an old woman sit alone in a castle like house and star longingly at the window . after some beautiful image and music and she be kill by somebody strangle her with the rope . one of the most popular mario bava movie and bay of blood start in this fashion with a lengthy strangle scene . there be much more violent murder scene to look forward to in this movie so gore fan may not be disappoint . the twist here be that the killer of the old woman be reveal right at that time and buck movie convention . then at the same time and the killer be kill by another person . the count also disappear after this murder . the scene then shift to a man call frank ventura and his secretary ( provide some interesting nudity . ) . he be supposedly keen on negotiate a contract to inherit the bay own by the countess ( now reveal to be the old woman who be kill ) . after this the scene then shift to the other character involve in this grisly tale and a man name fossati and simone . late it be also reveal that fossati be marry to a fortune teller name anna fossati . thus when suspicion shift from character to character and a be the case with most giallo movie and there enter more character in the form of a bunch of youngster branch into more familiar slasher territory . later and the daughter of the count and renata arrives at the bay along with her husband alberto to investigate the disappearance of her father . reveal more about the movie may spoil the whole movie for those read this blog . the most interesting fact about this movie be that it buck the trend of most giallo movie in the sense that it doesn not have a fix formula and the plot may be confuse to even seasoned giallo enthusiast . the truth be many giallo or slasher fan may not be ready for the end which be so innovative and somewhat absurd that this movie may not satisfy giallo or slasher fan who expect a straightforward giallo . this movie serve a the precursor to the american slasher movie genre and many slasher movie have adopt the atmosphere and the style of bay of blood and some movie have even exactly copy some scene of the movie . also gore fan may also be satisfy by the violence which be incredible for a movie of the early 70 . it be quite fast pace so be quite accessible to most audience . the cast feature some seasoned actor like luigi pistilli and claudine auger . claudine auger ( a renata ) and in particular and have impress with her portrayal of a strong and single mind woman who dominate her husband and alberto ( luigi pistilli ) . the performance of laura betti a the fortune teller who foresee doom and leopoldo trieste a her husband who dislike frank ventura for attempt to damage the beauty of the bay and be also noteworthy . the score be also quite excellent give a mysterious feel to the whole movie . so the atmosphere be not hinder because of a cheesy score a be the case of most giallos . one factor that place it in the elite list of giallos and horror movie in general be that it be also a fascinating character study and greed be a common factor throughout the movie . almost all the character be quite unlikeable so there be no hero or people who we can root for . at the same time the character do not seem like caricature and thus they seem like real people who have be overcome by greed . the complex plot be also quite an achievement because at the end the piece fall into place quite perfectly . but the end seem somewhat of a rushed job but i feel it also have a symbolism . finally this movie be a winner because of the existence of the standard giallo characteristic which will definitely please the giallo purist . anna marie rosati and especially and be noticeable a one of the most beautiful woman in a giallo movie ever . unfortunately there be no full frontal nudity involve her . the need for such gratuitous nudity be satisfy by the four youngster who travel to the bay look to have some fun . gore fan may not be disappoint because of the existence of a scene where a character be slice in the face . also there be also another scene where two people be kill at once by a single spear when they be in bed together . the scene be quite violent even for the 70 . a for me and i have watch the movie about 5 time and it have end up on my top 5 list . this be one of the must see movie for giallo fan and horror fan in general . rating represent positive .