Mark Thompson-Ashworth

Virgil Oldman is a world renowned antiques expert and auctioneer. An eccentric genius, he leads a solitary life, going to extreme lengths to keep his distance from the messiness of human relationships. When appointed by the beautiful but emotionally damaged Claire to oversee the valuation and sale of her family’s priceless art collection, Virgil allows himself to form an attachment to her – and soon he is engulfed by a passion which will rock his bland existence to the core.

A young filmmaker in 1960s Paris juggles directing a cheesy sci-fi debacle, directing his own personal art film, coping with his crumbling relationship with his girlfriend, and a new-found infatuation with the sci-fi film's starlet.

In 1271, the Seventh Crusade has failed. During their retreat, the troops transport the remains of King Louis IX, the Holy King, across the peninsula. A world has ended, and five young people with nothing in common set out to find the location of the Holy Shroud, stolen by traitors at the French court. Their journey will take them from the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines to Thebes, where the sacred relic is hidden.

A young man's life is turned upside down when his violent dreams begin to blend with reality.

An ex-model gets caught up in lust, murder and betrayal when a gun-wielding man pays her a visit.

A redeemed ex-robber with a mysterious past, Dragan, and a young worker and father of a family, Daniele, share a passion for the game of chess, thanks to which they get to know each other and become good friends. When Mr. Assante, a wealthy and ruthless entrepreneur, decides to move his company abroad where the profits are greater, Daniele, unemployed and desperate for his disastrous financial conditions, convinces the reluctant Dragan to dust off his criminal past.

A group of US filmmakers travel to Cyprus to film a documentary in the tragically famous Hotel Gula - a once popular resort where more than 100 people died in mysterious circumstances. What begins as just another day at the office will eventually turn into a terrifying journey into the unknown.

Italian film devotee Mark Thompson Ashworth introduces "The Blancheville Monster", discussing the many borrowed Poe motifs, differences between the Italian and English dubs (one is technically set in Scotland, the other in France), and Gothic horror ‘touchstones.’ This video is included on the Arrow Video Blu-ray box set of "Gothic Fantastico - Four Italian Tales Of Terror".