Mario Bava
- Known For
- Directing
- Born
- July 31, 1914 in Sanremo, Liguria, Italy
- Died
- April 27, 1980
- Active Years
- 1939–2025 (87 Years)
- Total Credits
- 174 credits in database
Directing Born Jul 31, 1914 Died Apr 27, 1980 Sanremo, Liguria, Italy 174 credits
Biography
Mario Bava was an Italian director, screenwriter, and cinematographer. He was born on July 31, 1914, in Sanremo, Liguria, Italy. Bava is remembered as one of the greatest names from the "golden age" of Italian horror films. He is also known by the alias John M. Old. Bava directed numerous films, with a known credit count of 100. His notable works include Odysseova dobrodružství, Strážníci a zloději, and Sei donne per l'assassino. Bava passed away on April 27, 1980, at the age of 65.
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Career overview
Mario Bava was an Italian director and screenwriter. He is remembered as one of the greatest names from the "golden age" of Italian horror films. Bava's career involved directing and working in the film industry.
Bava directed a significant number of films. He is known for his work on several notable films, including Odysseova dobrodružství, Strážníci a zloději, and Sei donne per l'assassino. These films demonstrate his involvement in the industry and his ability to direct a variety of projects.
Bava's career spanned several decades, with his birthdate being July 31, 1914, and his death occurring on April 27, 1980. He was born in Sanremo, Liguria, Italy, and worked as a director and screenwriter in the film industry.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Quelli che il cinema
Bloodthirst
Rabid Dogs · Original Film Writer
Bloodthirst
Masks · Thanks
Danger: Diabolik - From Fumetti to Film
Mario Bava: Operazione paura
Italian Kings Of B
Mario Bava: Maestro of the Macabre
Rabid Dogs · DirectorRabid Dogs · ScreenplayRabid Dogs · StoryRabid Dogs · Director of Photography
The Devil's Game · DirectorThe Venus of Ille · Director
Inferno · ThanksInferno · Second Unit DirectorInferno · Second Unit
Shock · Director of PhotographyShock · DirectorShock · Special Effects
Moses the Lawgiver · Special Effects Coordinator
The House of Exorcism · DirectorThe House of Exorcism · ScreenplayThe House of Exorcism · Director of Photography
Moses the Lawgiver · Special Effects Coordinator
Lisa and the Devil · DirectorLisa and the Devil · Screenplay
Baron Blood · DirectorBaron Blood · Director of PhotographyBaron Blood · Screenplay
A Bay of Blood · Director of PhotographyA Bay of Blood · DirectorA Bay of Blood · ScreenplayFour Times That Night · DirectorFour Times That Night · Director of Photography
Hatchet for the Honeymoon · DirectorHatchet for the Honeymoon · ScreenplayHatchet for the Honeymoon · Director of PhotographyHatchet for the Honeymoon · Camera OperatorHatchet for the Honeymoon · Title Designer
The Odyssey · Director
The Odyssey · DirectorThe Odyssey · CreatorDanger: Diabolik · ScreenplayDanger: Diabolik · DirectorDanger: Diabolik · Director of Photography
Dr. Goldfoot and the Girl BombsDr. Goldfoot and the Girl Bombs · DirectorKill, Baby... Kill! · ScreenplayKill, Baby... Kill! · DirectorKill, Baby... Kill! · Director of Photography
Planet of the Vampires · DirectorPlanet of the Vampires · Screenplay
Blood and Black Lace · WriterBlood and Black Lace · DirectorBlood and Black Lace · Director of PhotographyThe Road to Fort Alamo · DirectorThe Road to Fort Alamo · Director of Photography
Black Sabbath · DirectorBlack Sabbath · ScreenplayThe Whip and the Body · DirectorThe Girl Who Knew Too MuchThe Girl Who Knew Too Much · Director of Photography
Attack of the Normans · Second Unit Director
The Last of the Vikings · Additional Second Assistant DirectorThe Last of the Vikings · Additional Director of PhotographyHercules in the Haunted World · ScreenplayHercules in the Haunted World · DirectorHercules in the Haunted World · Director of Photography
Black Sunday · Special EffectsBlack Sunday · Director of PhotographyBlack Sunday · DirectorBlack Sunday · Matte PainterEsther and the King · Director of Photography
Hercules Unchained · Special EffectsHercules Unchained · Director of PhotographyHercules Unchained · Assistant DirectorThe Giant of Marathon · Special EffectsThe Giant of Marathon · Director of Photography
Full Filmography
174 titles- Quelli che il cinema (2025) as Self
- Bloodthirst (2022) as self
- Rabid Dogs (2015) Original Film Writer
- Bloodthirst (2013)
- Masks (2011) Thanks
- Danger: Diabolik - From Fumetti to Film (2005) as Self
- Mario Bava: Operazione paura (2004) as Self
- Italian Kings Of B (2003) as Self
- Mario Bava: Maestro of the Macabre (2000) as Self (archive footage)
- Rabid Dogs (1995) Director
- Rabid Dogs (1995) Screenplay
- Rabid Dogs (1995) Story
- Rabid Dogs (1995) Director of Photography
- The Devil's Game (1981) Director
- The Venus of Ille (1981) Director
- Inferno (1980) Thanks
- Inferno (1980) Second Unit Director
- Inferno (1980) Second Unit
- Shock (1977) Director of Photography
- Shock (1977) Director
- Shock (1977) Special Effects
- Moses the Lawgiver (1976) Special Effects Coordinator
- The House of Exorcism (1975) Director
- The House of Exorcism (1975) Screenplay
- The House of Exorcism (1975) Director of Photography
- Moses the Lawgiver (1974) Special Effects Coordinator
- Lisa and the Devil (1973) Director
- Lisa and the Devil (1973) Screenplay
- Baron Blood (1972) Director
- Baron Blood (1972) Director of Photography
- Baron Blood (1972) Screenplay
- A Bay of Blood (1971) Director of Photography
- A Bay of Blood (1971) Director
- A Bay of Blood (1971) Screenplay
- Four Times That Night (1971) Director
- Four Times That Night (1971) Director of Photography
- Hatchet for the Honeymoon (1970) Director
- Hatchet for the Honeymoon (1970) Screenplay
- Hatchet for the Honeymoon (1970) Director of Photography
- Hatchet for the Honeymoon (1970) Camera Operator
- Hatchet for the Honeymoon (1970) Title Designer
- Five Dolls for an August Moon (1970) Editor
- Five Dolls for an August Moon (1970) Director
- Five Dolls for an August Moon (1970) Director of Photography
- Five Dolls for an August Moon (1970) Additional Writing
- Roy Colt and Winchester Jack (1970) Director
- The Odyssey (1969) Director
- The Odyssey (1968) Director
- The Odyssey (1968) Creator
- Danger: Diabolik (1968) Screenplay
- Danger: Diabolik (1968) Director
- Danger: Diabolik (1968) Director of Photography
- Naked You Die (1968) Screenplay
- Dr. Goldfoot and the Girl Bombs (1966) as Angel with Harp (uncredited)
- Dr. Goldfoot and the Girl Bombs (1966) Director
- Kill, Baby... Kill! (1966) Screenplay
- Kill, Baby... Kill! (1966) Director
- Kill, Baby... Kill! (1966) Director of Photography
- Gunman Called Nebraska (1966) Matte Painter
- Gunman Called Nebraska (1966) Director of Photography
- Gunman Called Nebraska (1966) Director
- Knives of the Avenger (1966) Director
- Knives of the Avenger (1966) Director of Photography
- Knives of the Avenger (1966) Writer
- Planet of the Vampires (1965) Director
- Planet of the Vampires (1965) Screenplay
- Blood and Black Lace (1964) Writer
- Blood and Black Lace (1964) Director
- Blood and Black Lace (1964) Director of Photography
- The Road to Fort Alamo (1964) Director
- The Road to Fort Alamo (1964) Director of Photography
- Black Sabbath (1963) Director
- Black Sabbath (1963) Screenplay
- The Whip and the Body (1963) Director
- The Girl Who Knew Too Much (1963) as Uncle Augusto
- The Girl Who Knew Too Much (1963) Director of Photography
- The Girl Who Knew Too Much (1963) Director
- The Girl Who Knew Too Much (1963) Screenplay
- Attack of the Normans (1962) Second Unit Director
- The Last of the Vikings (1961) Additional Second Assistant Director
- The Last of the Vikings (1961) Additional Director of Photography
- Hercules in the Haunted World (1961) Screenplay
- Hercules in the Haunted World (1961) Director
- Hercules in the Haunted World (1961) Director of Photography
- Hercules in the Haunted World (1961) Story
- Erik the Conqueror (1961) Director
- Erik the Conqueror (1961) Story
- Erik the Conqueror (1961) Director of Photography
- Erik the Conqueror (1961) Screenplay
- The Wonders of Aladdin (1961) Director
- The Wonders of Aladdin (1961) Special Effects
- The Wonders of Aladdin (1961) Second Unit Director
- The Wonders of Aladdin (1961) Second Unit Director of Photography
- Black Sunday (1960) Special Effects
- Black Sunday (1960) Director of Photography
- Black Sunday (1960) Director
- Black Sunday (1960) Matte Painter
- Esther and the King (1960) Director of Photography
- Son of Samson (1960) Second Unit Director
- Morgan, the Pirate (1960) Director of Photography
- Hercules Unchained (1959) Special Effects
- Hercules Unchained (1959) Director of Photography
- Hercules Unchained (1959) Assistant Director
- The Giant of Marathon (1959) Special Effects
- The Giant of Marathon (1959) Director of Photography
- The White Warrior (1959) Director of Photography
- The White Warrior (1959) Assistant Director
- Caltiki, the Immortal Monster (1959) as Mexican at police station (uncredited)
- Caltiki, the Immortal Monster (1959) Special Effects
- Caltiki, the Immortal Monster (1959) Director of Photography
- Caltiki, the Immortal Monster (1959) Co-Director
- Hercules (1958) Special Effects
- Hercules (1958) Director of Photography
- City at Night (1958) Director of Photography
- The Day the Sky Exploded (1958) Director of Photography
- The Day the Sky Exploded (1958) Director
- Lust of the Vampire (1957) Director of Photography
- Lust of the Vampire (1957) Story
- Lust of the Vampire (1957) Screenplay
- Nero's Mistress (1956) Special Effects
- Nero's Mistress (1956) Director of Photography
- Roland the Mighty (1956) Director of Photography
- Beautiful But Dangerous (1955) Director of Photography
- Good night… lawyer! (1955) Director of Photography
- Non c'è amore più grande (1955) Director of Photography
- High School (1954) Director of Photography
- Crazy Things (1954) Director of Photography
- Sins of Casanova (1954) Director of Photography
- They Stole a Tram (1954) Director of Photography
- Graziella (1954) Director of Photography
- It Happened in the Park (1953) Director of Photography
- The Street of Hope (1953) Director of Photography
- Perdonami! (1953) Director of Photography
- Toys and perfumes (1953) Director of Photography
- Dad Becomes Mom (1952) Director of Photography
- The Passaguai Family Gets Rich (1952) Director of Photography
- Sunday Heroes (1952) Director of Photography
- Love I Haven't... But... But (1951) Director of Photography
- Cops and Robbers (1951) Director of Photography
- Spring song (1951) Director of Photography
- La famiglia Passaguai (1951) Director of Photography
- Her Favourite Husband (1950) Director of Photography
- Her Favourite Husband (1950) Special Effects
- The Knight is Here (1950) Director of Photography
- A Dog’s Life (1950) Director of Photography
- L'ospedale del delitto (1950) Director of Photography
- Miss Italia (1950) Director of Photography
- Musical Whim (1950) Director
- Anthony of Padua (1949) Director of Photography
- Variazioni Sinfoniche (1949) Director
- Variazioni Sinfoniche (1949) Director of Photography
- Pagliacci (1948) Director of Photography
- Lezioni di Geometria (1948) Director of Photography
- Mad About Opera (1948) Director of Photography
- This Wine of Love (1947) Director of Photography
- Anfiteatro Flavio (1947) Director of Photography
- Anfiteatro Flavio (1947) Director
- Christmas at Camp 119 (1947) Director of Photography
- Legenda Sinfonica (1947) Director
- Legenda Sinfonica (1947) Director of Photography
- Men and Skies (1947) Director of Photography
- Santa Notte (1947) Director of Photography
- Santa Notte (1947) Director
- L'orecchio (1946) Editor
- L'orecchio (1946) Director
- L'orecchio (1946) Director of Photography
- L'orecchio (1946) Producer
- Sant'Elena, piccola isola (1943) Director of Photography
- L'avventura di Annabella (1943) Director of Photography
- The White Ship (1941) Assistant Camera
- Men in the Deep (1941) Camera Operator
- La compagnia della teppa (1941) Camera Operator
- La vispa Teresa (1939) Director of Photography
- Il tacchino prepotente (1939) Director of Photography
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Mario Bava best known for?
Mario Bava is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including I, The Investigator (1972), Inferno (1980), Inferno (1980), Inferno (1980).
When and where was Mario Bava born?
Mario Bava was born on July 31, 1914 in Sanremo, Liguria, Italy. They passed away on April 27, 1980.
How many credits does Mario Bava have?
Mario Bava has accumulated over 174 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1939 to 2025.
What is Mario Bava's background in cinema and television?
Mario Bava was an Italian director, screenwriter, and cinematographer. He was born on July 31, 1914, in Sanremo, Liguria, Italy. Bava is remembered as one of the greatest names from the "golden age" of Italian horror films. He is also known by the alias John M. Old. Bava directed numerous films, with a known credit cou...
Mario Bava by the numbers
174credits
169films
5TV series
1939–2025active years
Age in their best-rated roles
- The Girl Who Knew Too Much (1963) as Uncle Augusto — aged about 48
- Dr. Goldfoot and the Girl Bombs (1966) as Angel with Harp (uncredited) — aged about 51
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