Dir - Malcom Leigh
Overall: MEH
The X-rated documentary film Legend of the Witches from Malcom Leigh is part exploitation pandering and part sincerely informative in its approach to the subject matter. Shot in black and white with a zero energy narration by Guy Standeven, it is quite thoroughly researched and follows a leaner structure beginning all the way back to pre-Christian paganism practices through their continued use and adaption into the modern day. Detailed depictions of black masses and initiation ceremonies are also shown, with plenty of full nudity to garnish its adult rating. It is far less sleazy though than other occult-themed movies of the time, being non-bias and instructional without seeming indoctrinating. The straight-forward presentation, while equally interesting and admirable, does give way to substantial pacing issues though. Standeven's narration is sparse as is any incidental music and it becomes difficult to stay properly engaged with along the way. Though one could not fairly describe it as entertaining per se, visually it is quite strong at least and there is a consistent, subdued atmosphere.
(1971)
Dir - Ken Russell
Overall: GOOD
If not Ken Russell's crowning achievement, The Devils is at least the most Ken Russell movie that Ken Russell ever made. Graphically stylized and purposely excessive to suite its narrative means, the film is an adaptation of both The Devils of Loudun, (Aldous Huxley's non-fiction account of the trial and execution of the 17th century, Roman Catholic priest Urbain Grandier), and the play The Devils by John Whiting, also based off of Huxley's text. Regarded as one of the most controversial movies ever made, depictions of naked, screaming nuns foaming at the mouth in ecstasy as they burn bibles and dry hump a life-sized crucifix only scratch the surface. The barbaric depiction of the Catholic Church is exaggerated to emphasize political extremes, where Oliver Reed's Grandier is tortured and burned alive in order for his city's fortifications to be torn down to stop further Protestant uprisings. While it is a clear critique on the historical, hypocritical atrocities committed by purely politicized religious extremism, the movie's more paramount themes are that of sexual repression and the duality of pridefulness. It is a beautifully designed, unapologetically provocative triumph in virtually all shapes and forms.
(1974)
Dir - Freddie Francis
Overall: MEH
A movie directed by famed cinematographer/Hammer and Amicus regular Freddie Francis about Jack Palance murdering women to appease his malevolent African god certainly sounds better on paper than it ends up being in reality. Though Craze was a British production, it was also the last film to be made by American B-movie schlock-meister Herman Cohen, which somewhat explains its unfulfilled potential. Based off of the 1967 novel The Infernal Idol by Henry Seymour, the problem mostly stems from the lackluster presentation and monotonous script. Palance phones it in more or less, screaming regularly when he goes full lunatic, but otherwise delivering his lines as if he persistently has something better to do. Francis' keen visual eye is hardly anywhere to be seen as most of the movie is flatly lit and staged. Even the murder sequences are highly unmemorable, save for one where Palance wears a ridiculous mask and basically shouts "Boo!" at an old lady which causes her to have a heart attack. Such moments of silliness are too few and far between unfortunately and it is a less chilling and fun "crazy man run amok" movie than just a laborious, by numbers one.
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