Arrow Video, out now

A family is terrorised in their new house, haunted by the vengeful ghost of the woman’s former husband, who possesses his young son.

Mario Bava’s (Black Sunday) 1977 final feature arrives on Blu-ray in a crisp new transfer from Arrow that also features a feast of content by Bavaphiles.

Otherwise known as Beyond the Door 2 in the States, the movie was released on a double bill in the UK with The Blood Spattered Bride in a poorly dubbed version. Both that version and the original Italian (with English subtitles) are included on the disc, and you really should opt for the latter.

Dario Argento’s former wife and collaborator, the late Daria Nicolodi, gives a career best performance as delicate Dora, recently remarried and returning to the house where she used to live with her now dead first husband. She’s here with new husband Bruno and son Marco and it’s not long before supernatural phenomena are experienced, from possession to poltergeist activity, all to a prog-rock score by Libra.

The movie was co-directed and co-written by Bava’s son Lamberto (Demons) and it doesn’t feel like vintage Mario, but it’s still an excellent example of Italian horror cinema. There’s a classic jump scare, some ingenious in-camera trickery (and the occasional wire showing!), but at its heart it’s Nicolodi’s movie. She starts at a 10 on the hysteria register and then pumps it up further. How much of this is in her mind – as dreams, recollections or premonitions – and how much is real? Is her former husband reaching out to her directly from beyond the grave, or through their son?

Arrow’s disc includes a new audio commentary by Bava aficionado Tim Lucas, a 30-minute video interview with Lamberto Bava, a 34-minute video interview with co-writer Dardano Sacchetti, as well as video essays by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas and Stephen Thrower, an image gallery and trailers.

Verdict: Flying box cutters, shredded knickers and dangerous furniture – it’s all happening to hysterical Dora at 33 Clock Street. An excellent package for a welcome HD release to join your Mario Bava collection. 9/10

Nick Joy