Au Service du Diable

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Summary: euro-trash horror lives up to minor cult classic reputation
Review: This is one of those rare European horror flicks from the 70's that has developed something of a following based on viewings of poor quality bootleg videos. Now available in an uncut, widescreen transfer, the Devil's Nightmare stands as a minor classic of 70's gothic. It's no Suspiria or Lisa and the Devil, but what is? Standard plot of tourists stranded in an eerie castle being done in, gruesomely, one by one is enlivened by interesting touches throughout. Each victim is made to symbolize one of the 7 deadly sins. There's a scarred, sinister butler who loves to tell stories about the castle's various victims, a baron who has a (atmospherically photographed) laboratory in the cellar, a nazi flashback, and last, but not least, Erika Blanc as a sexy succubus who fulfills the family curse. The devil pops up, played by Fellini fave Daniel Emilfork. Not as gory as one might expect, with photography that alternates between atmospheric and flat, occasionally intrusive music, and bland acting from all but Blanc and Emilfork. Nicely representative of a type of filmmaking no longer being done and a great way to pass a dark stormy evening...

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Summary: Save Yourself Some Money
Review: This same print including the hokey introduction by Eileen Daly can be found on Horror Classics Vol. 6 and several BCI Eclipse multipacks including Blood Bath. I have the Redemption DVD and have found the only difference to be the price and a better menu on the Redemption DVD. If you collect pal DVDs, this same print is available on a 'The Dark Side Magazine' DVD.-Bob