Born in Rome on 3 April 1944, Lamberto Bava established his career within the Italian film industry through a combination of television production and horror cinema. Following years of apprenticeship under his father, Mario Bava, he transitioned into independent directing with his 1980 debut feature, Macabre, subsequently navigating diverse genres ranging from giallo thrillers to television fairy tales.
Early Career and Collaboration
Bava began his professional life in the mid-1960s, working as an assistant director on his father’s production, Planet of the Vampires. He continued this collaborative relationship on subsequent films, including Danger: Diabolik in 1966, Twitch of the Death Nerve in 1971, and Shock in 1977. His contributions expanded to include screenwriting, earning him a Best Screenplay award at the Sitges Film Festival in 1978. Beyond his family projects, he also worked with director Ruggero Deodato on Ultimo mondo cannibale and Cannibal Holocaust.
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A meeting with Pupi Avati led to the 1980 release of Bava’s first solo feature, Macabre, which he co-wrote with Pupi and Antonio Avati. Following this, he assisted Dario Argento on Tenebre before directing the 1983 giallo film A Blade in the Dark. Throughout the mid-1980s, his filmography diverged into action and science fiction with titles such as Blastfighter and Monster Shark. His most notable partnership with Argento occurred in 1985 with the production of Demons, followed by the 1986 sequel, Demons 2.
Television Projects
During the late 1980s, Bava focused heavily on television, producing series such as Brivido giallo and Alta tensione. In 1990, he directed a remake of Black Sunday for the Sabbath series. He significantly shifted his thematic focus in the 1990s toward family-oriented fantasy, most notably with the Fantaghirò series, which spanned eight feature-length episodes by its conclusion in 1997. His other television works during this period included Desideria, Sorellina e il Principe del Sogno, and Caraibi.
Fast facts
- Born: 3 April 1944, Rome
- Citizenship: Italy
- Primary occupations: Director, screenwriter, actor
- Solo directorial debut: Macabre (1980)
- Collaborator: Mario Bava
- Notable series: Fantaghirò
- Awards: 1978 Sitges Film Festival Best Screenplay
Questions readers ask
What was Lamberto Bava's first solo film?
His first solo feature film as a director was Macabre, released in 1980.
Did Lamberto Bava work on television series?
Yes, he directed various television projects including the Brivido giallo series, Alta tensione, and the long-running Fantaghirò series.
Achievements
- Worked as film director, actor and screenwriter
