never-before Published Photos including the only color shots taken on the set of BLACK SUNDAY. Original Mario Bava Storyboards - including the boards for the unfilmed project BABY KONG. Original Mario Bava Artwork - Some in Full Color! Bava's Secret Filmography: His uncredited works as director, cameraman and special effects artist. Complete Videography and Discography. Eugenio Bava (Mario's father) Filmography

Soon available in ebook form!

http://videowatchdog.blogspot.com/201...

Genres: Film, Biography, Art, Ebooks, Nonfiction

1128 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2007

Reviews

[Paul Stolp · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful, beautiful book. Perhaps *the* ultimate movie book, certainly the ultimate Bava book. Clearly a labor of love, 30 years in the making, All The Colors Of The Dark is an astounding achievement and an example of book that could never deliver its experience digitally. You have to read the real thing, feel its heavy weight in your hands, and marvel at the gorgeous layout. Nothing but love went into this book, and Mario Bava could not have a more worthy tribute.

Do you need to be a Bava fan to enjoy this book? Probably. It's not a casual read, though if you have the slightest interest in the history of Italian cinema or how special effects were done with no budget in the days before CGI (ugh) it is worthwhile. If you are a Bava fan, though--and I certainly count myself as one--this book is a treasure trove of history, insight, interviews, commentary, stills...everything you could ever want. It is one of the most treasured books in my collection and I have the utmost respect and admiration for Tim Lucas. In a strange way, Mario Bava is more popular than ever now, a fact he would have found amusing (and probably uncomfortable.) Tim Lucas is a big reason why.

All The Colors Of The Dark is worth every penny, and then some. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. Thank you, Tim Lucas.

[Goran Lowie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An absolutely mental effort. The scope of Lucas' research is ridiculous. You won't find a more detailed, more thoroughly researched biography on any other director. Bava's growth from cinematographer to director is a filmic story on its own. It's filled to the brim with information about his films (down to the changed scenes in specific versions, the movies he worked on but wasn't credited for, the changes in different regional versions of his movies, production issues...) it is exhaustive and it is endless.

The most interesting part were the various stories about and glimpses into Bava's life. What a tremendously interesting life he's had! While reading this book, I went through Bava's entire filmography. Although I can't say I'm a big fan of his movies, I think he was a very impressive person and the impact he had on cinema cannot be understated.

[Landen Celano · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sheer scope of this book, and its depth and love of its subject, eclipse any personal bias and preference the author has for periphery details. Often tangental in its details covering personal bios of cast and producers, which slow the reading process down considerably, it eventually culminates in a richer, fuller portrait of one of Italy's most underrated and overlooked maestros of cinema.

That said, Lucas's achievement with this book should be applauded as it is strictly the work of passion, love, and unfettered determination to tell Bava's story. For that, I'm grateful.

Not for casual readers, but should be – anything to help get the name of Bava to the masses.

[Richard Longmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

My. God.

This is the most incredible retrospective of a single artist's life and work that I have ever seen. I can't even imagine how it could be more thorough than what we have here.

Mario Bava is best known as a director of films in Italy. Horror and suspense films, in particular, were his forte, often considered the father of Giallo and (depending on whom you ask) 80's style slashers. Tim Lucas was well known in the 90s as an expert in Mario Bava's works. Those "in the know" followed "Video Watchdog", his magazine, that provided behind the scenes info and analysis of obscure films, including those of Bava. When Tim Lucas advised that a full book dedicated to Bava was forthcoming, it was expected to be definitive.

I preordered this book almost a decade before it came out. And it was worth every minute of the wait. And definitive it was. Frankly way more definitive than anyone could have been expected. The time needed was taken to reach out to just about anyone who worked with him, to get stories specific to certain films as well as insight into his personal and professional life.

Any concerns? The only one I have is that the hardcover book is a monstrosity. It is not something that is easy to read. Not due to the prose, but because it's like holding up a 10 lb flexible object that's two feet long. Which sorta makes the digital version superior. But then you don't have that awesome, thick book with perfect color reprints on your table. Which you WILL want if you don't already. It's a goddamn catch-22.

So, yeah - if you have an interest in Mario Bava or Italian cinema as a whole, this book is worth every cent. It's a work of art and passion that I have not seen before or since. Truly a one-of-a-kind book, a love letter to Bava's greatness, but also a glimpse into the great steel-trap of a mind that Tim Lucas has. You'll be seeking out his other books, articles, and movies where he's done audio commentaries for in the future once you get that first taste.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is massive. Over a thousand pages filled with colorful photos, poster art and columns upon columns of content. It weighs in somewhere around twenty pounds and I think I may no longer be able to have children after the hours I spent with it resting on my lap. I got it about a year after its release--when the price dropped for a holiday sale--and vowed to read it cover to cover seeking out the movies as I read about them. I combed through every word over the course of the better part of a decade. This is the most thorough account of the life and work of an artist I have ever read. In many ways this level of miniscule detail a bit of a detriment to a casual reader, but, let's be serious, you probably have more than a passing interest in Mario Bava if you are shelling hundreds of dollars to own a monumental work such as this (recently saw a copy on eBay listed for around $3000!). In the end, I have grown to have even more respect for Bava's work and his genius thanks to Tim Lucas and this wonderful book.

[Alan · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS IS A GIANT BRICK OF A BOOK. I keep in the box it arrived it. It's very expensive and is the definition of "Labor of Love".
I have never before seen such a big and beautiful book like this about one person (though, I am sure they exist).
The book is heavy. It must be read on a stand or table. You cannot read this in a lap in a comfy chair.
You cannot read this book around food or drink.

It's a bio. It's a reference book. It's a life of a brilliant director, who was also an accomplished special effects genius, matte artist, writer, camera man and other talents i can't name right now.
For the Serious fan of Mario Bava. The real serious fan.
I am marking this as finished. I will never finish it. It's also a reference book and you will return to it time and again after viewing one of his films. Good Day

[Crunkyteen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't think anyone has ever put together a book like this. This is the final word on anything to do, personal or film-wise, with Mario Bava. Tim Lucas has taken his obsession with the Italian filmmaker to dizzying heights yet never loses his critical footing. I love Tim's commentary on each of Bava's projects. He really digs beneath the surface and pulls out all sorts of Freudian underpinnings and themes. Yes, this book is pricey, but if you're a die-hard fan of Italian cinema like I am, it's a must-have in your personal library. My only objection (besides the steep price) is the fact that this volume is almost impossible to read without laying it down on a heavy table. I wish he had busted it up into 2 volumes.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just about anything and everything related to the Italian filmmaker Mario Bava can be found in this extensively researched biography/filmography/appreciation/tribute. The hefty price will scare off the casual buyer/reader, but factoring in all the information presented, time spent on research, the care and love in the presentation, it's worth every penny spent. Bava fans and film students will get the most out of this; for the uninitiated, I recommend delving into Bava's films first (most readily available in 2 boxsets from Anchor Bay), then picking this up.

[Deanna Hammond · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly amazing accomplishment! Not only THE definitive biography of Bava's life and work, but also a great look at the Italian film industry, AND an amazing work of art. While the price tag puts it out of the range of many readers, those who choose to purchase it will be getting more than their moneys worth! And for those who can't afford the book, there is a downloadable version available on the Video Watchdog website that retails for a fraction of the price.

[Un-j]

I saw it and I was like :D
Then I saw the price and was all like D:

[Kenneth Mcneil · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best 200 bucks I've ever paid for a book.

[ColinJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite easily the greatest reference book on a single filmmaker ever written.

Expensive but worth every cent.