- For the episode, see MST3K 1013 - Diabolik.
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Diabolik is a 1968 crime thriller movie directed by Mario Bava.
Plot[]
The dreaded thief Diabolik wreaks havoc in Europe for his own financial gain and amusement. He shares an extravagant underground lair (and a giant bed of money) with his beautiful girlfriend Eva, who helps Diabolik in his schemes.
Diabolik steals a large amount of cash and later a necklace of magnificent emeralds, and is then targeted by the mafia and international law enforcement. After faking his own death and killing the mob kingpin, Diabolik plots to steal a shipment of gold, which proves to be his downfall (or is it?).
Cast[]
- John Phillip Law as Diabolik
- Marisa Mell as Eva Kant
- Michel Piccoli as Inspector Ginko
- Adolfo Celi as Ralph Valmont
- Terry-Thomas as Minister of the Interior
Notes[]
- The movie is based on Diabolik, one of the longest-running comic books in Italy. In the print version, Diabolik is much more sinister, fighting evil with evil and often resorting to murder to "punish" the evildoers he meets. The movie assumes some knowledge of the source material, and it was generally poorly-received outside Italy.
- Footage from this film was used in a Beastie Boys music video for their song "Body Movin'". The video is a parody of the movie and roughly follows the film's sequence of events, with a more deliberate comedic twist.
MST3K Connections[]
- Director, writer, and cinematographer Mario Bava was also co-director, cinematographer, lighting technician, and special effects director for Hercules Unchained, visual effects technician for Hercules and the Captive Women, and cinematographer, lighting technician, visual effects technician, and special effects director for Hercules.
- John Phillip Law also portrayed Elijah Kalgan in Space Mutiny.
- Marisa Mell also portrayed Charity Farrel in Secret Agent Super Dragon.
- Adolfo Celi also portrayed Beta in Operation Double 007.
- Andrea Bosic (bank manager) also portrayed Admiral Durand in Argoman the Fantastic Superman.
- Ennio Antonelli (syndicate member) also portrayed a trucker in Warrior of the Lost World.
- Giulio Donnini (Dr. Vernier) also portrayed the high priest in The Loves of Hercules.
- Actor and stunt double for John Philip Law Goffredo Unger (diplomat) also portrayed Remar in Hercules Against the Moon Men (also stuntman) and the fisherman who loses his arm in Devil Fish (also assistant director), as well as being assistant director and stunt coordinator for Starcrash.
- Composer Ennio Morricone was also composer for Operation Double 007.
- Cinematographer and camera operator Antonio Rinaldi was also gaffer for Hercules Unchained and Hercules.
- Art director and model effects Flavio Mogherini was also architect for Hercules Unchained and art director and set decorator for Hercules.
- Costume designer Giulio Coltellacci was also costume designer for Hercules.
- Makeup artist Otello Fava was also makeup artist for Hercules Unchained and Warrior of the Lost World.
- Assistant director Lamberto Bava was also director for Devil Fish.
- Musical director Bruno Nicolai was also composer for Operation Double 007 and composer, musical director, and orchestrator for Il Natale Che Quasi Non Fu.
- Edward Mannix (English dub voice of Ralph Valmont) also provided the English dub voices for Sandur in Cave Dwellers, Bill Stevens in Pod People, and President Henry Clark in Escape 2000, as well as unspecified voice dubbing in Master Ninja I.
- Robert Rietty (English dub voice of Sergeant Danek) also provided the English dub voice of Curt in The Castle of Fu Manchu
Critical Response[]
- Leonard Maltin wrote: "Three stars. Entertaining, tongue-in-cheek exploits of super-criminal Diabolik (Law), with wonderfully outré sets and costumes, stylish photography, and a bizarre psychedelic score by Ennio Morricone. An indelible ’60s time capsule based on the European comic-strip character."[1]
References[]
- ↑ Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide, 2015 Edition