Mario Bava was an Italian filmmaker whose work goes wildly unrecognized today. Yet, despite this he is seen as the godfather of modern-day horror, having inspired some of cinema’s greatest filmmakers, such as Martin Scorsese, Quinton Tarantino, Ridley Scott, Francis Ford Coppola, and more. Now, in 2022, his story and legacy will be told in a brand-new documentary titled Mario Bava – The Godfather of Modern Horror (2022). The feature will include commentary from some of today’s leading film artists and directors as they take audiences on an odyssey that explores Bava’s wildly creative and rebellious works that revolutionized the horror genre.

Most of Bava’s films struggled to find commercial success during their initial release, but many of them would reach classic cult status in time. Their content and production values are today seen in the same light as that of an Alfred Hitchcock film. His lack of success was partially his own fault, as his shy and self-deprecating demeanor prevented him from seizing opportunities in the film industry that would have furthered his career. It would seem there were doors open for him to achieve the recognition he deserved but his introverted personality prevented him from accepting multiple Hollywood opportunities.

Several of Bava’s films have been noted for their revolutionary impact on their respective genres, such as The Girl Who Knew Too Much is widely seen as the very first Giallo film. Kill, Baby, Kill is said to have heavily influenced the iconography of modern J-horror. His film Roy Colt & Winchester Jack is regarded as the first self-parodying Spaghetti Western film, and his A Bay of Blood is seen as the precursor to the slasher film. You can find some of his films for free on YouTube to see for yourself where modern-day horror got its start. Bava’s films opened the door for many of our favorite films in horror, a genre that would not have come as far as it has today without him. Bava walked so men like Carpenter, Barker, Scorsese, and Copala could run.