Reviews (7)

Fire bad, and so is this movie
Mistress Frankenstein was a major disappointment. It's all well and good to intentionally make a spoof film as bad as possible, but this movie is just absurdly, ridiculously bad. Darian Caine plays Baroness Helena Frankenstein, a cold-hearted, cold-blooded, sexually repressed prude. Her husband Dr. Frankenstein still loves her despite her lack of warmth (and other things), and he naturally tries to bring her back to life when she is accidentally killed. Unfortunately, her brain was damaged in the accident. The doctor orders his servant Igor to fix it, but Igor ends up losing it and secretly replacing it with a brain he bought at the body parts store dirt cheap. When Mistress Frankenstein reawakens, she is a sex-crazed lesbian and starts seducing everyone woman she meets.

This movie is just really, really bad. The acting is over the top and back again, there's some kind of laugh track inserted for the servant Igor (seemingly a silly, twisted version of Paul Lynde), all of the incredibly annoying townspeople are named Karl, the horse in the movie is two guys in a costume, the wretched gorilla Kimbo puts in a cameo, Darian is forced to walk and talk like the original Frankenstein's monster, and-with the exception of Miss Caine and Heidi Christine-the featured actresses are hardly worth looking at. I actually considered fast forwarding through some of the scenes. Unfortunately, I could go on and on listing the dumb things that make this movie almost painful to suffer through. Unless you're a huge Darian Caine fan, there's really no reason in the world for you to watch this movie.

SENSELESS but the sex is great.
I'm not even goin' to lie to you. MISTRESS FRANKENSTEIN is the most senseless film I've have ever seen! ALthough, I would say, that it is far better than a MAX after dark special, the MAX after dark films at least have a storyline and a plot. The lesbianic scenes are fantastic. The first, second, and fourth are my favorites. But that's just me. If you decide to buy this film, buy it for the sex not for to sit through and watch because that would be torture!

Complete waste of money
The girls in this movie (with the possible exception of the star) are not attractive in the least, and that's putting it nicely. I couldn't even stomach the sex scenes. To think that for the price of this DVD I could have paid for a month of Cinemax, or ordered 3 or 4 pay-per-view movies. The average pay-per-view soft-core is far better quality. I thought about giving it two stars because some parts were funny, but they weren't that funny. Save your money and get one of the Eros series from Playboy, such as Web of Seduction.

MISTRESS FRANKENSTEIN
MISTRESS FRANKENSTEIN works as both an erotic adult film and as a parody of the classic horror movie "Frankenstein." The wife of Dr. Frankenstein is killed in a "horse riding accident," and so he decides to bring her back to life by using another woman's brain to replace that of his deceased wife's...but the new brain once belonged to a lesbain nymphomaniac and now it has transformed Dr. Frankenstein's wife into a lusty, woman loving sex machine. Darian Cane is as hot and sexy as ever in the role of Dr. Frankenstein's wife and the girl-on-girl scenes in this film are extremely steamy. This is a future low-budget adult film classic in the making.

It's "Frankenhooker" For The New Millennium!
I showed this movie at a party and everybody loved it! Thanks to the twisted sense of humor of John Bacchus and the incredible performace of actress Darian Caine, this film goes way beyond your average "T&A" fare. It's funny, sexy, and full of all the stuff you want to see. "Frankenhooker" is one of my all-time favorite films, and this really reminded me of it. Side 2 of the DVD contains a lot of outtakes and "making of" footage, making it well worth the low asking price. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

More of an Art Film than Splatter
Schramm is Jörg Buttgereit's insight into the mind of a serial killer. After the Nekromantik movies, one might expect another splatter movie, filled with gore(be it quality gore or cheesy effects). However, in Schramm you get more of an art film than the splatter that he has done before. Don't get me wrong, there are still a few gore scenes in the movie, but it is inserted into an art film. There are also a few scenes put in to shock, but once again...those are in the context of an art film.

The movie can be enjoyed by anyone willing to pay attention to a movie, and try to figure out what some of the images mean. You also need to be willing to tolerate the shocking and gory parts, although you could look away during those scenes if you had to, and it probably wouldn't take away from the overall movie.

It can be confusing at times, and downright nonsense at others...but, if you look at some of the early short films that the director has done before...he has come a long way.

Compulsive and Repulsive!
Buttgereit, infamous for 'Nekromantik', delivers us a poetic masterpiece and a hideous journey into the mind of Lothar Schramm, the Lipstick killer. It is a brutal and intriguing display and details many fascinating characters in abstract flashback. This is what real extreme cinema is all about.

As usual, Buttgereit delivers images full of visceral insanity, so gory and vicious that unless you're familiar with either his works or those of his peers, this little piece might be a bit much. Barrel Entertainment have done an incredible job, the print is almost perfect and the extras tantilising (commentaries, trailers and a special 'making of'). Sad to see that this one is becoming increasingly difficult to get hold of - buy this one now, while you still can.

The ghastly pleasures of DVD
It's truly amazing how the times have changed. Over 10 years ago I bought my first two bootleg films, Cannibal Holocaust and Nekromantik. They were poor looking copies at best. Cannibal Holocaust was censored and the subtitles on Nekromantik were to blurry to read. But I was thankful. I swear I was. There was no other way to see such films. Today, we have DVD. Ah, the pleasures of DVD. Everything is being released on DVD. How many of them I can buy for the price of one shoddy looking laserdisc. Young horror fans have it good today, I tells ya. I believe the fine folks at Barrel Entertainment must have come from a similar film-related background. They did a superb almost beyond the call of duty tranfer on their DVD release of Nekromantik and they have done the same with Schramm. Years ago, Film Threat released this and other Buttgereit films on video. The videos looked awful, Schramm being the worst. I am delighted to report that this DVD makes up where Film Threat failed. With the commentaries, interviews, trailers, and short films you the lucky viewer are looking at hours worth of footage for one amazing price. Incidentally those boots cost a lot. I was shocked that the film could look as good as it does. Schramm is a seriously depressing, morbid, and arty portraiture of a serial killer. Buttgereit points out in his commentary that he had never seen a film about serial killers. Just as soon as I thought of Silence of the Lambs he brings up the fact that though Silence... is very good it is more like a commercial for the FBI than a depiction of what life is like for a serial killer. For me, this movie nails the topic on the head (no pun intended). Schramm is not a Hollywood version of madness. The journey into this killers distorted mind is so visual and realistic that I am reminded of Henry (Ray Liotta) introducing the other mobsters in Scorsese's Goodfellas. The point of view camera glides through the bar as Henry introduces everyone. The camera moves so naturally and perfect that you feel like you are there. Buttgereit does the same througout Schramm's 65 minute running time. Not an easy task. I raise my glass to this vile film and to Buttgereit and Barrel Entertaiment.

Into the mind of a serial killer...
What a brutal, gory movie - for intense gore fans ONLY. Do not get this DVD if you're the LEAST bit squeamish. Brought to you by Joerg Buttgereit, creator of "Nekromantik", this is a raw, bloody look at a pretty twisted guy named Lothar Schramm. Though the movie itself is relatively short (only a little over an hour), this DVD is packed with goodness - extras aplenty here, folks. I'm rather pleasantly surprised it's even here, as Nekromantik wasn't available here last I checked. In conclusion, if you think you can handle the rather disturbing subject matter of the film, by all means, grab this baby while you can... it'll be worth your money. ... Read more

Description

Eight beautiful, sexy sorority girls attempt to brave the night in an abandoned haunted whorehouse. Unbeknown to them, their boyfriends have rigged the house to scare the ladies witless. However, the old house seems to have a mind of its own. Our heroines face a triple-threat; the increasingly more dangerous practical jokes, a psychotic murderer and the brothel itself! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A bad idea from the very start
Unlike the first two Erotic Witch Project movies, Witchbabe is far from enjoyable. Going back in time to see how Helena Pottsworth was ostracized by the community and branded the Erotic Witch struck me as a bad idea, and this movie proved to me that my doubts were justified. We begin in the present day as two frolicking youngsters bump up against a human skeleton in the woods. Authorities discover alongside the skeleton a journal (remarkably well preserved to have been lying in the woods for so many decades) apparently having belonged to the Erotic Witch herself. At this point we are taken back to the past to see how Helena Pottsworth saves the mayor's wife (from that cursed gorilla the writers insist on including in every EWP movie) and then begins instructing the women of the community in the ways of nature-this largely consists of the women shedding their clothes and conducting hands-on (as well as lips-on) research into the ways of the female body.

I have to say that the acting in this movie is horrible, especially that of the Erotic Witch herself. Then you have the prude of a mayor with his horribly, patently fake squeaky voice; his over-the-top performance takes this movie well beyond the limits of cinematic self-deprecating humor into the realms of the pitifully absurd. You would think things might improve when the characters begin concentrating on the whole erotic aspect of the story, but the movie is sadly lacking in this department, as well. Drowned under bad music, the erotic scenes are just uninspired and boring. Don't count on the reliable Darian Caine to overcome the blatantly obvious deficiencies of this movie, either, as her screen time is severely limited in this one. The Erotic Witch Project was a fun, enjoyable spoof of The Blair Witch Project, EWP 2 was a perfectly acceptable sequel, but Witchbabe: EWP 3 really has nothing to offer fans of the series.

This is really an awesome film
First off, yes there are a few problems with this DVD. It wouldn't play in my XBOX, but did just fine in my friend's RCA player. It is VERY well worth it to get just the same though. Anytime you can see Laurie on-screen do it. She is such an awesome beauty. This is a prequel to The Erotic Witch Project. It takes place right when the Erotic Witch comes to Baccusville in the early 1800's. She quickly enslaves the Mayor's ignored wife with her witchcraft--not to mention her beauty. The wife (played by Laurie) then sets out to enslave the rest of the women in the community for the witch. I don't know of anybody else that has made two smash debuts like Paige Richards (see also My Vampire Lover). There are so many reasons to see it. So don't let a technical difficulty that may or may not affect you stop you from getting this Top 5 SC movie.

DeWitched!
Stick with the original EWP, it's a great parody with some lovely ladies (especially Katie Keane a.k.a. Laurie Wallace) She's the best.....which is more than I can say for this DVD. If you could rent it somewhere go for that or find a dummy who bought it and borrow theirs, it's worth watching once...but if you own a Pioneer DVD player it may not work! It would not play on mine and all DVDs play on mine. There's a glitch with this Witch! ... Read more

Description

Famed German director F.W. Murnau’s creepy adaptation of Nosferatu, stills holds up today as one of the greatest horror films of all-time. With an absolutely ghoulish performance as Count Orlok (Max Schreck) and the superb visual style and special effects of the film’s German Expressionist filmmaker, Nosferatu has lodged itself in the cultural subconscious where it has left impressions impossible to erase. Collectible poster included ... Read more

Reviews (137)

Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens
If Todd Browning's "Dracula" is about the sound of Bela Lugosi's accented voice saying "Good Evening," then F. W. Murnau's "Nosferatu" is about the sights of Max Schreck's grostesque figure rising up out of his coffin. The fact that this is a silent film actually adds to the atmospheric tension; think of the moment when the death ship slips into the port of Bremen, carrying its cargo of death. The story is clearly Bram Stoker's "Dracula" (although the names have been changed to pretend otherwise and avoid paying the author's estate), and this 1922 film is actually more faithful than most versions of the novel, which almost invariably avoid the actual conclusion to the tale. Murnau's version ends with vampire's downfall being caused by a sacrifice based on the love of Ellen Hutter (Greta Schroder, the "Mina" character) for Thomas (Gustav von Wangenehim as the "Jonathan Harker" character). Even though Schreck's "Count Orlok" is clearly an example of German Expressionism with his gaunt countenance and immensely long talons he stalks his prey through a decidedly realistic 19th-century world, which also somehow magically adds to the film's effectiveness. Similarly, the "special effects" are nothing more than such rudimentary tricks as stop motion and double exposure, but none the less potent for their simplicity. Perhaps the greatest testament to this film is that directors who have filmed the Dracula story since "Nosferatu" have included homages to Murnau's masterpiece, from Browning (the actor playing the count is also the coachman) to Coppola (the count's terrifying shadow cast large on the wall). When released in 1922 this film was also known as "Nosferatu the Vampire," "Nosferatu, a Symphony of Horror," "Nosferatu, a Symphony of Terror," and even "Terror of Dracula." The 1998 reissue title in the United States was "Nosferatu: The First Vampire."

The Best Dracula Movie Ever
This movie is a beatifully shot and brilliantly told version of Bram Stoker's novel. Unfortunately for its makers, it was also an unofficial one, and they were sued by Stoker's widow. Maybe if she knew what some of the later Dracula movies would be like, she wouldn't have done that. I prefer "Nosferatu" to the Bela Lugosi version (which was not bad, but a bit cheesy even for an old movie), the Christopher Lee version "Horror of Dracula" (which was quite good), and the Gary Oldman version (which was weak in my opinion). "Nosferatu" is a silent film, so don't see it unless you're in the mood to read! I saw it on T.V. on Halloween, when I was recovering from surgery, and I was very impressed with the film. It's a truly different cinematic experience. The nature shots and castle shots are beatiful but eerie, and the title villian is chilling rather than corny. He's very menacing, with none of the romantic appeal often associated with Dracula but all of the sinister presence. Seeing the scene on the ship, it seems as though "Nosferatu" paved the way for the soulless killer archetype later represtented in "Halloween" (among other films). And boy, is he ugly! The scene where he looks at the guy who cut his hand is easily the scariest version of that scene ever filmed. I did find the ending a bit anticlimatic, but it is one of those endings that's anticlimatic in a somehow charming way (also similar to "Halloween," not in content but in feel). This atmospheric picture is not only a fun and spooky film to view, but it also appears to be quite influencial on the horror genre.

WARNING: The soundtrack to this movie is horrible. Remember, back in the silent era of cinema the music was added by some guy at the movie theater playing the piano, so there was never any official original soundtrack to "Nosferatu." Still, the people who restored it could have done without the tropical island music that couldn't be more out of place in a 1922 German film. They might as well have put a hip hop soundtrack to the movie. I'm serious, it's really that out of place. However, this didn't bother me too much, and it shouldn't bother you. Why? Because it's a silent film. Just MUTE the [darn] thing!

Creepy Atmospheric Classic
I recall seeing this film as a child, around the age of 9 or so, and being scared witless by Max Schreck's Count Orlok. Schreck's vampyre still remains ultra creepy ~ those long, clawlike hands, those deepset eyes, those scraggly sharp teeth ~ and perhaps my favorite incarnation of the bloodsucking undead. The photography of the Carpathian countryside is breathtaking, adding authentic atmosphere to the setting. You are, actually, 'there'. The special effects are also impressive for the time, and the tinting of the film, I believe, is original. Many silent films were tinted: blue for night, red for danger, sepia or orange for bright day, green for other effects. I make a plug for Greta Schroeder, who did an admirable job of pacing distractedly, filled with awful foreboding. I was quite satisified with the choice of soundtracks on the DVD, and my 17-year-old son had a blast switching between them as the mood struck. You ought to see this at least once ~ it's the one that started them all.

let's have the guts to admit it - this is BORING
I suppose only those that like this movie will check the reviews. Mostly to read about how others like the movie as well as they do. But lord, what a boring movie this is. I don't care if it's a "classic," I don't care how revered it is. Just because it's old and silent and the "first" movie about vampires/Dracula, does NOT mean that this is a good movie. I've seen plenty of silent movies, and it's true that most are boring, but some can be entertaining (I liked 1913's Cleopatra, for example). Nosferatu, on the other hand, is a bore. The mass of the story deals with people traveling, so you have tons of time wasted on someone walking, or riding a horse through vast landscapes, or having a ship drift through water. Walking and walking, riding, going places all the time - and never spending much time on the story when they actually GET THERE! It's such a terrible letdown. All this build up, and not much payoff. The director of this movie was obsessed with "filler." Filling time, wasting time, "just keep walking." Parts that were meant to be scary sometimes work. But barely. Count Orlock does look creepy (like a rat, or a bat creature, whatever...), and there are a few scenes of eerie looking shadows against walls. But that's about it. Sometimes Count Orlock looks silly, like when he's walking through town carrying a coffin as if it were light as cardboard (which it probably was). Worst of all, they took away the black and white of this movie by adding tints. So you get blues and greens and pinks. Horrible. Also, the music - well, enough people have complained about the music. It doesn't fit, especially near the beginning when it's just upbeat sounding and la-la-la happy silly and stupid. Grrr. I hated this movie. Glad I finally watched it, since it has such a reputation, but whew - what a pile. Don't buy into "this is great because it's so old" nonsense. This is boring, plain and simple. - Let the "not helpful" clicks begin!

Nosferatu - Special Edition
Nosferatu is definetly a classic film ; not only in the genre but also out of all movies.This was the first Silent film I've ever seen.And I was suprised that it actually held my attention.Count Orlock (The Vampire) was extremely chilly and haunting.The music was also well composed.I've heard there are many versions of the film so I think I've seen a very good one.It is a very dark haunting story.The castles and Carpathians add to the mood that was set for the film.I've also heard that there was a big lawsuit that Bram Stoker's wife made against the maker.This is a truly deep and intriguing movie for it's time and quality.Make sure to check it out.F.W. Murnau's German silent classic is the original--and some say most frightening--DRACULA adaptation, taking Bram Stoker's novel and turning it into a haunting, shadowy dream full of dread. Names had to be changed from the novel when Stoker's wife charged his novel was being filmed without proper permission. Running times vary depending upon versions of the film. Count Orlok, the rodentlike vampire frighteningly portrayed by Max Schreck, is perhaps the most animalistic screen portrayal of a vampire ever filmed. The design was copied by Werner Herzog in his 1979 remake and by Tobe Hooper for his telefilm of Stephen King's SALEM'S LOT that same year. NOSFERATU is an eerie, menacing film that should not be missed. ... Read more

Description

A pretty American teenager from New Jersey goes on vacation in the south of Spain where she is unknowingly stalked by the vampire Countess Irina von Murnau. As the vampire closes in to seduce the young girl to the dark side the only hope for salvation lies in the white magic practiced by gypsy fortune teller Marga who plans a very special staking for Irina? in the end.

Special Edition DVD includes:
*American and European Versions
*Music Track
*Photo Gallery
and more! ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Two Versions of a Kinky Vampire
A young woman from the States is vacationing in Southern Spain. She takes advantage of the quiet, the sun and the clothing optional beaches. But she has become the target of a beautiful (to some) vampire.

As she continues to fall under the sway of the vampire, she meets and is championed by a gypsy wise woman. The two band together and defeat the countess with a different type of stake.

This is a strange film with almost no dialogue. As the girl is influenced by the vampire, the lighting is changed by washing color into the whites (first red and later blue) to add a dreamlike quality to the film. Some may feel it makes the film look cheap and amateurish but it works.

This is not a Dracula-style vampire film or anything Hammer would have put out. This is more like something Felini or Stoppard would have created.

The disk includes an extensive picture gallery as well as the uncut European version (definitely better than the cut version). A good film when you are looking for something more arty.

Very unique take on vampire lore. Interesting
Here's a DVD that really turns traditional vampire lore on its head. The female vampire vamps around in direct sunlight and enjoys traditional (and some very untraditional) sex with her victims before applying the fatal bite. And that stake in the heart that always annoyed Christopher Lee's Dracula...? Oh, no, that wouldn't do in this film. Vampire Analia Ivars gets staked...but not in the heart! Maybe the staking is director Jesus Franco's nod to vampire lore because the stake is applied where the sun doesn't shine! It's a funny short story shot on video with little budget but with a lot of imagination and gumption. The DVD has some fun extras too. I liked it.

psychedelic puff !
I lived through the psychedelic 60's. The special effects were like other movies of that era. I did not care for it then and I don't care for it now. The bodies become fuzzy and shaded in red.Plus the story line is more like a short story than a novel. It lacks substance. I have more than a dozen of Franco's movies and I have to rate this as last. That being said I do like his female leads and the DVD is loaded with extras.

Jess Franco strikes again!
The name "Jess Franco" is always a Welcome or a Warning whenever you pick up a videotape or DVD for sale. If you hate the darling of the post-modern/Ramones-horror/trashy-erotic video era, then just stay away. You won't find anything of even minimal redeeming value here. If you are among those who refer to Franco as "The Maestro" or "Tio Jess," then VAMPIRE BLUES is the next DVD you should buy.

All of Franco's trademark elements are here. There's great music, unfathomable accents, unusual looking characters, and oodles of inexplicable eroticism. It's inexplicable because you're never sure if it is eroticism or if it's just weird looking people doing things that you've never imagined. You might want to wash your hands (and your eyes) after you've finished watching but you won't regret it. And you'll definitely watch it again.

It's nice to see companies like Amazon, Sub Rosa Studios, and One Shot Productions taking a chance on Franco in his later years. He is one odd director who has never given in to mass appeal. He likes what he likes and he shows it to you whether he thinks you'll like it or not. Give him credit for that at least.

For those who constantly rag on Franco in terms that range from "world's worst" to "hack," there's really no way that you can change them or open their eyes. They do Franco a big favor by attacking with unrelenting hyperbole and hatred. This only shows just how inspiring and moving his films are. He makes you want to do something after you've watched one of his films. You may want to cheer or you may want to throw your DVD player into a washing machine, but you'll want to do something. That, in a nutshell, is the mark of an inspired mind. Weird? Mad? Incoherent? Yes, maybe all of that. But also definitely inspired.

With the marriage of Franco to One Shot Productions (and producer Kevin Collins, in particular), the world may not be safe from Franco features and featurettes for many years to come. For that we should all be thankful.

As for the females in the cast: Rachel Sheppard is a budding young Franco starlet who also stars in Blind Target; Lina Romay is past her physical prime - no doubts about that!!! - but she's got her acting chops down pat; and Analia Ivars is a stunner as the evil vampire who literally does get her comeuppance in the "end."

The DVD is a clean transfer with some remarkable extras. The music is highlighted and there's some interesting behind the scenes footage as well.

Franco fans: get out your dollars!

Franco haters: get out your tomatoes - you can throw them at the screen when he appears to sell a spirited tee-shirt to gullible young Rachel.

Vampire Blues are gonna getcha! - A slight correction
After watching the new Sub Rosa DVD release, I have to add that this is a pretty neat DVD. Jess Franco, for all his kinkiness and flair for the psychedelic has never been presented in a more fitting format. And that's saying something! Having re-reviewed the film, I must add that Analia Ivars is the sexiest vampire I have ever seen in any movie. She ranks right up there with Ingrid Pitt in "Vampire Lovers". Rachel Sheppard is Franco's latest "find" and she ranks right up there with some of the wundergals he discovered in the '70s and the '80s. Lina Romay plays the role of a good girl in this film, a definite change of pace for her. She gets the honor of the plunging in the stake in the memorable final scene. It's one of her best performances ever. And what other film would have the audacity to include a magic t-shirt? Only Franco could think of that. The DVD is clean and crisp. The extras are ample and it's a bargain at any price. There's enough here to make it worth your buck even if you had already purchased the original collector's edition VHS release.

Franco should thank his lucky stars that he was able to hook up with America's One Shot Productions because they have definitely saved his career which had finally seemed to be coming to an end in the early '90s after nearly 35 years of exhilerating Euro Shock.

What I wanted to point out is that I failed to mention that this is a new DVD release of the film. Don't confuse it with the old Euro disc. This US Vampire Blues release through Sub Rosa Studios far surpasses in quality and quantity of material that of the hard-to-find Spanish release. Forget searching for that Euro disc. This is the one to buy. ... Read more

Description

In this re-telling of the classic horror tale, Baron Victor Frankenstein becomes friends with one of his teachers, Paul Krempe. At first, both men are fascinated by the potential of their re-animating experiments. Eventually, though, Krempe refuses to help with Frankenstien's human experiments. However, he is drawn back into the plot when Frankenstein's creature kills a member of the house staff. ... Read more

Reviews (30)

Hammer's Beginnings
The classic Hammer Studio's first major foray into the horror genre remains one of its best. Long unavailable, 'The Curse of Frankenstein' features two great performances from Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee. Cushing creates a sinister but understandable Doctor and Lee gives new dimension to (what had become) a tired role in the Universal canon. Lee today still has a tremendous mind and memory, and has been doing some of his best work (in the recent 'Lord of the Rings'). 'Curse' was followed soon after by 'Horror of Dracula' (now released simultaneously on DVD). For an introduction to Hammer's stylistics and genre makeover, you can't start much better than these two films. (Though do check out Anchor Bay's recent years' releases)

Classic Hammer
I will watch any movie with Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee. It is even better when that movie happens to be a horror classic. The Curse of Frankenstein happens to fall into that category. This is the movie that launched Hammer films association with the classic Universal monsters. Though at this time, they were not allowed to copy the monster look from the Universal film. They re-scripted the Frankenstein story so that more closely resembles the Mary Shelley novel. Cushing plays Dr. Victor Frankenstein with Lee cast as the monster. The movie has the trademark Hammer gothic look and was directed by Terrence Fisher.

The picture quality of the DVD is superb. The picture is presented in widescreen format. The colors are bright with no signs of scratches or dirt as far as I could tell. You would never know this movie is over 45 years old. The sound is presented in its original mono track. Voices come through loud and clear. There are very few extras. There is a film trailer and a still gallery with film facts called "The Making of a Monster". It would be nice to have Lee record a commentary at some point. Hammer went on to produce 6 more Frankenstein films, with Peter Cushing in the title role of 5 of them. The Curse of Frankenstein should be the cornerstone of any good classic horror or Hammer DVD library.

Introducing the Hammer Gothic horror formula
"The Curse of Frankenstein" launched the Hammer Frankenstein series, which was helped by the fact these films ignored both Mary Shelley's original novel and all of the Universal movies about the mad doctor and his monster (the latter because Universal was always threatening to sue). The hallmark of Hammer's Frankenstein films is that Dr. Frankenstein, usually played by Peter Cushing in his role of a lifetime, is more interesting than the monster, which is always aware of what has been done to it. This is not the innocent child-monster of James Whale's classic films.

In 19th-Century Switzerland Baron Victor Frankenstein is awaiting execution and tells his life story to a priest in flashback. As a boy Victor drowned a puppy and brought it back to life, dreaming even them of creating life from stitched-together pieces of bodies. Paul Krempe (Robert Urquhart), Victor's tutor, is revolted by the prospect but ends up helping the mad doctor. Romantic complications abound as Victor ignores his fiancee Elizabeth (Hazel Court), who falls for Paul, while Victor's jealous maid Justine (Valerie Gaunt) gets really jealous. Needing a brain for his creation, Victor causes the death of kindly Professor Bernstein, but the brain is damaged when Paul finds Victor robbing the grave. Victor finally succeeds in bringing his creation (Chrisopher Lee) to life, and using it to settle all of his little problems, beginning with the increasingly troublesome Justine.

"The Curse of Frankenstein" suffers from the one-dimensionality of the two main characters. Both Victor and his creation are basically just psychopaths in this initial effort. Terence Fisher's direction is the best part of the Hammer ensemble at this point, followed by Bernard Robinson's set design for the laboratory, with Phil Leakey's last minute make-up for the creature the low point (although you have to admit it is closer to Shelley's original description of the creature than Karloff's famous look). Although it is technically a sequel, "The Revenge of Frankenstein," the next Hammer film, is much better and there is not reason not to start the series there.

Frankenstein in glorious technicolour for the first time!
The Curse of Frankenstein was the first of the many gothic horrors for which the Hammer Studios became renowned, and it remains one of the best.

Fisher's seminal film contains all the sophistication, irony and terror that made the Hammer Frankenstein series so successful and memorable. Peter Cushing plays the villianous Baron magnificently, and Christopher Lee presents us with an original and sympathetic portrayal of the creature. Production design is stunning, especially some of the lush matte paintings, and veteran James Bernard supplies one of his best scores.

Essential DVD for Horror Fans.
Shot in colour and released in 1957, "The Curse of Frankenstein" is, of course, the film that made Hammer Films a household name for horror/thriller movie fans all over the world. To fully appreciate the importance and impact of "Curse", you have to look at it in the context of the time when it was made. By the mid-fifties, horror films had long passed their peak in Hollywood--certainly in terms of quality. Black and white "quickies", with almost no budget, were being churned out for teenagers to watch at the drive-in ( at least, those who were watching the screen ! ) Shlock-masters like Roger Corman and Bert Gordon were turning out "masterpieces" like "The Wasp Woman" and "The Amazing Colossal Man".

Suddenly, we have a small studio in England, making a horror film with excellent production values, gorgeously creepy sets, fine costumes, professional actors and a talented director, Terence Fisher. At the same time, along with a classy look, you add liberal amounts of gore ( certainly by 1950s standards ), and a couple of voluptuous "damsels in distress" who can scream lustily when they encounter the monster. It was a winning formula that Hammer would raise to an art form.

Peter Cushing plays Baron Von Frankenstein, and his terrific performance dominates the film. His character goes through quite a transformation from curious scientist to an obsessive fiend, determined to "create life" at, literally, any cost. His mentor/friend Paul Krempe ( Robert Urquhart )is an enthusiastic assistant at first, but soon becomes alienated by the Baron's frantic and ultimately murderous behaviour. Sometimes body parts are easily available--sometimes you have to be "creative" in obtaining them !

Of course, this flesh and blood "jigsaw puzzle" comes to life in the form of a hideous, pathetic creature played by Christopher Lee, who soon breaks loose, displaying no appreciation whatsoever for being "born" ! As I mentioned earlier, two beautiful women "round out" the cast. Gorgeous Hazel Court is Elizabeth, the Baron's betrothed, and Valerie Gaunt is Justine the maid. Justine is, as they say in England, the Baron's "bit on the side"--when she threatens to spill all the Baron's secrets unless he marries her, you just know that her future is "cloudy".

"Curse" may not be Hammer's best film, but it put the studio on the map and started an enduring partnership of two very fine actors--Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee.

The DVD exhibits good colour, with occasional haziness and mono sound. The extras are sparse--a few notes on other Hammer films, and a trailer. I would have loved some comments from Mr. Lee--sadly Peter Cushing passed away some time ago.

Still, if you like classic horror films, "Curse" has to be in your collection--its importance cannot be over-estimated. Recommended. ... Read more

Description

A couple stumble into a cemetery and encounter the dancing dead, a spectacle overseen by the Emperor Criswal. They are spotted and taken prisoner and forced to watch the dancing as they await their fate. ... Read more

Reviews (26)

Tit-tit-tittilating!
This movie gets five stars for pure awfulness! "Based on the novel by Ed Wood," (did he direct this under a pseudonym...?) a bunch of "damned" (and mostly damned chunky) chicks are raised from the dead by a guy in a REALLY cheap vampire suit and forced to dance (in various stages of undress) for his jovially demonic pleasure. With a plot about on par with the average "Tales From the Crypt" episode (and with even more frontal nudity), you can just let your brain go out for a beer while you watch this one! My (and my wife's) personal favorite: the porky "indian princess" in red thong undies! Dig those tom-toms! I'm sure all the women who were in this (if they haven't killed themselves from shame), are somewhere thinking "I can't BELIEVE I slept with Ed Wood to get this part!" I'm especially amused that the only other review of this movie is by some OTHER poor bastard in Akron, Ohio. Plainly this IS the cultural center of the universe!

A must see for fans of Ed Wood, others stay away.
A writer and his fiance is driving to a cemetary in the middle of the night so he can get inspiration for his books (this is probably the worst day-for-night scene I have ever seen). He crashes with the car and the couple have to spend the night at the cemetary where the Emperor of the Dead (Criswell) and Princess of Darkness is hosting a topless dance show. This is a very boring film, but the few acting scenes between the dances are as cheesy and funny as you expect from a film by Ed Wood. The "erotic" dances are very innocent and embarrasingly silly, but fun for the first 5 minutes. I can't recommend this film to anyone except for those who wanna se all films of Ed Wood...

Gorgeous DVD transfer of legendary schlock monster nudie
For dedicated sleazologists this has to rank as one of the top DVD releases/restorations so far this year. While readily available in the past on VHS, this digitally remastered transfer supervised by director Stephen C. Apostolof ("A. C. Stephen") makes obsolete all previous releases, including Rhino's, which looks shockingly flat, blurry, and faded in comparison. Orgy of the Dead looks like a real movie now (if not necessarily a GOOD one), with excellent color balance and saturation, contrast, brightness, sharpness, and shadow/highlight detail. Exploitation stalwart Bob Caramico's cinematography looks better than it has any right to, and the color is so rich it's hard to believe it's typically fast-fading Eastmancolor. While IMDb says this movie was in 2.35:1 widescreen (it was advertised as being in 'Astravision'), it's presented full frame here. The compositions look fine, however, without any cramped, cropped feeling (the common 'two noses talking' scenes or other weirdness), leading one to believe that this is the 'open matte' version, which was cropped to widescreen aspect ratio in theaters. At any rate, the print looks stunning overall, extremely watchable, with only some occasional very light speckling evident.
The movie, written by the notorious Edward D. Wood, Jr. (Plan 9, Glen or Glenda, etc.), based on his novel (!!), is a curious hodgepodge of hokey monster matinee cliches and typical early-1960s nudie-cutie hijinks. Opening with Ed's standard florid Criswell monologue, Orgy of the Dead's short-lived story line presents struggling horror writer Bob and wife Shirley (sexploitation legend Pat Barrington/Barringer with flaming red hair), out driving one night looking for an old cemetery for "inspiration." (Barrington's character is named after Ed Wood's "drag" alter ego.) Bob loses control of the car, they crash, then stumble on a graveyard where the Emperor Ghoul (Criswell), the Black Ghoul (Vampira wannabe Fawn Silver), and their striped-shorts-and-armband-clad beefcake henchmen are presiding over some sort of dance revue/judgment of dead souls. Coincidentally, all the judged are female and next to naked. For the next 80 minutes, a bevy of voluptuous dead babes in G-strings each in turn do a "theme" interpretive strip dance (Indian, Skeleton, Cat, Golden Girl dipped in molten "gold" a la Goldfinger, Zombie, Hawaiian, etc.), complete with plenty of emotive gesturing and breast-jiggling amidst swirling ground fog, accompanied on the soundtrack by vaguely Les Baxter-ish exotica and Henry Mancini/Herb Alpert-ish lite pop cues. (I love the "yahoo wahoo" chant behind the Indian dance.) Interspersed with the dances are snippets of those patented non sequitur Ed Wood dialogue exchanges between Bob, Shirley, the Emperor Ghoul, Black Ghoul, and crummy, dime-store Werewolf and moth-eaten Mummy. Unlike many (most?) sexploitation movies of the era, the dancers are generally quite buff and several are certifiable knockouts. Barrington remains clothed as Shirley but displays her awesome (augmented) "ticket sellers" (Apostolof's term) doubling as the Golden Girl in a brassy blonde wig. There is a brief, surprising whipping/bondage scene, and it's revealed that the Black Ghoul swings both ways when she demands to have Shirley for herself! (Silver as the Black Ghoul does a sultry knife-dance but unfortunately no striptease.) TV psychic Criswell appears rather glassy-eyed and reads from obvious off-camera cue cards much of the time. It all winds up with a corny "was it all a dream?" twist ending. As reviled as this movie is by mainstream viewers (see reviews on IMDb), sexploitation veterans can vouch that as nudie-cuties go, Orgy of the Dead is relatively painless; some of the dances are actually mildly erotic (if occasionally out of sync with the music), while Eddie's convoluted dialogue, Criswell's hammy declamations, and the otherwise stiff, amateurish acting provide welcome moments of charming Bad Movie ambiance in the framing scenes.
The extras comprise a trailer (surprisingly looking just as terrific as the feature) and an amusing 20-minute interview with director/producer Apostolof, who recounts his beginnings in the film industry, recalls meeting and working with Ed Wood, and expounds on film technique (!!) and his decision not to go "hardcore", all in a likeable, droll manner. Orgy of the Dead is definitely not for the mainstream viewer; there is zero narrative trajectory and relatively little dialogue, mainly just lots of topless exotic dancing, making it extremely tedious or even boring for many, especially at 92 minutes. If, however you're already a fan of grade-Z schlock horror and/or cheap sexploitation, Rhino's pristine new transfer makes this bizarre, unique delight slide down smoother than a cold beer. Essential trash!!

Funniest bad film of all time!
Another truly hilarious classic from Ed Wood (who apparently was too drunk to direct his own script). If only I could edit out all the long, boring strip teases and just leave in the camp dialogue and incredibly bad acting. (OK, I'd leave in the "Kitty Kat" and "The Bride".) So many classic lines; "More Gold!", "Easy, Shirley!", "I'm so Frightened!", "You, too, will have time for your pleasures, but only after I have had MY pleasures!" and the best, when our hero sees a strip tease act in the cemetery: "Nothing alive looks like that!". The film was made, it seems, by recruiting a bunch of amateurish "dancers" to take their clothes off (except they don't really take them off- Ah, the age of pasties...) Don't miss it!! I fell out of my chair the first time I saw the "Kitty Kat" and I'm still falling out of my chair all these years later. Something about the way that "scary" music segues into the "Alley Cat theme" rip-off, with the Kat dancer and her scratching post! It never fails...

Ed Wood's nudie classic
This review is based on the VHS version. A couple crashes on a tropical island and stumbles across a bizarre ceremony presided over by Ed Wood favorites Criswell and Vampira (or at least a facsimile of her). Various topless girls appear before him and are required to dance as atonement for various sins. It turns out that the voyeuristic couple were killed in their plane crash and the woman has to strip and dance for Criswell, too. No plot and no sex, just topless dancing girls. Very odd film. I gave it two stars because it's typical Ed Wood fare (low budget, poor acting and cheesy dialogue), but I'm an EW fan. If you're not, don't bother with this film. ... Read more

Reviews (24)

A mesmerizing and atypical vampire film
"Daughters of Darkness" (originally titled "La rouge aux lèvres") is a 1971 Belgian-French-West German production directed by Harry Kümel that stars Delphine Seyrig as the Countess Elizabeth (Erzsebet) Bathory (a real historical figure who murdered hundreds of young women in her quest for immortality). In the film, Bathory and her young female companion (Andrea Rau) cross pathes with a young couple, Valerie and Stefan (played by Danielle Ouimet and John Karlen - Willie Loomis from TV's "Dark Shadows") who are honeymooning during the off-season in Europe. At first the couple seem fairly normal, but things quickly sour, as the woman is shown to be emotionally unstable and the man is very violent and turned on by death. Their relationship is also undermined by homosexuality on both sides. There are intimations that Stefan is in thrall to an older man back in England, and Valerie - of course - soon falls under the spell of the ageless and beautiful Countess Bathory. This mesmerizing and hypnotic film makes brilliant use of sound, mood, and color to paint an understatedly savage tableau, and it has a well-deserved cult following. It's probably too slow-moving for the average horror movie fan, however. "Daughters of Darkness" is very self-consciously an "art" film. The carefully constructed images, the nonsensical dialogue, the use of vivid reds and blues, and the extremely deliberate pacing all serve to create a film that - despite a few shockingly strange death scenes - is much closer in spirit to "Last Year at Marienbad" than it is to "The Lost Boys."

Classic
I'm delighted this will be available on DVD. I watched it on VHS a long, long time ago. I'd heard about it in various books on vampire films and haunted every video store I could find to locate a viewing copy. When I finally found it, I watched it with the enthrallment of the very young with the object of an obsession. Based loosely on the story of Elisabet Bathory, this "contempory" tale is of a young newly wed couple who are seduced by a mysterious woman whose interest in them is predatory.

Compared to current movie fare, this is extremely tame with it's allusions to S&M and chic debauchery, but the european elegance of the film will satisfy the die hard vampire film fan who enjoys the older movies that defined the genre in the late 60s and into the 70s. Not as openly sexual as the lush offerings of a Hammer film, it has it's own more subtle erotic charm.

A Bewitching Vampire Tale...
Stefan, a British aristocrat with sadistic tendencies, and the beautiful Valerie, a simple girl, have eloped and are on their way home to break the news to Stefan's mother. However, Stefan is hesitant to bring his wife to see his mother as he delays the trip back to England on purpose by making up stories. The newlyweds decide to stay in an extravagant hotel on the seaside while Stefan attempts to buy some time. Stefan and Valerie are the only guests at the hotel besides the flamboyant Countess Bathory and her seductive secretary since it is off-season. During the stay the Countess Bathory has taken a liking to the couple and begins to seduce them both as she begins setting her wicked plan into action.

Daughters of Darkness is a vampire tale with a malevolently chilly and sexually tense atmosphere that haunts the mind with its subtle approach as Kümel avoids the popular approach of vampires. The vampires do not sleep in coffins nor attack the necks of their victims with sharpened elongated teeth. Instead Kümel disguises the threat of evil behind courteous behavior, alluring charm, and vivid gesticulations that become passionately seductive for the characters in the film. In addition, the mise-en-scene is strongly suggestive and vibrant colors are used in order to enhance the bewitching atmosphere that is viewed by the audience. This leaves the viewer with an uneasy, but artistic cinematic experience that selective audiences will appreciate.

The Pinnacle of Lesbian Vampire Movies
There must be some subliminal message in this movie that I respond to. I have watched it over and over. The Countess is so beautifully evil; she made me fall under her spell. I have heard her described as a "Satanic Auntie Mame". She makes evil so seductive and fun. Even though I have a dark obessesion fop this movie, freinds I have shown it to describe it as boring and slow. (Hang on, talking about it made me get up and put it in the DVD player again). It's not for everyone, at least give it a try.

Ehh, it's okay... 2.5 actually
This film is about a newlywed couple who "honeymoon?" at a fancy palace like hotel in Europe somewhere, alone, and are seduced by a Countess and her sidekick who show up not too long after the married couple arrive. I normally adore art house flicks, but this one has the pacing of a snail. There are only a few "shocking" scenes, and it came long after this viewer had any interest left. I will say this though, over the last 25 minutes of the film the pace quickens and may be considered a "payoff", but like I said, I basically lost interest. Don't believe the hype. If you want an interesting "exploitation" vampire film from the 70's, check out Warhol's Blood For Dracula. Nuff said. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Deep in the woods of seduction.
Surpisingly good french movie, where everyone is not what he/she seems to be. This stylish sleeper is far superior to those teen-slasher flicks where everything is too obvious and there are too many explanations. Erotic, really intriguing and extremely ambiguous, "Deep in the woods" is a potential cult-movie from a 27-yrs-old director. In some ways, between Dario Argento and David De Coteau, with echoes from Mario Bava e Jean Rollin.

Often called a french version of The Blair Witch Project
Decent French horror movie that has often been referred to as France's version of "The Blair Witch Project." I don't think this one quite measures up to "Blair Witch" but it is a pretty good horror movie. In the story five young actors are hired to perform at a millionaire's estate hidden deep in the woods. They then hear unsettling news bulletins reporting another victim falling prey to a bloody serial killer on the loose where they are. The performance suddenly turns into a night of terror as the actors find themselves stalked by the brutal killer. Here are some details about the DVD release: features special extras including both digitally mastered full frame (aspect ratio 1.33:1) and widescreen (aspect ratio 2.35:1) presentations, audio commentary track with horror film expert & director Brian Yuzna (Bride of Re-Animator, Return of the Living Dead 3), cast & crew biographies, theatrical trailer, photo gallery, English & French 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround sound, optional English subtitles, interactive menus and scene index.

The type of film DARIO ARGENTO SHOULD be making
I've seen mostly negative reviews here about this film, I really don't think americans get it. So bombarded with "scary action horror comedies" like THE MUMMY or the new DAWN OF THE DEAD, the modern American perception of horror is a "non-threatening boo" with no substance. Another great example of modern american "horror" is 13 Ghosts which was ruined by a jive talking, step'n'fetchit maid.

That said, this movie is different. It's very artistic and truly gothic in a surreal Argento way. Of course it had slow spots and faults, but for a first time director, low budget and in France?! I loved it and was shocked by sequences and respected it AND was inspired by it. That's so much more than I've gotten from films over here for the last 25 years.

1 star to many.
Wow was that ever awful! I'd write more but Im busy cleansing my DVD player after loading that steaming pile!!!

Deep In The Woods...Foreign Woods...
"Deep In The Woods" is an outstanding foreign film. Released here in the U.S. it has not fared that well. Many think of it as a bad version of "The Blair Witch Project", it is far from it. "The Blair Witch Project" was shot like a home video wanting to be a movie, this film is a movie. Though the dubbing is not that great, the actors and story make up for it. The story's focus is on the little red riding hood fairy tale, and a bunch of grisly murders. As the characters drop one by one everyone is a suspect. Vincent Lecoeur "Fredrick" is great in his role. Watch this movie for great scenes, and acting. You will not be disappointed, for this is a great thriller. ... Read more

Reviews (42)

Another straight to DVD nightmare
Well well, The Item. What can be said that hasn't already? Plenty! The acting in thjis movie is what makes it a thrill to watch. It is so horrible you have to wonder how the director could take any of this seriously. Rita the art student has got to spew some of the most gawd-awful lines ever recorded on camera. They are so fake and so far out in left field that youll wonder if she thinks she's in another movie.

The star of course is Alex and here's a real winner. He talks waaaaay to much and gets annoying really fast. He is also sporting possibly the worst goatee in the history of facial hair. He kills fatty, kisses a ninja transvestite before blowing his head off and is finally killed himself by another criminal as they both go for the glock.

What is the 'Item' you ask? Well it's hard to decribe. It appears to be a three foot creature that looks like male genitalia. It's eyeballs were removed, so it has large sewn on patches of skin. He can get into your head and knows your fears and frightens you to the point of madness with the voice from a bad cartton. It obviously has a thing for third rate Asian actresses, because it makes love to her in the final scene.

I would recommend this movie to drug addicts. If you believe your life is over and meaningless, fear not. You have a future as a movie director or actor.

A Horrible Movie For People Without A Life
I'm writing this review to warn people about this movie. Whatever you do, DO NOT BUY IT, DO NOT RENT IT, AND IF SOMEONE GAVE IT TO YOU DO NOT TAKE IT!!

With faulty reviews and setup, it makes you think the movie was going to be a real thriller, but after about a couple of minutes, you'll find yourself saying "oh my god I wished I didn't get this movie". I got to say, it is a major waste of time and if you don't have a life or you can't tell the difference between what a good movie and a bad movie is, than go ahead and see it. I thought this movie was a college class project, that's how horrible it was, it's a joke! A lot of lame bloody scenes, a major lot of cussing, some nasty offensive moments, combined with some dumb trigger crazy peeps and a worm-like creature COMBINED with bad filming, bad directing, bad plots, and bad everything is what this movie is all about. I stopped about 3/4 way through, trying to see if the movie ever gets better. In the end I wasted time and I couldn't get a refund. I rented it, don't worry!!

FUNNYEST HORROR FLICK EVER!
My god! Ninja Transvestites! HOW CAN YOU GO WRONG!? The movie looks horrible as a horror but as a comedy it is hillarious! Thinka bout it...when they ran through out the movie it looked like they were on a little trolly or something...they were gliding darn it! Watch it, hate it, laugh at it...that is what it deserves to have done. Watch it one time...and it is like a virus...you wanna spread it around and tell others to see how stupid it is...I gave it 4 stars just because I laughed my arse off the whole movie!

May god have mercy on your soul
This is the most god aweful movie ever. I wanted to kill myself during the movie to end my suffering. I wasted two hours of my life that I will never get back. You would have to pay me to watch this movie again. Watching paint dry would have been more entertaining.

This is today's version of cult movies
(Minor Spoilers)

The Item is on the same shelf than movies like Evil Dead. It has many elements that could easily make it a cult favorite: some funny characters (especially Alex), a weak and basic storyline, killer drag queens, a speaking creature, an extremely exaggerated amount of blood, and some sexual content involving a human girl and the creature.

The Item leaves a first impression, right after the first viewing...the impression that I've watched something very weird, and it left me with a curious doubt about my appreciation of the film. After watching it, I didn't know either if it was a "brilliant" movie or just a stupid piece of entertaining, bloody trash. And I still doubt.

First, I'll summarize the storyline. It's about a bunch of felons (four of them, and they can be pretty funny) who rob an item to some kind of weird man that really looks like the bad guy in a cheap Sci-Fi movie featuring Frank Zagarino, if you know what I mean. This mysterious item will supposedly make them rich...and I still don't know how the heck it could! So, they go to one of Alex's friends' house, in which they find her Drag Queen friends...so, these "guys" being witnesses, the four felons have to kill them, and then starts a bloody gun fight. After that (you know who won the fight), they go back to the house, and they have supper...but the "item" is about to get more involved in the story. So, curiosity can be a human flaw, and Alex and his pals open the box, to see what is inside. I won't tell you what it is, even though I'm not the first to review this film on IMDb, and many other people gave away the "punch" (even though we know pretty early in the movie what is inside the box). Not that the "item" is dangerous itself, it's not a powerful creature with fangs sharper than knives...but it is dangerous in a completely different way: it somehow reads someone's mind and turns it against other people. So, as you've probably seen before in kidnaping movies (Suicide Kings comes to my mind), where the victim has discussions with its kidnapers and turns them against each other, this movie is exactly like this, but instead of a normal person being kidnaped, it's a creature.

But if the creature was the only original point in the movie, that wouldn't be enough. So they put some humoristic touches, in the dialogue and in the visuals. The dialogue is often funny, and some other comical parts are the creature itself (you have to see it to understand), the costumes (especially the Drag Queens'), and of course, the gore. Now, I'll explain what the gore is about. This film is not gory like Evil Dead is gory. The Item is, I'd say, bloody. Pretty bloody. There is one scene with a brain, and some organs, but besides that, the only "gore" you see is red liquid. There is a lot of it, the amounts are very exaggerated, and that's very funny at times (Major Spoiler: when Alex gets shot, there is an incredible amount of blood that sprays on the wall, and, after he got the bullet in his chest, he begins choking a little bit, and you see some more blood spurting on the wall as he chokes, it's put in a pretty funny way). There are some funny violent scenes, which is a necessary point for a film of this kind (see Bad Taste, Braindead, Evil Dead, Story of Ricky, and others).

Now, in a more serious tone, I can say that The Item's directing is pretty average, I'd even say that it is below average at times, with a couple of weak camera effects that just remind you how amateurish this is. But amateurish doesn't mean bad, not at all! I'd even say it more than often is a pleasure to watch independent and low-budget movies like this...I loved Bad Taste, but the directing was not good at all...Not that the directing in a movie is not important, I would never say that, but for movies like this one, it won't stop me from loving them.

The acting is extended on many levels. There are very good actors in this film as much as there are weak ones. Mr.Clark is the best (and he's the director too!) actor in this movie, I think. His character is attaching, funny, and in the same leagues than Ash (from Evil Dead), Derek (from Bad Taste) or Lionel (from Braindead)...he surely has his own style, though. He is smart, fast-thinking, he has a conscience, he can be violent, he has fun lines, he's a great character.

The scenario is very simple, but what else could we expect? If this had De Palma's Mission:Impossible's scenario, the film would really suck. The Item doesn't take itself too seriously, but I have to admit that in the end it becomes a little too serious. I still believe that the ending is cool, but the scene before is pretty stupid (when the Chinese girl has sex with the creature).

Overall, it's hard to know if this was good or bad, this was certainly not a masterpiece, but as a future cult favorite, even though it won't be the best, I give it a 6/10, because it has flaws and even with some of the jokes and everything, this will never be as fun to watch as Braindead, never.

6/10

Note: If you liked this, watch the films I've mentioned above. ... Read more

Description

1959. A Car pulls up in front of the St. Francis Boarding School for Girls and out steps Christine: young and pretty... and carrying a sawed off shotgun. She coolly marches into the chapel where the nuns are in deep prayer, blows them away one by one then douses the room with gasoline. With the flick of her cigarette, the room in engulfed.
40 years later the school has been shut down and the building condemned-perfect for local fraternity antics. But when a group of students break into the cursed basilica, none of them are prepared for the horror that awaits them in the convent! ... Read more

Reviews (32)

A great funny horror......
If you want to spend a mindless break in front of your TV after a hard day's work, then this is for you. I loved the part where the two guys are discussing their virginity while being wheeled down the corridor to be sacrificed; and the weirdo guy says to the other, 'I just haven't found the right one yet'.
I think reviewers on this site tend to rate the movie out of it's context instead of for what it really is, a dumb brainless horror movie which was intended to scare you a bit as well as make you laugh now and then. I like to experience those emotions after a terrible day at work in a job that I totally loathe with a passion. If you want to watch a horror movie that's a little more intellectual, then watch Bram Stoker's Dracula.....or is that a love story ???

Really strange horror movie !!!
This is not your normal standard type of horror movie. I don't think the writer/director intended it to be either. If you want to spend a mindless break in front of your TV after a hard day's work, then this is for you. I loved the part where the two guys are discussing their virginity while being wheeled down the corridor to be sacrificed; and the weirdo guy says to the other, 'I just haven't found the right one yet'.
I think reviewers on this site tend to rate the movie out of it's context instead of for what it really is, a dumb brainless horror movie which was intended to scare you a bit as well as make you laugh now and then. I like to experience those emotions after a terrible day at work in a job that I totally loathe with a passion. If you want to watch a horror movie that's a little more intellectual, then watch Bram Stoker's Dracula.....or is that a love story ???

A horror movie for 12 year-olds
I liked some of the characters in the movie, but I have to give it a bad rating because it definitly was not scary and the speical effects looked very fake and cheap.

If you are older than 12, then avoid this movie. Its only for kids.

Night of the Demons 4? Nothing we haven't seen before...
You know, it was really hard for me to dislike this movie, because I really wanted to like it. I first heard of it having trouble finding a distributor a few years ago, and heard it was outrageous, wild, gory, stylish - and so much more. I thought I was in for something new, but after a rousing start (nice, nice), the film becomes stunningly mediocre. Cardboard characters that have been in every teen fright flick since the late 70's populate the picture, and even the one character who should be original - the goth girl (who is absolutely beautiful) - is basically Angela from the Night of the Demons series. In fact, the echoes of NOTDs are everywhere from the makeup to the gore (yes, NOTDs 2 even had decapitated nuns).

At a trim 81 minutes, you'd expect the sensational subject matter to pack a wallop, but outside of the opening and a neat flashback sequence, its all really rather contrived. At times, it seems the filmmakers were trying overly hard to be un-pc, and it does feel a bit juvenile. With such a short running time, there should be no pointless scenes, but instead of wall to wall carnage, we get a couple of scenes in a diner, some inane chatter amongst the teens to establish 'character', and a really cheesy ending.

It does have its moments, some good gore, a bit of stylish photography. Pitty more wasn't done with the effort.

not that great
This movie could have been great but its not. the opening is a stunner but it goes downhill from there. and although the flashback scenes are pretty darn creepy with the nuns, its over far too quick. you wonder what adrienne barbeau was thinking being in this?! It could've and should've been alot better. ... Read more

Description

Made in 1960, Piero Regnoli's "The Playgirls and the Vampire" is one of the earliest Italian horror films. After skipping out on an unpaid hotel bill, a busload of curvaceous showgirls is forced off the road by a thunderstorm. They prevail on the hospitality of a nearby castle, where the reclusive Count Kernassy nearly orders them away--until he sees Vera, a leggy dancer who's a dead ringer for his beautiful ancestor Margherita! Unfortunately, Vera is also attractive to the Count's 200 year old, bloodthirsty ancestor--who's a dead ringer for his descendant! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

ENJOYABLE EURO-CAMP TRASH GEM....
Hilariously awful movie about a busload of showgirls and their disreputable manager who break down outside a spooky castle after running out on their hotel bill. Little do they know the hospitable count who owns the castle is a vampire. The girls wander around in various states of undress and practice their tacky "dance routines" while the count eyeballs them and his spinsterish housekeeper mutters snide remarks. One girl falls prey to the vampire and comes back in the nude! Wearing nothing but fangs, she attempts to vampirize the manager. The heroine becomes the object of the vampire's lust because she resembles his long lost lover. Of course it all wraps up neat and tidy. There's no gore but lots of cheap lingerie and atmosphere. This is a wonderful example of sixties EuroTrash at it's most silliest. I love this movie on terms that are hard to explain to the uninitiated. It's released by Image and the print is good and the soundtrack adequately clear so you can relish the cheesy dialogue and psuedo-atmospheric sets. No budget, bad acting, bad dubbing and the script sounds like it was made up as they went along. Servicable b&w photography works well, the ENERGY is there and the earnestness to put over a Gothic horror movie in a spooky castle despite the frequent lapses into tasteless cheesecake is what endears this one to me. The people who can appreciate this flick on it's own terms, like me, know who they are and I hope they enjoy it as much as I do. It's a lot of fun and a true Euro-shlock classic.

Titillating Italian vampire tale looks great on DVD
Having been fairly unimpressed by the censored, interrupted-by-a-dozen-commercial-breaks version of this (Curse of the Vampire) on USA channel years ago, I was curious to see how the original would hold up. Perhaps I've simply matured, but uncut and uninterrupted on disc, Playgirls is much more entertaining than I remembered. The plot is standard issue: a bus carrying a troupe of showgirls breaks down, stranding them at the castle of one Count Kernassy (Walter Brandi [Slaughter of the Vampires, Vampire and the Ballerina]) who reluctantly allows them to stay the night, whereupon they move in and sponge off of him seemingly indefinitely. The movie provides some occasional unintentional amusement, but it's certainly no Bad Film atrocity; it's competently produced and fairly absorbing, if you're not too demanding of the logic of the script. There are a number of "wandering the castle corridors at night" scenes (requisite in Italian horror films), a few effective shocks, some icky-cheesy gore effects when a vampiress gets staked, the bloodsuckers all sport highly visible pearly fangs (de rigeur for movie vampires after Horror of Dracula), and convincingly creepy gothic atmosphere is generated throughout. Fashionistas will no doubt marvel at the eccentric '60s wardrobe (Lila Rocco sports a very mod checked coat and the Count favors pinstripe and plaid suits over flowing capes). As expected, the dubbed vocal performances all have that annoying stuttering cadence that Euroshock and kaiju eiga fans know and love. The 'Adults Only' sequences that we've waited years to see amount to a few scenes with barely-discernable nipples glimpsed through very sheer nighties, one quick topless shot, and a mildly sexy striptease, to her undies, by one of the 'playgirls.' Somehow she manages to remove about a half dozen undergarments without actually getting naked! It's hard to believe Richard Gordon made any money at all with this on the grindhouse circuit; its definitely not for the trenchcoat-and-kleenex crowd. Although not as horrific or sexy as one might wish, Playgirls and the Vampire still provides plenty of camp entertainment value, and is essential viewing for students of early-60s Italian horror films such as I Vampiri, Black Sunday, Castle of Terror, Atom Age Vampire, etc.
Image's DVD is unspectacular but quite presentable. Thirteen chapter stops are listed on the main menu screen, and a pretty decent-looking trailer, with no dialog or narration and marred only slightly by some light speckling and vertical scratching, is included. The source print used for the feature actually looks surprisingly good, with generally excellent brightness, contrast, grayscale, shadow/highlight detail, and sharpness. There is some light speckling throughout, but no other notable physical damage. The Dolby 2.0 mono audio does reveal deficiencies in the source soundtrack, particularly a relatively soft but nearly constant hiss, and some sporadic crackling and popping, but the music, sound fx, and dialogue tracks are reasonably clear. All in all a very nice addition to the film library of any aficionado of Italian horror.

Oddly effective
PLAYGIRLS AND THE VAMPIRE is actually quite an eerie and atmospheric horror film, if you can get past the out-of-place striptease scenes and the talentless dance scene. Though the story is pretty run of the mill (sexy showgirls trapped in a castle of evil), the cinematograhper and director actually create some fairly tense moments. Throw in the overly-used element of the "scientist looking to cure an age-old evil" and you have a fun night at the movies! The DVD is wonderfully compiled and chaptered, including the trailer at the end of the film. The picture quality is quite clear and articfacts minimal. The soundtrack, however, is terribly dated with lots of cracks and pops. This is ideal for any lover of Italian horror. ... Read more