Night of the Devils (1972)

Touches You

It's no definitive masterpiece but it's damn close.

The acting in this movie is really good.

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

I much prefer Bava's version of this tale. This one is okay, but a bit of a slow mover. It is, however, atmospheric and claustrophobic throughout. It is very much so towards the end and the last 15 minutes alone is worth the watch of the whole movie.The film is a vampire movie, but not in the classic sense. These vampires prefer to keep things in the family or with their lovers. It adds an interesting twist - what do you do when a family member or loved one has turned? You'll find through the movie that people react differently and reap the benefits or pay the consequences of their actions.Nicola, an innocent bystander of sorts, has the misfortune of breaking down in the middle of nowhere and ends up sheltering with the family. He knows that something is amiss when they lock up their house tight every night and won't let anyone go out after dark. He also finds out that they are the only family left in the town. He overhears cryptic conversations between family members. After his car is repaired and he witnesses a murder, he decides to go to the police who aren't much help. He goes back to the house to pursue a romantic relationship with the daughter which results in some unpleasantness :).Overall, it is a pretty good film, but one of the things that bugs me about old euro horror is that often the soundtrack contains operatic voices singing part of it. This one is not an exception. A minor point, but it can really run my nerves.And just in case you didn't know, this film was originally done in Italian - it is dubbed which some people can't manage. For me, as long as the movie is good, I don't really care (BLACK Sunday, anyone?)Also, be aware that this movie was made in the 70's, so the special effects and gore are going to be appropriate for that time. I've never understood reviewers who say a movie looks dated when it was made decades ago. Of course it is going to look dated.And finally, there is some nudity - quite common in older euro films. If you are into older euro horror, and don't mind slow paces, give it a watch!

I first saw it on Spanish TV centuries ago. Back then I got into the film during its second half, not knowing what it was about, and at the end I thought it was worth watching. Then many years later I found it in YouTube -the image quality was dreadful, and -as I now can tell- it was a truncated Italian dubbed version. And finally recently I found in the internet a Spanish-speaking version with scenes cut from the one I saw before and with a superb quality image, and I downloaded it. I love the film, and I've been looking for the DVD here in London for months. I couldn't find it anywhere. So I'm keeping my downloaded copy for the time being. The ideal treat for a late rainy Saturday night: I alone in my home, a bottle of Scotch to keep me company for a couple of hours, and this atmospheric chiller.

Weary traveler Nicola (a fine and credible performance by Gianna Garko) seeks refuge at the secluded home of a backwoods family after his car breaks down in the middle of nowhere. Unbeknownst to Nicola, the family are afflicted by a centuries old curse involving a deadly vampiric being called the Wurdulak.Director Giorgio Ferroni relates the compelling story at a gradual, yet still hypnotic pace, does a masterful job of crafting and sustaining a supremely spooky and unsettling atmosphere, makes sound use of the desolate and isolated country setting, and certainly doesn't skimp on both the hideous graphic gore and arousing explicit sex and nudity. Better yet, this film not only effectively presents a rich and fascinating depiction of a bucolic and folkloric netherworld steeped deep in dread, superstition, and ancient traditions, but also delivers a fresh and unique spin on the standard vampire premise. The excellent acting from a top-rate cast qualifies as another significant asset, with especially stand-out contributions from the ravishing Agostina Belli as the sweet and naive Sdenka, Roberto Maldera as the sullen Jovan, Bill Vanders as stern patriarch Gorca, and Luis Suurez as the antsy Vlado. The startling downbeat ending packs a devastating wallop. Kudos are also in order for both Manuel Berenguer's sumptuous widescreen cinematography and Giorgio Gaslini's exquisitely eerie score. Recommended viewing for aficionados of moody European fright fare.

Story about a man who breaks down and seeks shelter with a less than ordinary family with an extraordinary dilemma. Let's just say things do go bump in the night for this family of the woods.Night of the Devils unfortunately is vastly unseen. It has lots of things going for it, like a cast that is truly gung-ho and some pretty good writing. The atmosphere is dark and ominous which gives the film a really great feel.The film does drag in parts where some scenes will go on for a tad too long, but sometimes this becomes a good thing, because it will strengthen the mood of the film. Also the film struggles with its music at times. The music itself is good, and fitting, but at the same time the timing wasn't used very well. Instead of letting the scene play out and remain questionable they'd throw in music where it'd make you realize what would take place. Minor issues that barely damage the viewing experience as a whole.Overall the movie was a really good slow-burn flick with pretty strong performances, an eerie vibe and awesome fx work. Though plagued by a decent amount of predictability it still ended up being a very recommendable movie to horror fans who can dig slower films.