A psycho black cat is on the prowl and killing people.

Lucio Fulci ‘freely adapts’ Edgar Allan Poe’s story. I never knew that Fulci had shot a film in Britain. And it’s glorious! Beautifully shot by Sergio Salvati, this is one of the most picturesque Fulci movies I’ve ever seen. Add to proceedings a fantastic cast (Patrick Magee, David Warbeck, Al Cliver and Mimsy (!) Farmer) and a stirring score by Pino Donnagio, and this is a joy to behold.

Whilst the locale may be quaint, the kills are prime Fulci and very full-on. A car crash (resplendent with the driver’s head crashing through the car’s windscreen and catching fire), a fall onto spikes, a fire in which a woman’s face is shown to melt like candle wax are to name but a few.

The cat in this film is a badass.

4 out of 5 stars