Rainey Dawn Detective Sgt. Paquette is called to the murder case of prostitute and heroine attic Elizabeth Lucy. The story flops back and forth between the police investigation and the life of Elizabeth. The deeper they search the more interested Sgt. Paquette becomes interested in learning more about what has happened to Elizabeth. He will soon learn that it's more than a simple murder case, it's a case of a Devil Cult.It's pretty good movie but they do carry the on longer than is necessary, 20 to 30 minutes could be cut off easily but it does showcase Karen Black and that is one of the highlights of her films - herself. *Guys might enjoy the fact you can see her bear butt. lol.Not Karen's best film -- but certainly not her worst. This one you'd just have to continue to to watch (get over the lagging hump) and wait for the ending! 7/10

Ben Larson We may not be seeing Oscar nominee (Five Easy Pieces) Karen Black's rear in this film, as she uses a body double, but we do get to hear her sing three songs on the soundtrack, so that is something positive.It is shot in Canada during the winter, so it is dark and bleak. Appropriate for a story about a murdered prostitute (Black), and Satanic rituals.Double Oscar nominee (The Beginners, The Last Station) Christopher Plummer plays the detective trying to solve the murder. Despite the presence of Black and Plummer, it really didn't grab me, and I was irritated by the lighting. I really don't like pictures that take place at night.

preppy-3 Prostitute Elizabeth Lucy (Karen Black) is found dead at the beginning--she fell (or was pushed) from the top of a building. Police sergeant Jim Henderson (Christopher Plummer) investigates and finds himself involved in satanic rites, ritual killings and more. Also there are flashbacks to the last few days of Lucy's life to see what happened to her.Interesting but very confusing. It starts off pretty good with Black singing (and doing a credible job) over the opening credits and throughout the film. Then it gets very involved, the story gets muddled and murky and leads to an unsatisfying end. To be honest I'm STILL not sure what happened! Also there's bad overdubbing of voices, poor direction and a hysterically bad score at the end which sounds like a bunch of Munchkins signing! The acting is pretty good considering the material. Plummer (a great actor) looks miserable and gives a rare bad performance. Black however was just great. It's a very difficult role and she pulls it off. I kept watching solely for her. So--if you do want to see it see it for Black.Be warned: The St. Clair DVD is in terrible shape. It (obviously) inserts a new title (calling it "The Hooker Cult Murders"!), has faded color and jumps VERY badly at the beginning. Also the sound quality is poor and the movie ends a full nine minutes before it's 111 min running time. That may have some reason for me not understanding it.

brianehl2 Karen Black shines as Elizabeth Lucy, a heroin-addicted prostitute, in one of her finest roles from this under-rated and little-seen French-Canadian effort, filmed in Montreal. She also composed and sang three haunting songs which appear on the film's soundtrack. Christopher Plummer is also first rate as the policeman investigating her mysterious death; with somber overtones and a feeling of dread, the film, the film alternates between flashbacks and current time. Highly recommended, for those who like intelligence and thoughtfulness in their thrillers; they will not be disappointed with this one. The supporting cast is all equally proficient, and effective in their roles, especially Yvette Brind Amour as Meg the Madam. The grim and despairing world of heroin usage is presented unflinchingly as well in a hard-hitting way. The beautiful city of Montreal is presented in several time shots as well; to me, at any rate, one of THE very best and over-looked films of the early 1970's.