The Devil's Rain

Director - Robert Fuest (The Abominable Dr. Phibes, Dr. Phibes Rises Again)
Starring - William Shatner (The Twilight Zone, Star Trek), Ernest Borgnine (Deadly Blessings, Small Soldiers), and Eddie Albert (Extreme Ghostbusters, Stitches)
Release Date - 1975
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "Heaven help us all when the Devil's Rain"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     The 70s and 80s was an interesting time.  The drive-in was still a popular spot to check out b-movie goodness and gas was reasonable.  It was around this time that America went through a Satanic cult scare where fans of horror and metal were labeled killers and pedophiles but suburban moms who had nothing more on their hands but stir up controversy when the pool boy wouldn't bang them while their husbands are at work.   The late 70s saw the rise in several horror and thrillers that centered around Satanic worship and cults.  One of those films is The Devil's Rain which I first saw in college.  A friend found the link to the film on YouTube and thought I would like it.  The film is bad by most standards but I fucking loved it.  Recently, the film was released on blu by the fine folks at Severin.  They were kind enough to send a copy my way.

     The film follows a young man and his wife who venture to an abandoned town in the desert looking for his brother.  His brother went looking for his father and is suspected to have been abducted by Jonathan Corbis. Corbis is the leader of a Satanic cult that is searching for an ancient book that contains the names of the souls he has converted to Satanism.  He must now fight a legion of eyeless followers to get his girlfriend and save the souls of his family before his soul is trapped as well.

     I've heard people in horror groups talk about how bad this film was.  I can't argue with them but I can admit that I fucking love it.  The film has some questionable acting, awkward scenes and plot holes.  The acting in this one is all over the place.  Shatner starts the film out and his dialogue is questionable.  When people mock Shatner they often do so with a monotone voice that often pauses after key syllables for dramatic effect.  I had never seen him talk in such a manner but he damn sure does in this film.  It was downright laughable.  The entire cast is awkward to watch.  The only exception is Ernest Borgnine.  His performance is magnificent.  The story for this one is what has me sold on this magnificent film.  A Satanic cult that has been around for three hundred years attempting to raise Satan is fucking awesome.  I don't care how the film is executed because the story is awesome.  There is issues with the way it was told.  The film suffers greatly from plot holes and inconsistencies.  Finally, the film isn't bloody and gory but it is slimy.  The film has several awesome scenes of people melting.  The effects look great for these and I love how Borgnine looked after he turned into the Devil.  Overall, The Devil's Rain is far from perfect but I fucking love it.  The faults can easily be overlooked for the fun story.  Check it out.