Il medium

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Il medium (The Medium) is a 1980 Italian supernatural drama directed by Silvio Amadio. The film runs 89 minutes and stars Guido Mannari, Sherry Buchannan, and Martine Brochard.

Background
Amadio was interested in the occult and learned about it from his friend Demofilo Fidani, a filmmaker known for low‑budget Westerns who had also written esoteric novels. The two discussed their interest since the 1970s. The screenplay was written by Claudio Fragasso together with Tonino Cucca and Silvio Amadio, based on a story by Amadio. Fragasso later said he was approached by the director and a psychic medium who told them the dead wanted the story written. This was Fragasso’s first script, even before Meet Him and Die. A script with the same title exists in Rome’s SIAE offices dating from 17 October 1975.

Production
Filming began on 7 May 1979. The cast included Guido Mannari, Sherry Buchannan, and Martine Brochard, who recalled the process as feeling very homemade and that she had a distant relationship with Amadio.

What it’s like
Although often labeled a horror film, Il medium is better described as a supernatural drama with ghosts and a haunted house. Some “horror” moments are few: a dog attack, a painting that catches fire and laughs, and voices recorded on an audio tape.

Release and reception
Il medium was released regionally in Italy on 10 March 1980. It grossed about 15 million Italian lire domestically.