Blood Bath 1966
Directed by
Jack Hill
Made by
Avala Film
Blood Bath Plot Summary
Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Blood Bath (1966). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.
In an unidentified locale, art student and model Daisy Allen [Marissa Mathes] leaves a club after an argument with her beatnik boyfriend Max [Karl Schanzer]. Walking through the deserted streets, she stops to admire some gruesome paintings in a gallery window painted by artist Antonio Sordi [William Campbell], who coincidentally also comes by to look in on his “lost children.” After a friendly conversation, they return to Sordi’s studio in a room beneath an old bell tower, where Sordi convinces the young woman to pose for him. There, however, Sordi is possessed by the spirit of a long-dead ancestor and suddenly transforms into a vampiric monster who hacks the screaming Daisy to death with a cleaver, then lowers her mutilated corpse into a vat of boiling substance.
In vampiric form, Sordi has already killed a lone woman in the town square, then takes her to a nearby car and feigns kissing her so that a pair of oncoming pedestrians assume they are just lovers sharing an intimate moment. Another victim is approached at a party, chased into a swimming pool, and drowned there after the other guests have moved into the house. The murdered women are carried back to Sordi’s studio and painted by the artist, their bodies then covered in wax. Because his vampiric self looks nothing like Sordi, facially, no one connects him with the rash of murders.
Max wants to make up with Daisy but cannot find her anywhere. After recognizing her as the model in Sordi’s painting of her, which is now on display at a local beatnik cafe, he goes to see her sister Donna Allen [Sandra Knight]. Donna tells Max she hasn’t seen Daisy for days, and is concerned about the recent rash of disappearances. She reads Max the legend of Sordi’s 15th-century ancestor Erno, a painter condemned to be burned at the stake for capturing his subjects’ souls on canvas and being a vampire. Unable to convince Max that Antonio Sordi might also be a vampire, she confronts the artist at his studio and asks him if he has seen Daisy. He angrily brushes her off. That night, Sordi follows Donna through the streets and murders her as she tries to escape from him on a carousel.
The “human” Sordi is in love with Dorian [Lori Saunders], an avant-garde ballerina, Daisy’s former roommate and a lookalike for both Donna and Melizza. At first he tries to protect her from his vampiric tendencies, warning her his studio is a cheerless place and at one point breaking a date with her to spend time gaining control of himself after murdering Daisy. But one day at the beach, she reveals her attraction to him and asks him to make love to her. He panics and runs away. As Dorian leaves the beach, she is approached by the vampiric Sordi, who chases her back to town, where she is rescued by Max and two of his beatnik friends. They pursue the vampire while Dorian, shaken, and unaware the vampire is really Sordi, proceeds to the bell tower to try to get understanding why he fled from her.
Sordi returns and finds Dorian in his studio. He madly enmeshes her in some netting, then comes at her with a knife, apparently believing she is really Melizza [Lori Saunders]. But before he can harm her, numerous wax figures on the floor of the studio begin to move, come alive, and kill him. Max and his friends arrive, break in, and free Dorian.
Blood Bath Timeline
Follow the complete movie timeline of Blood Bath (1966) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.
Daisy leaves the club and encounters Sordi
Daisy departs the club after an argument with Max and wanders into the night streets. She pauses to admire gruesome paintings in a gallery window by Antonio Sordi, who happens to be looking at his own 'lost children.' They strike up a friendly conversation and head together to Sordi's studio beneath an old bell tower.
Daisy is invited to pose for Sordi
Back at the studio, Sordi convinces the anxious Daisy to pose for him in a room beneath the bell tower. She begins to settle into the pose as the artist studies her, their exchange growing tense but still cordial. The moment hints at dark undertones as the studio's atmosphere becomes increasingly unsettling.
Sordi becomes a vampiric killer and murders Daisy
As Daisy poses, a possessing force overtakes Sordi and he transforms into a vampiric monster. He slashes Daisy to death with a cleaver, then lowers her mutilated body into a vat of boiling substance. The room's chill mood mirrors the horror of the act.
Sordi's first vampiric murder in public
In vampiric form, Sordi has already killed a lone woman in the town square. He drags her to a nearby car and feigns kissing her, fooling onlookers into believing they are merely lovers sharing a moment. The deception allows him to vanish into the crowd for his next victim.
A party murder and pool drowning
Another victim is approached at a party, chased into a swimming pool, and drowned there after the other guests have moved inside. The scene showcases the vampiric Sordi's growing boldness and his disregard for witnesses. The town's festive surface masks a rising wave of disappearances.
Bodies brought back and waxed in the studio
The murdered women are carried back to Sordi's studio and painted by the artist, their bodies then covered in wax. This act transforms the victims into eerie, preserved figures that echo Sordi's obsession with capturing souls on canvas. The studio becomes a macabre gallery of his 'art.'
Max discovers the painting of Daisy
Max wants to reconcile with Daisy but cannot find her. He later recognizes that the Daisy depicted in Sordi's painting on display at a beatnik cafe resembles the missing girl. This realization ties the artist to the disappearances and Daisy's fate.
Donna warns Max and introduces the legend
Max visits Daisy's sister Donna, who confirms Daisy hasn't been seen for days and is worried about the rash of disappearances. Donna reads Max the legend of Erno, a 15th-century painter condemned for capturing souls and becoming a vampire. Her warning plants seeds of doubt about Sordi.
Donna confronts Sordi
Donna confronts Antonio Sordi at his studio and asks whether he has seen Daisy. He responds with anger, brushing her off and deepening the suspicion that he is involved in the murders. The confrontation foreshadows the looming confrontation.
Donna becomes Sordi's next victim on the carousel
That night, Sordi follows Donna through the streets and murders her as she attempts to escape on a carousel. The act confirms that he targets those connected to Daisy and sustains his murderous spree. The town reels from another shocking loss.
Sordi's love for Dorian complicates his struggle
Meanwhile, the 'human' Sordi is in love with Dorian, an avant-garde ballerina who resembles both Donna and a former love. He tries to protect her from his vampiric tendencies, warning her that his studio is a bleak place and even breaking a date to gain control after Daisy's murder. The internal conflict heightens the tragedy.
Beach confession and pursuit
At the beach, Dorian reveals her attraction to him and asks him to make love. Sordi panics and runs away, fleeing toward town. As Dorian heads inland, the vampiric Sordi closes in, and Max with two beatnik friends pursue the vampire to protect her.
Dorian seeks understanding at the bell tower
Dorian goes to the bell tower to understand why Sordi fled from her and to seek clarity about his behavior. The isolation of the tower underscores the emotional distance between them and the growing mystery surrounding Sordi. Her visit foreshadows the coming confrontation.
Final confrontation: wax figures kill Sordi
Sordi returns and finds Dorian in his studio. He mistakes her for Meliza and attacks with a knife, enmeshing her in netting. Before he can hurt her, the wax figures on the studio floor come alive, kill him, and Max and his friends break in to free Dorian.
Blood Bath Characters
Explore all characters from Blood Bath (1966). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.
Daisy Allen (Marissa Mathes)
Daisy is an art student and model who leaves a club after an argument with her beatnik boyfriend Max. She becomes the subject of Antonio Sordi's morbid paintings after visiting his studio. Daisy's abrupt disappearance and murder drive the investigation by Max and Donna.
Antonio Sordi (William Campbell)
A gifted painter who is possessed by the spirit of a 15th-century ancestor, transforming into a vampiric killer. In human form he appears charming and sensitive, particularly toward Dorian, but is haunted by a predatory urge. When the vampire takes over, he murders women and then uses painting and wax to conceal his crimes.
Max (Karl Schanzer)
Daisy's beatnik boyfriend; he wants to reconcile with Daisy but struggles to track her down. He becomes suspicious of the disappearances and directly confronts Sordi. He, along with his beatnik friends, pursues the vampire to protect Dorian and rescue Daisy's sister.
Dorian (Lori Saunders)
An avant-garde ballerina and Daisy's former roommate; lookalike for both Donna and Meliza. She is initially drawn to Sordi's human side, and she is pursued by the vampiric Sordi after she leaves the beach. She is rescued by Max and his friends when wax figures kill Sordi.
Donna Allen (Sandra Knight)
Daisy's sister who worries about her disappearance; she reads the legend of Sordi's ancestor Erno and confronts the artist to warn Max. She questions his control and tries to learn the truth; she serves as the connective tissue between Sordi's past and present.
Tall Beatnik (Sid Haig)
A tall, enigmatic beatnik who is part of Max's circle; he accompanies Max and others in chasing the vampire. He represents the counterculture's energy and provides support during the pursuit.
Cafe Manager (Biff Elliot)
Manager of a cafe that becomes a beatnik gathering place and a setting for the film's early scenes. He provides a backdrop of bohemian life and social space that frames the murders.
Blood Bath Settings
Learn where and when Blood Bath (1966) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.
Time period
The events unfold in a mid-20th-century bohemian setting, with beatnik cafes, avant-garde studios, and an art-driven subculture. Night-time streets, car rides, and gallery windows establish a moody, urban backdrop. The era's counterculture mood amplifies the film's themes of passion, rebellion, and the blurred line between art and violence.
Location
Locations shift between a dimly lit gallery window, Sordi's shadowy studio beneath an old bell tower, and the town's nocturnal streets. The studio is where bodies are painted, waxed, and stored as part of Sordi's morbid canvas. The setting has a bohemian, moonlit vibe that heightens the sense of danger and art colliding with death.
Blood Bath Themes
Discover the main themes in Blood Bath (1966). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.
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Duality
Antonio Sordi harbors a double life, outwardly charming as a painter while an ancient vampiric hunger simmers beneath the surface. The vampire's presence disguises murder behind a handsome facade, confusing allies and bystanders alike. The clash between Sordi's human mask and his monstrous alter ego drives the tragedy, as victims vanish while art continues to flourish. The revelations about identity unfold through the artist's paintings and the disappearances they conceal.
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Art and Obsession
Painting is both weapon and prison, with Sordi capturing souls and sealing them in wax. The line between creator and killer blurs as his art exerts control over the living and the dead. The bohemian setting amplifies this fixation, turning galleries and studios into macabre stages. The victims' souls become part of a morbid, growing gallery that others mistake for mere art.
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Wax Figures
Wax figures on the studio floor come alive, enacting judgment against the killer. The living sculptures embody the victims and shatter the illusion that art and life are separate. The climactic confrontation turns the space into a trap where art literally animates death. Max and his friends break in to free Dorian as the wax-sealed murder spree reaches its gruesome end.
Blood Bath Spoiler-Free Summary
Discover the spoiler-free summary of Blood Bath (1966). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.
In a dimly lit town where bohemian cafés flicker beside crumbling stone, an isolated art studio looms beneath an ancient bell tower. Within its shadowed walls works Antonio Sordi, a tormented painter whose canvases are drenched in macabre obsession. By daylight he moves among beat‑driven poets and aspiring models, searching for the perfect muse to capture the darkness that haunts his imagination. When the sun fades, a restless thirst awakens within him, turning his creative compulsion into something far more primal.
The city’s creative undercurrent offers a fragile sanctuary for Antonio, but it also mirrors his own inner turmoil. He is drawn to a striking woman whose presence evokes a lost love, a figure who bears an uncanny resemblance to a haunting memory from his past. Unaware that she carries a connection to one of the victims his nocturnal self has pursued, he attempts to forge a tender relationship, hoping art might redeem the hunger that pulses beneath his skin.
Even as he courts this enigmatic stranger, an unsettling echo reverberates through the underworld of his studio—a black pit of horror where the screams of the unseen seem to linger like a lingering perfume. The atmosphere crackles with the sensual tension of midnight brushes against canvas, the muted thrum of jazz, and the ever‑present, though unspoken, dread that something lurks just beyond the edge of the visible world.
Antonio’s dual existence—artist by day, creature of the night—creates a fragile balance between beauty and terror. The film swirls between the seductive glow of studio lights and the oppressive shadows of an unseen abyss, inviting the audience to wonder whether salvation can be found in pigment and romance, or if the darkness will inevitably consume the light he so desperately seeks.
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