mark.waltz Don't go into this Italian film expecting anything resembling a Hammer horror movie. It is deliberately slow, erotic, moody and gripping. Once you get past the pacing, you will find this an interesting piece of foreign cinema that is more a subtle erotic thriller than a masterpiece of horror. The luscious looking Rosanna Schiaffino is the subject of lust by Richard Johnson, hired to work at the mysterious castle by her mother, the aging beauty Sarah Ferrati in archiving the erotic works of her late husband. It appears that Ferrati has a secret, and as Johnson becomes more involved in their world, he is consumed by his passions that are other worldly in their obsession for Schiaffino. Along the way, there's a battle to the death with Gian Maria Volontè, Schiaffino's obsessive paramour, and claims from an aging female art collector about Ferrati that creates more mystery. I don't watch many foreign films, but the dubbed copy of this I was able to locate made it easy for me to get into, and I found it compelling once certain aspects of the characters were revealed. As it reaches its spell binding conclusion, I was all the more intrigued, especially with the final few minutes where everything from before that was slow and confusing literally had my mind bursting metaphorically into flames. Horror doesn't always need to be scary or spooky or gross. This works on its own merits and is as intriguing as a stranger's wink, although after seeing this, a stranger's wink might make me think twice before responding to it.

christopher-underwood Not perfect but at times startling and even disturbing, this is a fine 1966 b/w film from the versatile director, Damiano Damiani, who made the very different, A Bullet For The General, the same year and later several crime films, including, How To Kill a Judge. Apparently Bunuel at one point considered making this, based upon the book by Carlos Fuentes, and he would no doubt have made it a little more sinister and a little less hysterical. Anyhow, here we have the lovely Rosanna Schiaffino, who would appear in the colourful and equally strange, Check to the Queen a couple of years later. Here she is the love/sex interest, although like her worrying elderly mistress, also takes a turn at the frighteningly weird when she becomes stressed. You will have never seen anything quite like this, despite the seeming familiar theme of possession, and should definitely check it out.

Woodyanders Suave and cocky male chauvinist historian Sergio (an excellent performance by Richard Johnson) is hired by aloof and strange old widow Consuelo (a fine and effectively icy portrayal by Sarah Ferrati) who lives in a moldy old castle to catalog her library. Sergio meets and becomes smitten with Consuelo's striking and seductive daughter Aura (the stunning and beguiling Rosanna Schiaffino, whose powerfully sensuous presence positively burns up the screen). Sergio soon finds himself caught in a bizarre supernatural world of dark secrets and forbidden desires. Director/co-writer Damiano Damiani relates the intriguing and unpredictable story at a gradual, yet hypnotic pace and does an expert job of creating and maintaining an arrestingly eerie and mysterious atmosphere that gets more creepy and unnerving as the narrative unfolds towards a genuinely startling surprise conclusion. Moreover, there's an intoxicating underlying eroticism to the oddball proceedings that's highlighted by an incredibly sexy scene in which Aura has Sergio undress her with his teeth. We also get a profound and poignant central message about the desperate measures someone will resort to for companionship. The three leads all give top-notch performances. Gian Maria Volonte is likewise outstanding in a substantial co-starring role as Aura's jealous and possessive former lover Fabrizio. Leonida Barboni's stark and expressive black and white cinematography offers a wealth of breathtaking visuals. Luis Enriquez Bacalov's brooding score hits the shuddery spot. Well worth a look for fright film fans seeking something different and out of the ordinary.

Joe Stemme Had an opportunity to view a 16MM print of the English-dubbed version. Dubbing is often a distraction, but this is one of the better dubbed films of its era. Stylistically, this is a very slow European modern witch tale, not likely to appeal to the 'Creature Feature' crowd (which is surely why it bypassed US theaters and landed on late-nite TV). The acting, camera-work, direction and music (by IL POSTINO Oscar-winner Luis Bacalov) are all moody and well-done. Unfortunately, the slowness of the yarn (which builds the erotic tensions so well during the first half), minimizes the impact by the climax. Still, this is an intelligent, ADULT, and erotic piece which is worth searching out for high-minded horror fans.