A lesser remake of Margheriti's own Castle of Blood. Film is inferior to the original in every respect but still not without its charms. Anthony Franciosa is quite likable as the male lead, and so is Michelle Mercier who took up the role originally played by Barbara Steele. For a short period in mid 1960's Mercier was one of the main box-office attractions in France and she had appeared in numerous Italian movies as well, including Bava's classic Black Sabbath (1963). However, by 1971 her carrier was in decline and soon she would go into semi-retirement. Just like Barbara Steele was typecast into playing the same mysterious dead/ghost//supernatural ladies, so was Michelle Mercier condemned to play variations of her Huge Success - Angélique (1964) series that made her a household name in France as well as in many countries of eastern block and USSR. Actually, in many territories she is the main selling point of this film, while in others, including most English language countries, her name doesn't mean much and it is Klaus Kinski who is the main attraction - even if here he plays actually a supporting character. To be completely honest, it is Antony Franciosa who deserves most most compliments here - he is quite good, not a "wooden imported american star" like it is often the case in Italian genre films of the time.
Review of Web of the Spider
Web of the Spider
(1971)
A lesser but still enjoyable remake of Margheriti's own Castle of Blood
4 December 2021