THE
DEVIL'S NIGHTMARE (1971)Image Entertainment/Redemption
Director: Jean Brismée
THE
DEVIL'S NIGHTMARE (1971)Redemption is known for putting out oddball European exploitation flicks such as THE REINCARNATION OF ISABEL. Most of their releases are not that great (sometimes not even watchable!) but I'm glad to say that THE DEVIL'S NIGHTMARE is the exception.
One of Redemption's habits is to put a prologue on all their releases featuring nude women (no complaint there!), vampires, snakes, gargoyle women, cannibal sisters, etc. These prologues have nothing to do with the film and in fact the one on this DVD discussed CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST and CANNIBAL FEROX! I find these prologues to be a waste of time and you cannot even skip over it to get to the film!
"The devil affixed his mark on all those who made a pact with him" The film begins in Berlin, 1945 with some actual footage intertwined with the opening scenes of the film. This technique was also used in THE VIRGIN OF NUREMBERG (although with an anti-war message). The very shocking opening scene has a commander exorcising his newborn baby girl before stabbing her to death. A scene like this would never be shown today, as it would be considered too brutal.
The opening credits use the film's original title, LA TERRIFICANTE NOTTE DEL DEMONIO (The Terrifying Night of the Devil). The film then moves to present day as the commander, now a Baron (who strangely resembles Ronald Reagan) reveals that his family has had a terrible curse on it and that is why the child-killing event took place.
A woman is soon chased by a mysterious assailant and eventually dies (later deemed to be from a heart attack--perhaps from some of the bad acting) and then we are introduced to the rest of the characters (arriving to the castle in a beat-up looking Old Navy bus). The castle's butler describes the horrible events in the castle to the perplexed guests as he shows them to their rooms (the butler is a look-a-like for Clove from DRACULA PRINCE OF DARKNESS).
The Baron explains that his twelfth-century ancestor signed a pact with the devil and that the devil demanded every daughter born in the family becomes one of his servants--a succubus (a demon who uses her looks to seduce victims). Erica Blanc soon makes her entrance--she is a very stunning looking woman with high cheekbones and long-flowing, auburn red hair. Blanc would also star in KILL, BABY…KILL!, SO SWEET…SO PERVERSE, THE NIGHT EVELYN CAME OUT OF THE GRAVE, and MARK OF THE DEVIL PART 2. Here she gets the chance to shine as she tempts the tourists one by one--killing them in a state of mortal sin so the devil may collect their souls. All of the film's creepy moments are due to Blank's excellent portrayal of the succubus.
The DVD adds a cut 6-minute lesbian scene (Mary Ann and Ginger were never like this!) which Redemption states as the most complete version of the film to date. All of the U.S. and Canadian VHS releases of this title were taken from the chopped up U.S. theatrical version.
There is some controversy behind the director/s of the film as it went through three before being completed. André Hunnebelle had started the film, Jean Brismee took his place when he left, and Patrice Rohmm completed the film.
The DVD's options include a chapter index, language selection, and 30-second theatrical trailer. "The devil's nightmare will leave its mark on you!" Another bonus is that the film is presented in its original theatrical aspect ratio. The DVD transfer is excellent--crisp and clear. Unfortunately the sound quality leaves something to be desired as it goes in and out. Of all the Redemption titles, THE DEVIL'S NIGHTMARE is the best and one I would recommend for your collection. (Chris Gullo)