THE
INCUBUS (1981)Directed by John Hough
Elite Entertainment
THE
INCUBUS (1981) This is how a good supernatural
scare flick like this should start. No introductory kills just to fill you in
on what's happening or what's to come, just a creakily fade into the title along
with a subtle SESSION 9 mellowness fear factor. OHHHHHHHH!, your nerves tighten
up with even more anticipation just because of the fact that they don't show
you anything. Well, director John Hough surely knows the atmosphere factor lies
deeply within its intensely dramatic backdrop and storyline. It's a shame that
roughly 6-7 years ago I picked up a copy (The Pan Canadian release) of this
passionate flick, only to be disappointed with its lack of, shall I say storyline
and movement. So, with its resurgence from the wonderful people at Elite Entertainment,
they present us with a nice transfer (mostly due to the fact that to me, Elite
has a good track record for themselves so I trust their judgment) and giving
me a chan
ce
at this little diddy.
Well thank you Lord and thanks for the second chance because movies like this are ones that my inner fear thrives on. You know how a European flick makes you feel when you really get into them, you know, that oozing anticipation, that slow turning of the knife with mood music just to give it to you even harder?. Well my friends, you don't have to be Italian to bring such viscous intensity, but in a relaxing way. John Hough has already done an impressive run of films under his belt with THE HOWLING 4, AMERICAN GOTHIC, HELL'S GATE, Hammer's TWINS OF EVIL, the hauntingly THE LEGEND OF HELL HOUSE, and Disney's own dual ESCAPE FROM WITCH MOUNTAIN and RETURN FROM WITCH MOUNTAIN. Wow, not bad eh? Let's get to the movie now.
Well,
we have John Cassavettes (an intimidating man this fella is) as John Cordell,
the town surgeon and pathologist, starring in this adaptation of a Ray Russell
novel of the same name, along with his daughter Jenny Cordell (Erin Flannery)
in a quiet New England Community of Galen. When out of the blue a series of
murders begin to rock this peaceful little haven. The Incubus supplies us viewers
with a good number of murders to keep us finicky and restless fans in utter
enjoyment. People are being murdered in savage ways (the Library scene will
turn you on) and women are getting raped. Can you get any more savage? How ironic
it is that Sam's daughter is dating the town weirdo, Tim Galen/Incubus.Your
boyfriend kills them and your dad checks out the mess from your other halve's
brutal self, HA HA HA HA. On a lighter note, the m
ovie
is all about suspense and in savage doses, especially the library scene. It
totally reminds me of the anxiety I felt when watching THE TEMPTER (aka THE
ANTICHRIST)-- ungodly nervousness. Then we get to the ending, well folks "sigh,"
if shitty endings ruin the whole film for you then you won't want to watch this.
We all know that Tim is the Incubus so what do we have to look for? If you're
looking at pictures of the film's Incubus (which resembles Lamberto Bava's DEMONS),
look at them and then 5 seconds later look away because that's how fast you
see this thing. No point watching the movie for it because you'll have more
stay with the still. Such a build-up of movie then throwing it away like that!
What a shame I tell ya.
Elite put out a nice crisp-looking film out for another try but with no extras except for a trailer, which is cool but WE NEED MORE! There's an Anamorphic 1.85:1 ratio transfer for those optimal viewing pleasures. The sound is delectable along with the soundtrack from Stanley Myers who also collaborated with John on THE WATCHER IN THE WOODS and also presented the horrid sounds for PAPERHOUSE. So if you're looking for unnerving scares a la Euro vision then for you is this. When you're feeling like being enthralled by bland storyline and predictable fashions, then out you go my friend. (Cannibal Cam)