PUTRID..... -5 STARZ MY HUSBAND BOUGHT THIS CUZ THE REVIEWS WERE SO GOOD AND HE'S A SUCKER FOR HORROR FILMS. WELL, I WATCHED THE FIRST ONE WHICH WAS PAINFUL TO HAVE TO SIT THROUGH. SO, BY 10 MINUTES INTO THE SECOND MOVIE I JUMPED ON THE COMPUTER TO PLAY A GAME. THEY BOTH SOUND LIKE THEY HAVE THE SAME CRAPPY SOUNDTRACK. THESE MOVIES ARE SO BEYOND TERRIBLE I'M EMBARRASSED TO TELL ANYONE WE BOUGHT THIS PIECE OF RUBBISH. LUCKILY HE TRADED IT FOR ANOTHER MOVIE THE VERY NEXT DAY. WHAT A WASTE OF CASH THESE MOVIES ARE SO BAD AND DATED THAT I DON'T THINK THEY ARE EVEN GOOD E-NUFF TO BE ON CABLE TV AT 4AM ON A WEDNESDAY NITE AND EVEN MY HUSBAND AGREES. HE SAID, HE'D RATHER DO LAWNCARE OR GO ON A 10 DAY CRUISE WITH MY MOTHER THAN TO HAVE TO SIT THROUGH, OR WATCH EITHER OF THESE FILMS AGAIN..... IT JUST GOES TO SHOW YA SOMETIMES PEOPLES REVIEWS AND OR OPINIONS ON HERE ARE JUST WRONG! WE LOVE OLD HORROR MOVIES KARLOFF, LUGOSI, LON CHANEY ETC. THESE MOVIES AREN'T EVEN IN THE SAME BALLPARK. THEY ARE BOTH OUT AT THE BACK OF THE PARKING LOT IN THE DUMPSTER, WHERE THESE 2 FILMS BELONG. AS AN ADDED BONUS CUZ THEY'RE IMPORTED YOU DO GET TO SEE A COUPLE TITTIES AND SOME MILD LEZBO ACTION WHICH FOR AN 8 YEAR OLD BOY MIGHT BE ENTERTAINING. BUT, ANYONE ELSE WITH HALF A BRAIN OR ANY RESPECT FOR THEIR TIME OR MONEY WILL FEEL SHAFTED AND I DON'T MEAN IN A GOOD WAY. IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE ME SEND YER' $$$ IN TODAY AND SO, YA DON'T FORGET, DO IT BEFORE MIDNIGHT TO-NITE CUZ OPERATORS ARE STANDING BY... -5 STARS
REALLY CHEEZEBALL AND PISS POOR..
Messiah of Evil is screaming for a proper DVD release!!! Well at least Diamond DVD has good taste - both of these are good examples of atmospheric 1970s horror. Messiah of Evil is a great, arty, American independent horror with a fun b-movie cast, including one of the last perormances from Elisha Cook, Jr., everyone's favorite "what was she thinking when she chose that stage name?" Joy Bang, the talented Marianna Hill (who went on to bigger things), and the drop dead beautiful Anitra Ford. Meanwhile, The Devil's Nightmare is a perfect example of over the top Euro horror with Euro scream queen Erika Blanc playing a succubus knocking off travelers in a sinister castle in ways that echo the seven deadly sins. Devil's Nightmare has received a proper remastered DVD release via Redemption Films, but Messiah is so good it deserves more than what's available. Diamond's presentation is the best of what's out there, but that isn't saying much - absolutely no attempt has been made to remaster the film or present any decent extras (chapters and a brief text note don't count). This film is a lost horror classic and deserves much much better. How about a Blue Underground, Anchor Bay, Code Red, or other quality DVD label reissue, fully remastered, and with the participation (audio commentary and/or interviews) of the writer/producer/director duo and the actors? This film has an interesting history too and deserves some form of documentary feature if that's feasible. Content yourself with this DVD in the meantime and check out the interview and review in Stephen Thrower's great book Nighmare U.S.A. to get some of back story in lieu of special DVD features.
European Gothic Masterpiece and an Atmospheric American Zombie Flick, both from the early 70s THE DEVIL'S NIGHTMARE (1971; 93 minutes; Belgium/Italy)
THE PLOT: Seven people are forced to spend the night in some eerie castle. The devil sends a succubus to kill each one that indulges in one or more of the seven deadly sins (lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath [unrighteous anger/hatred/grumbling], envy/jealousy and pride).
COMMENTARY: WOW, this is a real hidden gem of gothic horror. It has a great cast & story and was filmed in a real castle. The people and the sins they indulge in are as follows:
(1.) Bus driver: gluttony.
(2.) Angry wife: greed, jealousy (although her husband gives her good reason to be jealous), envy (of the beauty of the other women) and anger (I don't think she smiles once, except when she's literally swimming in gold).
(3.) Husband: lust (adultery).
(4.) Brunette: lust (lesbianism & adultery).
(5.) Blond: sloth, lust (lesbianism).
(6.) Old man: wrath (excessive grumbling, mean-spiritedness & negativity).
(7.) Priest-in-training: Although he flirts with pride (listen to him during the chess match) and lust (for the redhead) he evidently never commits a mortal sin (or, if he does, he humbly & quickly repents rather than revel in it like the others).
[MINOR SPOILER ALERT] Note that the minister willingly sacrifices himself to perdition to prevent the other six from being damned. This is an example of agape love and displays a true Christ-like heart. Paul the apostle had the same spirit as evidenced in Romans 9:3. [END SPOILER].
HIGHLIGHTS: The film features three incredibly gorgeous women -- a blond, brunette and redhead, no less. The succubus is the redhead, played by Erika Blanc. All three are voluptuous; each possessing a very distinctive beauty. (Their NATURAL curvy-ness is refreshing in comparison to too many modern American actresses, whom often appear nigh anorexic and artificial, if you know what I mean). NOTE TO MEN: It goes without saying that, if you have a lust problem, you might want to stay away from this one, especially in light of a fairly overt lesbian scene (which they end up dying for, so no one can argue that the film advocates the practice, no more than it advocates any other sin depicted, like gluttony, adultery, greed and grumbling).
Another highlight is Erika Blanc's subtle make-up as the succubus combined with her amazing ability to contort her face from stunningly sharp to utterly hideous. Seriously, I NEVER get frightened by horror films, but when Erika morphs into the succcubus and hideously contorts her face, it's absolutely CHILLING.
TECHNICAL INFO: Thankfully, this rendition of the picture omits the tasteless and unnecessary porno-horror "intro" that was tacked on to some versions of the film. This "intro" is not a part of the original picture and simply has no business being there; in fact, it horribly mars it. No doubt it was tacked on by some latter-day DVD producer in order to excite pre-pubescent boys ("Oooh, that's coooooool!!"). The video quality is fine but, unfortunately (as other reviewers have noted) the sound isn't very good. If quality sound is important to you, you might want to look for a different version.
FYI: The original title translated to English is "The Long Night of the Devil" or "The Devil's Longest Night." I feel the title "The Devil's Nightmare" is weak and much prefer another alternative title: "The Devil Walks at Midnight."
BOTTOM LINE: Since this is a European film from the early 70s it's understandably dated, dubbed and slow-paced. The viewer must keep this in mind to appreciate it. Many themes are touched upon: Does God exist? What about the devil and his demonic servants? Can he be trusted to make a deal with? (Yeah, right). Is there such a thing as sin? And, if so, what are its consequences? Another fascinating theme touched upon is human nature and the continual conflict between spiritual and carnal qualities that we can all relate to. The film also powerfully addresses the incredible self-sacrificial nature of agape love -- love in its highest and purest form.
Make no mistake, this is a powerful piece of gothic-horror cinema, perhaps even a masterpiece.
THE PLOT: A woman (Marianna Hill) goes to the California coastal town of Point Dune to visit her artist father. She can't find him, but runs into a guy (Michael Greer) and his two female companions (Anitra Ford & Joy Bang). They all soon discover that there are mysterious and peculiar things going on in town. The people are somnambulistic and mysteriously stand at the shore every twilight looking out to sea. Things eventually take a deadly turn.
COMMENTARY: The film is highly atmospheric, effectively combining elements of "Carnival of Souls" (1962) and "Night of the Living Dead" (1968). Personally, I feel it's better than "Carnival" but not quite as great as "Night," which is a classic horror masterpiece, of course.
HIGHLIGHTS: As noted above, Marianna Hill is the doe-eyed protagonist. You may not remember her, but she's one of the most beautiful women to ever appear on the Original Series of Star Trek, specifically the episode "Dagger of the the Mind" as Dr. Helen Noel. The film is a must for fans of Ms. Hill (like me) since she is prominently featured.
TECHNICAL INFO: Both the sound and video are very good for such an old & obscure picture. This is no doubt the best version of the film out there and, as far as I know, the ONLY version available on DVD, unlike "The Devil's Nightmare."
FYI: The original title is "Dead People," which is more fitting than "Messiah of Evil," but way too generic. The title "Messiah of Evil" gives the impression that the story prominently features a weirdo dark Christ-figure, but this is hardly the case. The dark messiah is ambiguous and barely featured. A more fitting title of the film would be "Village of the Dead" or something along those lines.
BOTTOM LINE: Many hail this as a moody horror masterpiece from the early 70s and I can see why. This is mandatory viewing for mystery/horror aficionados and admirers of the lovely Marianna Hill.
PERSONAL RATING: 4/5 Stars.
Terrific double bill DVD I got this DVD for Messiah of Evil, which I've seen before, but was pleasantly surprised to find myself enjoying The Devil's Nightmare almost as much. The Devil's Nightmare is an Italian origin Succubus tale, where a group of travelers (including two gorgeous Euro-babes) wind up in a creepy mansion (with the ugliest wallpaper ever) and are picked off by big-haired, big-cheekboned and bare-bellied Erika Blanc. How come my vacations are never like this? Highlights include lesbian lovemaking, a sleeping cat that's supposed to be impaled, Ms. Blanc's gonzo performance, and the greatest ending ever.
I love Messiah of Evil. It's really unique in it's weirdness. The story involves a woman played by beautiful, doe-eyed Marianna Hill (The Baby) searching for her missing artist father in a creepy California beach town called Point Dune. There she learns of a legend of The Blood Moon, where the moon turns red and drives the local yokels to crazed cannibalism. Played totally straight and absolutely devoid of humor, Messiah has a dreamlike feel similar to Carnival of Souls (and maybe Let's Scare Jessica to Death), but still different. It's one of the few horror movies that has given me nightmares. As mentioned in other reviews, the supermarket and movie theater sequences are just awesome, and former Price is Right model Anitra Ford is particularly enjoyable for her jaded non-reactions in her hitchhiking scene.
Nightmare is slightly letterboxed and looks good, but, as mentioned in another review, the sound sucks. I had to crank my TV to hear it, and then it gets distorted. Messiah is full-frame, OK/pretty good image quality (with a little better sound than Nightmare). Messiah appears to be mastered from a video source. There are some brief bios in the main menu as well. Great fun for a good price- check it out!
Impressed [Note: I have only seen "Messiah of Evil"].
I approached "Messiah of Evil" without expecting much, but the movie delivered a great deal more than expected. Considering the relatively unknown status of this film, it has many standout psychological horror scenes. The scene in the supermarket is genuinely disturbing. And the scene in the movie theater terrified me for reasons I don't fully understand (and few movies frighten me). And who can deny the wonder of the off-the-wall "beach-mouse" scene?
This is an unconventional zombie movie with genuine artistic value (as far-fetched as it sounds).
Anything Goes Trivia
Megaton Man
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