Danger: Diabolik

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Danger: Diabolik
Theatrical release poster.
Directed by	Mario Bava
Produced by	Dino De Laurentiis Bruno Todin
Written by	Mario Bava Brian Degas Tudor Gates Dino Maiuri
Starring	John Phillip Law
Music by	Ennio Morricone
Cinematography	Antonio Rinaldi Mario Bava (uncredited)
Editing by	Romana Fortini
Distributed by	Paramount Pictures
Release date(s)	January 24, 1968
Running time	100 min
Country	Italy
Language	Italian
All Movie Guide profile
IMDb profile

Danger: Diabolik (also known simply as Diabolik) is a 1968 feature film from Italian filmmaker Mario Bava based on the Italian comic character Diabolik. It is the story of a skilled thief (played by John Phillip Law) living out of a ritzy hideout who steals incredible riches from the Italian government- including $10 million in cash, a highly prized set of emeralds, and an enormous gold ingot. Eva Kant was played by Marisa Mell, while Ginko was Michel Piccoli. A Dino De Laurentiis production (producer of Barbarella, which also featured Law), it had a notable musical score by Ennio Morricone.

While fairly faithful to the original, having Diabolik and Eva drive their black and white Jaguars, etc, the movie portrayed Eva more like a scantily-clad damsel in distress than is shown in the original stories.

In August 1999, the movie was featured in the final episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000 (although another out-of-sequence episode, Merlin's Shop of Mystical Wonders, was technically shown later). Scenes were used in the music video for the Beastie Boys' 1998 single "Body Movin'". The movie also influenced Roman Coppola's film CQ. The debut album from avant-garde metal band Fantômas is heavily influenced by Diabolik. In addition to the liner notes being comprised of frames from the Diabolik comic books, some songs also contain samples from the film.

Diabolik and Eva's Jaguar in the movie version

A recent American DVD release of the movie includes a documentary on the movie, including interviews with Illustrator/Writer Steven R. Bissette & Beastie Boy Adam Yauch (MCA). Also contains an audio commentary with John Philip Law (Diabolik himself) & Video Watchdog's Tim Lucas as well as Beastie Boys Music video for "Body Movin'".