Devils Of Darkness / Witchcraft (1964)

Disc 1:Devils of Darkness (1965) Disc 2:Witchcraft (B&W) (1964)

Horror Movies

OK, let's be honest. You don't expect low-budget horror movies to be all that good, and they're not. We've all seen the Hammer studios films from the 50's and 60's. No surprises here. Still, there are times when it's fun to just curl up in front of the television with some microwave popcorn and enjoy a late night horror show. These are fairly good examples of the genre. Want a really scary movie? Watch "The Changeling" with George C. Scott. I felt I got my money's worth on these though. November 3, 2008

all dressed up, but dead, or close enough

devils of darkness: impeccably dressed french fop undead. EVERYONE is dressed to kill ... it's fashion to undie for. best bright-red-lipstick film ever! ps: forces of evil no match for a guy who's good with his fists. September 8, 2008

Arresting visuals make for zesty vampire offering.

Much better than often reported, this beautifully photographed British horror is a well upholstered turn down the familiar vampire path, enlivened by some delicious tongue in cheek. Directed by cult director Lance Comfort, (see Brian MacFarlane's monograph on his career) the film opens with a dazzling dance sequence set amidst a mid forest gypsy encampment, interrupted by the first burst of horror--accompanied by a swooping bat and a gust of wind.

These forest sequences are visually arresting, and include an eerie torch light parade photographed in reflection from a lake's surface.

As for the story, it concerns a modern day male vampire, (equipped with Louis Jourdan accent and beautifully cut suits) who turns out to be reincarnated from the ancient past.

Despite some dull detective sequences, (of the type that slow down Bava's "Blood and Black Lace") the picture manages an effective array of diverse settings including forest sequences, a country manor house, a catacomb lair, a jammed to the rafters antique shoppe, an artists' atelier, the reading room of the British Museum and a groovy bachelorette pad that is host to one of the screen's all time campiest cocktail parties.

Indeed, this sequence, replete with the Watusi, and Frug, and featuring an array of cigarette puffing (with holders!) extras that seem to have been recruited between takes from the sets of "Darling" and "A Taste of Honey", (one keeps looking for Julie Christie to appear) is guaranteed to elicit howls. And if that doesn't catch you, please note that Diana Decker's wardrobe had the female audience cooing at a recent screening.

Moreover, the climax, featuring a cave in which destroys the vampire clan, is well staged and shot.

Picture seems influenced by Don Sharp's superb "Kiss of the Vampire," and while it doesn't hold a candle to that stellar feather in Hammer's cap, it does emerge as an interesting and zesty contemporary take on the same theme.

August 11, 2008

All Part Of The Vast Satanic Conspiracy...

This is one of my favorite Midnite Movie double features so far! DEVILS OF DARKNESS has Hubert Noel as the evil, undead Sinistré; the leader of a satanic cult of ne'er-do-wells. Sinistré has returned from his long dirt-nap in order to take a bride from among the living. DOD is packed full of interesting / strange characters and plenty of fun hocus pocus. WITCHCRAFT has Lon Chaney jr. as Morgan Whitlock, head of a family w/ long ties to witchcraft and devil-worship. He's upset that the Lanier family, the descendents of the very people who (centuries earlier) killed many Whitlocks as witches, is now destroying their ancestral graveyard! This one really gets going when Vanessa Whitlock (Yvette Rees) rises from her cold earth in order to exact vengeance. She is the perfect ghoul (in a Barbara Steele/Vampira way). Both of these movies are re-watchable and make for a great Saturday afternoon creepfest... December 3, 2007

two for one!

I adore these multi-discs.It's a grand opportunity to catch up on old 'friends' without breaking the bank.Witchcraft is a particular favourite of ours - nicely constructed and with a suitably fiery ending.
Chaney Jnr was wonderful and the ensemble did him proud.
Devils of darkness was a Sunday-for-one-day-only at the movies, with an occasional airing on TV.Nice to own it now - and what a beautiful print. November 5, 2007

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