The Devil's Game

In 1981, RAI-TV presented six hour-long films based on stories by 19th century horror/fantasy authors from veteran Italian directors. But it was the mini-series’ second episode that remains its most celebrated: The final work of legendary director Mario Bava – and the debut of his son Lamberto Bava as co-director – The Venus Of Ille, an elegantly chilling tale of supernatural love.

The Devil's Game - Episode 1 (The Sandman)

In 1981, RAI-TV presented six hour-long films based on stories by 19th century horror/fantasy authors from such directors as Giulio Questi (Django, Kill!), Marcello Aliprandi (A Whisper In The Dark), Mario Bava (Black Sabbath) and Giovanna Gagliardo (Street of Mirrors). In this premiere episode written by E.T.A Hoffmann and adapted/directed by Giulio Questi, a ma...Read More

The Devil's Game - Episode 2 (The Venus of Ille)

The final work of legendary director Mario Bava and the debut of his son Lamberto Bava as co-director. Daria Nicolodi and Marc Porel star in this elegant and haunting tale of supernatural love adapted from the novella by Prosper Mérimée that stands out as one of the Maestro's finest achievements.

The Devil's Game - Episode 3 (The Perfect Presence)

In this third episode, the vengeful spirit of a jilted groom curses the affair between an English author and his beautiful young lover. William Berger, Rada Rassimov and Franco Ressel star in this "classy ghost story with a solid cast and sumptuous production design" directed by Piero Nelli, based on the 19th century gothic novella by Henry James and featuring a sco...Read More

The Devil's Game - Episode 4 (The Possessed Hand)

In this fourth episode, directed by Marcello Aliprandi: In an age of rogues, gallows and spellcasters, the hand of a cuckolded young husband takes on a murderous life of its own. Veronica Lario and Guido Alberti co-star in this stylized shocker adapted from the 19th century novella by French poet Gérard de Nerval, featuring a score by Pino Donaggio.

The Devil's Game - Episode 5 (The Bottle Imp)

This fifth episode, adapted and directed by Tomaso Sherman: On the island of Samoa, a writer shares the account of a young sailor who acquires a mysterious bottle containing a demon that will grant his every wish...but whose tricky conditions could also guarantee his eternal damnation. Stefano Sabelli and Mario Santella star in this uniquely stylized series.

The Devil's Game - Episode 6 (The Dream of Another)

In the final episode a destitute medical student agrees to become the sole heir to a wealthy old man's sizable fortune only to discover that his inheritance may come at the ultimate price. Alfredo Pea, José Quaglio and Stefano Madia star in this "weird and dreamlike" tale adapted and directed by award-winning writer/filmmaker Giovanna Gagliardo and featuring a score...Read More