April 25: Bava Forever — Bava died on this day 43 years ago. Let’s watch his movies.

Known in Italy as Gli invasori (The Invaders), this is the story of two Vikings, Erik (George Ardisson) and Eron (Cameron Mitchell), who are separated when Sir Rutford (Andrea Checchi) of England makes a surprise attack on their father, King Harald (Folco Lulli). In the battle, Eron is rescued, and when King Lotar (Franco Ressel) becomes angry that Rutford has gone against his orders, he is also killed. His wife, Queen Alice (Françoise Christophe), rescues Erik and raises him.

Twenty years later, King Olaf (Jean-Jacques Delbo) has made Eron his warrior of choice, ready to take the fight back to England. Meanwhile, Erik is made Duke of Helford and leader of the English Navy, but Rutford sabotages his ship and sets it on fire. In the battle to come, brother fights brother, brother discovers sister, and Eron dies, naming Erik to his title.

Together, the Viking, English, and Scottish armies defeat Rutford. At the same time, Erik becomes King of the Vikings with vestal virgin Rama (Alice Kessler) while her twin sister Daya (Ellen Kessler) sails alone with the body of her lover, Eron.

Shot in Rome’s Titanus Studios, this is director Mario Bava making use of all his camera tricks while also having good acting and amazing sets to work with. This is only the second movie he’d directed, and already you could see his power. There’s an incredible spider death trap and a mesmerizing beauty in the story of two brothers, long kept apart, first enemies and the twin sisters who love them. Yes, it was inspired by The Vikings, but the best Italian movies start with another movie and then do something all their own.

You can watch this on Tubi.