Danger: Diabolik (1968)

Director: Mario Bava

Starring: John Phillip Law, Marisa Mell, Adolfo Celi, Terry Thomas

More info: IMDb

Tagline: Out for all he can take, seduce, or get away with...

Plot: In psychedelic swinging 60s style, the dreaded thief (and killer) Diabolik wreaks havoc on a generic European country for his own financial gain and amusement. He shares an extravagant underground lair (and a giant bed of money) with his curvaceous, superficial girlfriend...who uses her awesome powers of wig-wearing to help Diabolik kill innocent people and steal billions from the government. Nonetheless, Diabolik is the "hero" of the film because he must face off against bumbling cops and revenge-seeking mafiosos.

My rating: 8/10

Will I watch it again? Gladly.




Groovy! Man, this flick is a total gas. It's total late 60s excess and extravagance, Bava style! Great cast, FANTASTIC Ennio Morricone score, neat color scheme, stylish costume design, huge Bond-worthy sets that would make Ken Adam smile. There's lots of action, sexiness and LOADS of fun.




The only real drawback, and it's a small one, is the 105 minute run time. After the bang zoom, fast paced first 45 or so minutes it starts to drag...but just a little. It's probably just that whenever Diabolik is on screen, shit's really super cool. It needs less non-Diabolik business. Still, it's a super fun ride from start to finish. It's too bad there weren't any sequels and I'm kind of not surprised this hasn't been re-made. That's a good thing, I suppose, as doing it in any style other than the way this one was would be a waste of time. DANGER: DIABOLIK was made at just the right time and with just the right talent.