Danger: Diabolik

 

 

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Imagine if James Bond were a master thief -- complete with beautiful girlfriend (monogamously, though), daredevil missions, and a wily talent for throwing off the cops.

That's the kind of character in the heart of "Danger Diabolik," a fun, kitschy adventure directed by Mario Bava. Bava's best movies were in the giallo genre, but he knows how to do the psychedelic cult movie -- and there's always the feeling that he's winking at the audience.

The police are being driven nuts by Diabolik, a brilliant master thief who makes off with loads of money, jewels and other valuables, with dogged Inspector Ginko (Michel Piccoli) right behind him. Then Ginko gets an offer from a mob boss (Adolfo Celi) to help him find Diabolik -- with a set of beautiful emeralds as the bait for Diabolik's beautiful girlfriend Eva (Marisa Mell).

The mob and the police lay an elaborate trap to capture Eva, knowing that Diabolik will walk right in. But Diabolik has some interesting tricks up his sleeve, and eludes capture oncea again. The government makes a last-ditch effort to keep their assets safe from Diabolik, and Ginko closes in on the master thief.

In a way, "Danger Diabolik" seems a bit like a Sixties allegory -- Diabolik steals from the stuffy government, and retreats to his mod hideaway for some free love with Eva. Well, whatever. But there's no message at all to this light-hearted action flick.

And while some parts of it feel a bit too Bondian, Bava presents it all in a sort of relaxed, don't-take-this-seriously manner. The dialogue tends to be second fiddle to the action and twisting plots, which reach the ultimate twist just seconds before "The End" rolls.

Bava eschewed his standard style in this one -- it's all eye-candy, full of plastic minidresses, twirling beds, silver welding suits, Marianne Faithfull hair some totally gratuitous body shots of Eva and Diabolik. But he also injects some sly comedy, such as when Diabolik releases laughing gas during a live teleconference.

Law is a bit wooden, but his biggest acting demand is looking intense; Mell is more animated as his pretty partner in crime (and it's nice to see a dashing antihero with a loving monogamous relationship). And Bava shows his skill with the characters by having Ginko and Diabolik grudgingly respect each other, even as they try to outwit each other.

A fun, colourful action flick, "Danger: Diabolik" is a slice of the Swinging Sixties at their most colourful, but without an ounce of heavy material. Diabolikal!

Danger:Diabolik is based on the same Comics wich was very cool and Mario bava was the right man for a real action movie on Danger:Diabolik!
The Moviesets he created is so small but they looked like they cost lot of hundredthousand dollars, but the cost in real was maybe 1000 Dollar!??!
Its a great superhero movie with the typically colourimpression of Mario Bava, the master of Italian Cinema and the creator of the Giallo Thrillers.
Danger:Diabolik got some spectaculary and stunning action scenes,good looking chicks and a nice and cute superhero.
Im so happy that this movie was released on DVD!
Are you too?
Buy and you will be!!

An excellent movie for people of all ages. It may sometimes seem like they are laying it on a little bit thick but if we keep in mind that movie is based on a comic book character, it all makes sense. The movie has a strong 60s James Bond feel to it but Diablolik isn't another one of those crime fighting heroes; he's a suave Juaguar driving thief who's next crime is always more spectacular then the last one.

Like most of Mario Bava's work, this movie provides a very cool visual experience and is loads of plain simple fun. I hope they release it on DVD very soon.

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4.0 out of 5 stars Total enjoyment
Once upon a time films were made with low budgets and heaps of imagination, and this is one of them. Lisez davantage

Published on Aug 19 2002 by Paul Williams

5.0 out of 5 stars CHEESY, But from another time!
I really enjoyed this movie! The effects are very dated, but watching it transported me to another time! You can see how different things where just 30 years ago!

Published on Mar 12 2002 by Louis

1.0 out of 5 stars Is that stud coming?
Danger: Diabolik had the dubious honor of being the last film ever to be torn apart mercilessly on MST3k. Lisez davantage

Published on Sep 9 2001 by Ryan Lohner

3.0 out of 5 stars Diabolikal Indeed
though terribly dubbed and atrociously adapted to full screen format this is a highly enjoyable mix of op-art and surreal narrative skills# far more subversive than zabriskie... Lisez davantage

Published on Mar 20 2001

3.0 out of 5 stars Danger Diabolik
Italian director Mario Bava, better known for his horror films, seems to be playing off the whole spy spoof genre, only this time he adds a little twist. Lisez davantage

Published on Nov 18 2000 by Beverly Kaynes

4.0 out of 5 stars James Bond as Anti-Hero
This is an amazing little film. Obviously a spaghetti spy offering,
the film was produced by Dino De Laurentiis. Lisez davantage

Published on May 21 2000 by Mark Savary

5.0 out of 5 stars Possibly the hero of James Bond, Matt Helm, and Flint.
Long, long before there was Austin Powers, there was Diabolik, brought to us as only Italian schlockmaster Mario Bava could bring him.

And it was good. Lisez davantage

Published on Feb 4 2000 by John Cobb

4.0 out of 5 stars A Spy/Caper Classic
What is with some of these reviewers? Don't they get it? How can you compare this movie to Austin Powers or to Rambo or Ninjas? Who knew what a ninja was in 1966? Lisez davantage

Published on Dec 28 1999 by Dave Wade

4.0 out of 5 stars This movie is so bad it's terrific!
Danger: Diabolik is one of those rare movies where situations and characters are so completely ludicrous that you'll end up in the emergency room being treated for cracked ribs... Lisez davantage

Published on Oct 8 1999 by Brian Calahan

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent zany movie
This is a must for anyone who like italian humour, waky and zany alot better than austin powers, also a excellent music score by Morricone, buy this movie.........

Published on Sep 22 1999

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