Inquisition

Director - Paul Naschy (The Beast's Carnival, Panic Beats)
Starring - Paul Naschy, Daniela Giordano (Evil Eye, Bloody Friday), and Monica Randall (Cross the Devil, Seven Into Hell)
Release Date - 1978
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "Horror beyond imagining"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I'm still rather ignorant when it comes to foreign horror films.  I know my way around Lucio Fulci and Dario Argento's work but for the most part I'm still pretty new to it all.  The video store I grew up visiting didn't really have a large selection of international horror with the exception of Zombi and a few others.  One name that I was familiar with even though I was ignorant to international horror films was Paul Naschy.  When I was in high school a friend bought the Horror Rises from the Tomb box set with had a film of the same name starring Paul Naschy.  I can't remember many of the films from that set but I do remember loving this one.  Not long ago Mondo Macabro released the 1978 period piece Inquisition on blu.  I feel witches are very underutilized in horror and was very curious to see how this one played out so I reached to Mondo for a review copy.  Thank you Mondo Macabro for sending this one my way!

     The film follows Witchfinder Bernard de Fossey (Naschy) who travels to a small village where he suspects some of the women are in league with Satan.  What he finds is a village populated by beautiful women who enjoy the attention of the opposite sex.  When he comes across a woman of ill repute he has them tortured, interrogated, and then dealt with for being a witch until he comes a woman with whom he falls in love.  However, she is not the God fearing beauty he had hoped but actually the very reason he is in the village to begin with.

     Inquisition was a solid flick from director and star Paul Naschy.  It was sexy, erotic, and full of Satanic imagery that I love.  The movie was definitely influenced by the Satanic and cult films of the 60s like The Devil Rides Out and The Devil's Rain from 1975.    I thoroughly enjoy those films and this one does a great job at creating that atmosphere.  The acting in this one is solid.  Paul Naschy once again leads the charge taking on multiple roles.  He is great as the witchfinder.  He is cold and emotionless when he has too and a puppy dog when he is in love.  He also doubles as Satan.  In these scenes he is creepy as fuck and does a great job.  The supporting cast is great but the star of the show is Paul Naschy.  The story for this one works very well as a period piece and looks very good with the set designs and wardrobe.  The film is a bit of a slow burner but the characters are colorful enough to hold your attention.  The horror aspect does take the backseat for most of the film but rears its ugly head from time to time to remind the viewer what kind of movie they are watching.  Finally, the film isn't really a bloody one.  We have some blood, a great looking Satan creature and small practical effects but the story is at the forefront of this horror film instead of the gore.  The effects we get do look decent but they are nothing that spectacular.  Overall, Inquisition is another Naschy classic.  Fans of Naschy and classic horror should really look into this one because you are missing out.  Check it out!