Danger: Diabolik (1968)

65% of critics liked it
(17 reviews)
69% of users liked it
(4,376 ratings)

Diabolik (John Phillip Law) is the criminal mastermind who has just pulled off a huge heist. He spends most of his free time with his girlfriend, Eva (Marisa Mell), in fond embrace. The police minister (Terry-Thomas) is approached by Valmont (Adolfo Celi), a master criminal who proposes to use his… More Diabolik (John Phillip Law) is the criminal mastermind who has just pulled off a huge heist. He spends most of his free time with his girlfriend, Eva (Marisa Mell), in fond embrace. The police minister (Terry-Thomas) is approached by Valmont (Adolfo Celi), a master criminal who proposes to use his underworld connections to catch Diabolik for the police. In between their gratuitous lovemaking, he and the exotic Eva are chased by police and the mob in this plodding crime drama. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 39 min.
Directed By: Mario Bava
Written By: Angela Giussani, Luciana Giussani, Mario Bava, Adriano Baracco, Brian Degas
Genres: Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense, Classics

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1968 Wide
On DVD: Jun 14, 2005

Critic Reviews

Howard Thompson, New York Times
Infantile junk.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Although it's too long and eventually loses track of Itself, Danger: Diabolik is very nearly the movie Barbarella should have been.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Way too much like something left over from the Adam West Batman series to impress me the way it was supposed to.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Stylish lightweight silly tongue-in-cheek B movie caper film.
Erich Kuersten, PopMatters
For Bava as for Daibolik, aesthetic beauty and tactile sensation trump emotional connection and spiritual depth.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
A super-stylish live-action adaptation of the popular 1960s European comic-strip.
Ian Berriman, SFX Magazine
If it's subtext you're after then you'll be disappointed, but if a sensual celebration of flipping the bird to the man sounds like your thing, then you'll adore this film.
Nick Setchfield, SFX Magazine
Yes, this is an exercise in consummate cool -- the story itself is negligible, the characters blanks -- but hey, a triumph of style over substance is still a triumph.
Steve Biodrowski, Cinefantastique
... one of the best films from the late Italian director Mario Bava
Tom Milne, Time Out
A delightfully outlandish comic strip directed by the master of the Italian B movie.
Keith Phipps, AV Club
Bava lets the action play loose and big, but a sly subversion lurks beneath its camp exterior.
Alan Simpson, Sex Gore Mutants
gorgeous visual eye candy with a delightful sense for the absurd
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
Looking at the film on Paramount's superb new DVD, it's clear that a neglected masterpiece of the genre has now emerged.
Sean Axmaker, St@tic Multimedia
... a surreal mix of spy movie, heist thriller, and anti-establishment satire, all with delirious style and tongue firmly in cheek.
Brian Thomas, Now Playing Magazine
A four-color comic book come to life.
James Kendrick, Q Network Film Desk
parts of it are patently ridiculous, but pound for pound it is a more thrilling and clever cinematic joyride than the vast majority of what Hollywood produces today
, Film4
An outrageously funny and cheeky comic-strip-style movie.

Read all 17 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Tsubaki S

Bava's direction is what truly makes D:D stand above other similar cinematic affairs. Morricone's super groovy soundtrack helps a lot too. A shame Adolfo Celi doesn't get as much screen time as he could.
Tim S

Not quite the campfest I expected. Mediocre, but worth a watch.
Stella D

james bond meets the pink panther with a whole lot of sixties pop style. the weak script and cheesy acting don't keep this from being great fun. really cool score and groovy set designs but bava could make most anything look great! campy cult classic
Bruce B

Danger Diabolik - A outstanding movie from 1968. Diabolik was taken from an Italian Comic, much like our marvel comics. Diabolik movie was made about the same time as Batman (adam West) Appeared on our TV screens, good thing we didn't see Diabolik as we would have never turn… More
Danger Diabolik - A outstanding movie from 1968. Diabolik was taken from an Italian Comic, much like our marvel comics. Diabolik movie was made about the same time as Batman (adam West) Appeared on our TV screens, good thing we didn't see Diabolik as we would have never turn Batman Back on. Move over Batman, Austin Powers, and James Bond. Bava and Diabolik are king. If you haven't seen or heard of this movie give it a chance.
Ken S

I can't even begin to describe the cornucopia of ocular delights that is Danger: Diabolik. One of the grooviest movies ever! This movie DRIPS with pop coolness
Dean M

An okay action-adventure of a suave, psychedelic-era thief, based on an Italian comic book, outwits the police and government agents assigned to catch him in a garishly coloured playful spoof.
Michael G

Another great Mario Bava flick. In 1968 it was one of the first comic book adaptations and it also doubles as a visual orgy. It's got a great Ennio Morricone score and it's also got all the fun with none of the cheese from the Adam West Batman series. Its also erotic but not… More
Another great Mario Bava flick. In 1968 it was one of the first comic book adaptations and it also doubles as a visual orgy. It's got a great Ennio Morricone score and it's also got all the fun with none of the cheese from the Adam West Batman series. Its also erotic but not sleazy and most importantly, it just kicks ass and helped establish the anti-hero. The animated sequence was also very nice.
Eric B

A thoroughly entertaining, great-looking film. Before tonight, I considered "Danger: Diabolik" the #1 movie that I had not seen yet, and it did not disappoint me. "Diabolik" was contemporary with the "Batman" television series, and has a similar… More
A thoroughly entertaining, great-looking film. Before tonight, I considered "Danger: Diabolik" the #1 movie that I had not seen yet, and it did not disappoint me. "Diabolik" was contemporary with the "Batman" television series, and has a similar comic-book allure of colorful visuals, far-fetched crime schemes and specialized, high-tech devices. There's even a lavish, underground hideout. But "Diabolik" is not as campy as "Batman" -- you'll smile, but you won't snicker. And let's not overlook its secret weapon: a marvelous score by Ennio Morricone, working out of his element and excelling in a more rock-oriented, spy-flick style. Director Mario Bava's cost-cutting through using matte paintings instead of sets is incredible, and makes me want to research his techniques further. Bava apparently made the film for $400,000 despite an allotted budget of $3 million and, apart from some clunky back projection during car-chase scenes, its production values never seem shoddy. Though obviously a creature of its time, "Diabolik" is still delightful.
Walter M

[font=Century Gothic]In "Danger: Diabolik", the authorities are frustrated by the thefts(especially the last $10 million) committed by dashing criminal mastermind, Diabolik(John Philip Law), and his lady love/partner-in-crime, Eva(Marisa Mell). The Minister of the… More
[font=Century Gothic]In "Danger: Diabolik", the authorities are frustrated by the thefts(especially the last $10 million) committed by dashing criminal mastermind, Diabolik(John Philip Law), and his lady love/partner-in-crime, Eva(Marisa Mell). The Minister of the Interior(Terry-Thomas) gives the police far-reaching powers including the reinstatement of the death penalty(like that's ever stopped anybody...). Inspector Ginko(Michel Piccoli) cracks down on all of the criminal activity he can find which cuts into the profit margins of crimelord, Valmont(Adolfo Celi). So, Valmont cuts a deal with the police where he offers to bring in Diabolik himself...[/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font] [font=Century Gothic]"Danger: Diabolik" is fun in a deliriously campy way. It helps that there are antiestablishment overtones throughout and a tender love story at the heart of the movie. But it is also very dated and some of it felt like reading Architectural Digest while on acid.(Children do not do that at home.)[/font]
Patrick D

I haven't seen much Bava, but I know well that that horror was his forte. Of the 2 horrors I've seen of his, I didn't think they were anything to sneeze at, but at the same time, they just didn't catch me, and I felt as if they were quite passable. When speaking… More
I haven't seen much Bava, but I know well that that horror was his forte. Of the 2 horrors I've seen of his, I didn't think they were anything to sneeze at, but at the same time, they just didn't catch me, and I felt as if they were quite passable. When speaking of this film, not horror, but a slick actiony satire, it is very hard to not pay attention and love. This flick is so cool and funny and kickass it just really gets to you in a good way and allows you to cheer for an actual terrible person, but who's just so damn classy. This review is confusing I'm sure and not well thought out.
Marcus W

This film is a wonder, like Bond but not quite. Diabolik is not evil, but neither is he right He steals what he wants, gets away every time, His methods are genius, if must he will mime. This film should be seen, much fun to be seen, It's 60's as hell, but also quite… More
This film is a wonder, like Bond but not quite. Diabolik is not evil, but neither is he right He steals what he wants, gets away every time, His methods are genius, if must he will mime. This film should be seen, much fun to be seen, It's 60's as hell, but also quite lean.
Christopher B

Finally, a live action version of Wile E Coyote and the Roadrunner! Bava does an amazing job visually, showing the antics of the world's greatest thief and the detective who's out to get him. I just wish Diabolik would occasionally say "Beep Beep" as he gets away.
Wu C

Possibly the best comic book adaptation I've seen. Bava knows his camera and stages some beautiful shots. Should be seen by everyone.