THE DEVILS NIGHTMARE is a Italian-Belgian production that was released in Europe as LA PLUS LONGUE NUIT DU DIABLE in 1971. A cut version of the film was released in the US in 1973 to cash in on the post-Exorcist craze, although there is no resemblance to that film. It has resurfaced on home video in various forms and various titles several times over the years. Image Entertainment has struck a deal with European video firm, Redemption to bring this overlooked gothic horror item uncut to DVD with a quality widescreen transfer. Image/Redemption not only restored the film to it’s original 1973 version and title, they added several minutes of lesbianism and violence not seen in the original US version, thereby restoring the film to it’s original length!

The films features a classic performance by Erika Blanc as the temptress who nearly seduces a priest! Erika Blanc is a veteran of European cult films including Mario Bava’s KILL, BABY, KILL and THE NIGHT EVELYN CAME OUT OF THE GRAVE. Costar Shirley Corrigan starred in Umberto Lenzi’s SYNDICATE SADISTS among other European thrillers. Jean Servais starred in Franco Prespero’s EVERY MAN IS MY ENEMY. Together the cast manages to create a dark atmosphere of fear and paranoia throughout the film.

The story revolves around cursed ex-Nazi Baron Rhoneberg (Jean Servais) who welcomes seven tourists (including a priest) to Castle Rhoneberg when they become lost on a back-roads tour. Each tourist represents one of the 7 deadly sins, and there are religious overtones throughout the film. One good scene has the Baron’s butler bring the tourists to their rooms, and informing them of all the various deaths that have occurred in each room over the centuries. Part of the Baron’s curse says that his family is haunted by a succubus, who mysteriously joins the tourists at dinner one evening in human guise (the sinfully delicious Erika Blanc). As she tries to tempt the priest, the other tourists begins their own night of sinning, and are soon preyed upon by the succubus. After dispatching the sinners, the succubus sets her sights on the priest who is wise to her ways but too late to help his companions. There is a confrontation in the end with the succubus’s master, ol scratch himself. And of course what Euro-horror movie is complete without a twist ending?

The film can be quite campy at times but does have its moments. There is a lot of gothic castle imagery including cluttered attic with torture devices, underground catacombs, and hidden passageways. Killings include death by serpent, impalement on spikes, by sword, by guillotine, in quicksand, and even the iron maiden treatment. Also the tour guide leader who engages in the sin of gluttony, dies in the pukiest poisoning sequence in film history. A baby is daggered in the first five minutes (for reasons relevant to the plot that I won’t reveal; the baby is not killed for nothing). We see the twitching remains of a tortured cat that drips blood through the floor on the people below. The special effects were shocking when it came out, and although they are realistic the effects are tame by today’s standards. But the restraint showed in presenting the effects contribute to the atmosphere of the film.

SIGHT

The DVD boasts an un-enhanced 1.66.1 widescreen transfer that really gives the gothic trimmings new life for an old film. The European countryside and castles interiors and exteriors look very detailed. There is some film grain visible in some scenes but this is natural considering the age of the elements. The blacks are right on but you can still see the dark sequences quite clearly. I’m sure the film has never looked this good on video before. Beware: There is a orange tint to the opening scenes which takes place as a flashback, and when the credits roll. These first few minutes does not have the best quality; but don’t let this opening sequence put you off on the good job done by Image (considering the age of the film). Again, there is a lot of atmosphere gothic visuals preserved by the transfer.

SOUND

Audio is a good stereo mix. Most films of this vintage get the mono treatment, so its refreshing to hear a crystal clear stereo mix. There is no sound field activity on the rear speakers, but the film is mainly dialogue driven with a quirky haunting score and sound effects. The dialogue is dubbed, but it’s fairly well done and does not distract from the overall presentation. There are no pops, cracks, or hiss in the sound. There is sometimes some creepy female chanting that sounds very eerie and lends a haunting feel to the film.

FEATURES

The "new introduction" is an 8 minute introductory sequence that has nothing to do with the film whatsoever. Instead this introduction features a leather clad female vampire with huge breasts (I assume this character is the Redemption series spokeswoman) putting the bite on a female victim. This imagery is accompanied by some poor horror stock music. Then she goes on for minutes describing her associates who are sex-crazed cannibal girls (but who are really strippers with bad make-up). The topless cannibal girls then proceed to eat fake entrails and lick skeletons. The Redemption spokeswoman then discusses cannibalism in the movies and shows us more footage of her poor hygiene associates. You’d be surprised how boring this got after a few minutes. I heard Image dropped this "introduction" on subsequent Redemption releases.

The theatrical trailer is for the 1973 US release. While enjoyable, the trailer is extremely short at 24 seconds and resembles sub-par VHS quality. The trailer is full frame and is mono.

CONCLUSION

If you are a fan of Euro-horror then this film is highly recommended. It’s not Fulci, but it’s well made for its time and has its share of intrigue, religion, sex, and horror. If you are into SCREAM-type teen horror, then you probably won’t go for this. But if like nostalgic adult gothic Euro-horror then you’ll find it worth a rental. And Image/Redemption really delivers with a widescreen uncut release. Every pre-nineties horror film should be so lucky. Hopefully Image will continue to deliver the goods with their Redemption series.

THE DEVIL's NIGHTMARE is available from DVDEmpire.com

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