The Devil's Nightmare

 



Director - Jean Brismee (Forges, Jean Rouch)
Starring - Erika Blanc (Kill Baby...Kill!, A Man for Emmanuelle), Jean Servais (Donkey Skin, Black Jesus), and Daniel Emilfork (Babel, Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill!)
Release Date - 1971
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "Nothing in your wildest imagination can prepare you for what happens"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

 

 

     My Mondo Macabro marathon is coming to an end.  The movies I watched were very entertaining, sleazy, and fun but the last blu I tossed in just didn't sit well with me.  Up until this point I have watched 6 films on 5 blus.  The first three were fantastic.  I can see myself revisits a few of them.  Sadly, the last three were not up to my speed so to speak.  They missed their mark with me and I just did not have fun with them.  The last film in my Mondo Macabro is The Devil's Nightmare.  This 1971 Belgium production is another new one on me.  I hoped it was better than the previous two Greek exploitation flicks and I was lucky because this one was fun.  Once again I want to thank Mondo Macabro for sending this one my way.

     The film begins with a German general who discovers that his wife has given birth to a girl.  His family is cursed and the first daughter is to become an evil succubus so the general kills his daughters.  We move forward sometime and that general is living in a secluded castle with his servants when a bus full of tourists arrive seeking shelter.  He lets them in and they make themselves at home.  When some of them are found dead the rumors of the general and his family curse surfaces and the succubus becomes the talk of the tourists.  Many dismiss it as nonsense but are soon face to face with something far more sinister than they could have imagined.

     I love a good gothic horror film from the 70s.  Hammer killed during this time but there was still so many amazing gothic horror films from all around the world.  The Devil's Nightmare is a great period piece with some great atmosphere and characters.  I'm a little disappointed that I'm just now getting to check this one out.  The acting in this one is great.  I absolutely loved the characters.  Some were extremely clichéd but the film balances those out with some unforgettable characters.  The cast does a phenomenal job at bringing these characters to life.  I'm honestly impressed by the cast and what they were able to accomplish.  The story for this one works for the film but it does have several extremely predictable scenes that you will see coming from a mile away.  I loved the dark atmosphere the film is able to capture along with the gothic scenery.  It works for the film and really makes the story that much more fun.  It does move on the slower side but the viewer will enjoy the character's interaction especially those involving the priest.  Finally, if you want blood and gore you will be disappointed.  We do get a few death scenes but they use camera tricks with minimal practical effects.  Overall, The Devil's Nightmare is a fantastic late night horror watch.  The characters are very entertaining and the story does have it's moments.  Don't let the predictable story ruin a fun late night movie watch.  Check it out now on blu from Mondo Macabro.