Katarsis


Katarsis is a 1963 Italian horror film directed and written by Giuseppe Vegezzi. It is Veggezzi's only film.

Production

Katarsis was shot at Odescalchi Castle in Bracciano and Montelibretti and Olympia Studios in Rome between 14 May and 7 June 1963. The film had a low budget of 46 million Italian lira. Christopher Lee was one of the few name actors in the film where he was on set for one week. In Lee's autobiography, he states that he never saw the film or its dailies and that it was later split into two films. This is incorrect; however, the film was released in two versions, the later one with more footage.

Release

Katarsis was released in Italy on September 9, 1963 where it was distributed by Mangusta. Shortly after the film received its distribution visa, the films production company I Della Films filed for bankruptcy. Katarsis was then purchased by Eco Films, and released it under the title of Sfida al diavolo in 1965. This version runs at 78 minutes and also includes new scenes involving a dancer.

Reception

Roberto Curti, author of Italian Gothic Horror Films, 1957-1969 described the director's work ranging between "naive and terrible".

Footnotes