La lluvia del diablo

Say whatever you want about "The Devil's Rain", but it undeniable has one of the coolest and absolute creepiest opening credit sequences in the history of horror cinema! Whilst the camera extendedly shows freaky images of Hieronymus Bosch's grim paintings, agonizing screams of people that are seemingly trapped somewhere can be heard. They're screaming: "Let me out of here" and those same voices play an important part later in the film as well. The eerie images, mixed with the even eerier screams, result in a truly scary intro and it sets a very promising & atmospheric tone. Too bad the film continues after the credits and the quality level immediately sinks and keeps on sinking until the end credits roll over the screen. "The Devil's Rain" probably has the most incoherent and muddled script any director ever had to work with. Poor Robert Fuest! None of the characters are properly introduced; we're literally dropped in the middle of satanic events and it's up to each viewer's personal intelligence to figure out the connection between the different players, their backgrounds and whether or not they're good or evil. For a good half hour, we're presented to a series of grotesque and cheesy events that don't make the slightest bit of sense, but hey, at least they're entertaining. Ernest Borgnine is the leader of a devil-worshiping coven and he's desperately trying to recover a book that is in the hands of the Preston family since more than 300 years. Mark Preston (William Shatner) refuses to hand over the mysterious book and thus evil Borgnine takes possession of his eyes and soul. Meanwhile, Mark's younger brother Tom (Tom Skerritt) comes to the rescue and he tries to defeat the forces of Satan by stealing the Devil's Rain; a glass urn containing the restless souls of all the people who joined the cult during the past 300 years. An overlong flashback – taking us back to a genuine 17th Century witch burning - finally explains the motivations and fury of each and every character, but the plot only gets dumber and less menacing as it approaches the finale. The story soon plunges into ludicrous occult ceremonies where Borgnine transforms into a hideous goat (!) and particularly the infamous climax needs to be seen in order to be believed, as it's one gigantic slimy and gooey melting-orgy. The make-up effects are pretty damn amusing and over-the-top disgusting, especially when the eyeless faces start turning into sticky puddles of green hodgepodge. "The Devil's Rain" has an impressive cast and one can't help but wonder how all these stars ended up in a trash-masterwork like this. Their performances, however, range from uninterested (Eddie Albert) to downright hammy (Tom Skerritt) and Ernest Borgnine overacts like as if he's possessed by the devil for real. Apparently, Anton LaVey, the founder and high-priest of the actual Church of Satan, made some extra money as the 'technical adviser' of the film. What did he do? Give instructions on how to sacrifice virgins to Satan without spilling too much blood on your garment? Advise Borgnine how to comb over his hair in order to look more like a goat? Either way you look at it, "The Devil's Rain" is an incredibly strange and curious little film. Even in its decade of release, when horror was an experimental genre and boundaries kept on getting crossed, "The Devil's Rain" is somewhat of an outsider. I strongly suggest every open-minded horror fanatic to check it out, if only to experience suspense, laughter, disbelief and utter camp all in one film!

Two good brothers,(first William Shatner and after Tom Skerritt) and the evil warlock Corvus(Ernest Borgnine) battle each other in order to take a diabolic book in possession by damned family Preston. Tom Preston(Tom Skerritt) helped by a doctor(Eddie Albert) front for satanic cult leader Corvus who need blood sacrifices and he's willing to fight for his life against the masked, robed and blinded cult members. Corvus in a desperate bid to take over the ancient book, orders his minions to kidnap the Tom Preston's wife(Prather). Only one man can prevent the hellmaster from succeeding, though may be too late.

The picture displays lots of creepy moments. Bizarre, tense, controversial and with eerie scenes about practices of devil worship and satanism ritual .Production values and set design are highlighted by the usual cool scenarios, as exterior in a wood village, as colorful interior. Make-up and visual effects provide some much needed jolts. Some of the effects are little dated now, but director Robert Fuest builds intrigue and tension through a stately pace. Top-notch casting, in this otherwise average production. Ernerst Borgnine as Corvus relishes his showy role. Borgnine's acting, assisted by a witchcraft expert, is one of his strongest in an unconventionally nasty role. Furthermore, extraordinary secondary casting, Keenan Wynn as the sheriff, Ida Lupino as Mrs Preston and John Travolta film debut. Film editing by Michael Khan, Spielberg's usual editor. Rare musical score and dark and luxurious cinematography by Alex Philips Jr.

The picture is professionally directed and gruesomely related by Robert Fuest. He's a nice horror movies filmmaker, such as proved in 'Abominable Dr Phibes(71) and Dr Phibes rises again'(72); 'Soon the darkness and Final programme' among them. Rating : Passable and acceptable. The tale will like to horror pictures enthusiastic and William Shatner fans.

This is a prime example of the type of film that haunted and disturbed me greatly when I saw it as a child. I had nightmares about a demonic Ernest Borgnine for months. Viewing it now I find it still holds up relatively well as a fairly well done 'satanic 70's horror' escapade. A disturbing nightmare of imagery and sound to invade your dreams...forever. And very impressive make-up Fx for the time. Who else grew up in the 70's haunted by the strange and dreamy horror films of the time? How does that "shape" childhood? I suppose one is influenced by whatever time they grew up in, but there was no other time like the 70's.

This is what I call a fun film. It's so bad, its good.

It's not supposed to be funny, but you cannot help but laugh. William Shatner kicks royal butt in this for his performance is the funniest...well, I'll be honest, he's running neck and neck with Ernest Borgnine. Early, early performance of John Travolta is to die for. This is a film that you rent, get a big bowl of buttered popcorn with lots of water/soda and just enjoy it for schlock's sake. You know this film was about nothing but a paycheck for everyone in it.

But I must give credit where credit is due. I love watching the 'melting' scene. Loads of fun. This is good entertainment from the "who green lighted this mess?" area of your brain. This was no "The Exorcist" but remember around this time, everyone wanted to do a "devil" film. This one is just funny and in a not supposed to be funny way!

A hidden gem of a movie from the 1970's (d. Robert Fuest) with a plot twist at the end. This isn't as much a horror film as it is an Occult/Fantasy film - there are elements of horror but the film was done at a time when Satan worshipping was in the news and people were afraid of what they didn't understand.

As the title sequence suggests this film has William (Cpt James T. Kirk) Shatner and Ernest (Dutch Engstrom from "The Wild Bunch" or Dominic Santini from "AirWolf") Borgnine facing off against each other, Shatner is the God loving Mark Preston while Borgnine is the reincarnated leader of a Satanic cult, Jonathan Corbis. John (Danny "Grease lightening" Zucco) Travolta makes a brief appearance as 'Danny', a brain washed occultist (this is Travolta's feature film debut). The opening credits confirm that Anton LeVay (the Church of Satan himself, who also has a cameo later as a Minister at the Church) was drafted in to act as Technical Adviser. It was this fact that sparked interest in the movie for me; I know of LeVay's work so I figured this movie would either be crammed full of relevant references or a vehicle to his churches glamorisation.

The Movie: Straight from the off you are thrown into the action without explanation or a lead up to events - while this was confusing it grew on me as it saved a lot of unnecessary spiel. We learn straight away that Shatner's parents in the film are being held hostage in exchange for a book which Shatner is hiding. A fake version of Shatner's father attempts to convince him to bring the book to Corbis (Borgnine) but the wax-fake creation soon melts in the rain (There's a lot more 'melting people' action later on in the film). Shatner goes to confront Borgnine's church which is situated in a run-down rural town. Shatner states that his God will protect him from any temptations that Borgnine's could offer and sets a challenge that if he visits the church and is unaffected he can take his kidnapped parents, if not he has to hand over the book and his soul.

The Book: Written in human blood it dates back to simpler times when Corbis was trying to separate settlers and convince them to join his Satanic cult. Anyone joined Corbis signed their name in the book in blood and are thus linked to the cult/book forever. Corbis is found out as a Satanist/Witch and burned at the stake, before being enveloped by flames he curses Shatner's family line as it was his wife that sold out the cult. The book is the final piece of a jigsaw that Corbis needs to gain his full powers and to unleash the "devil's rain".

Back to the Movie: Shatner fails at his challenge (even with his amulet of protection) and is turned into a Satanist. This means it's left to his brother (Tom Preston AKA Tom "Top Gun" Skerrit) and sister-in-law (Julie Preston AKA Julie Prather) to rescue him, low and behold they have brought a doctors with them too (Dr Sam Richards AKA Eddie "Pod Clock from the Borrowers" Albert). By coincidence Julie has had dreams about the impending events so she tries (but fails) to be a navigator through the chaos. Brother Tom is pretty poor at his rescue attempts too and ultimately fails and is almost turned into a Satanist too. Dr Richards is the saviour, while it seems that he has dropped a clanger in bringing the book with him and leaving it on the floor of the alter while stealing an urn of souls. In actuality it's the urn that has the power rather than the book by itself; by getting Preston to smash it he is able to save the day.

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The movie is dated - when you see how young the starring cast is you'll realise. There is a lack of gore but I can only surmise that this was on purpose to get an already risky satanic film past censors. The Satanists are easy to spot; they have blackened eyes and wear black robes. When they are killed instead of bleeding good old claret they ooze a mix of yellow, green and blue blood. This was confusing at first, the Satanists already lumber around like alien zombies so when I first saw the multi- coloured life liquid spill out of them I wasn't sure if it was a statement about Satanists or if it was for the censors. As well as the multi coloured blood, the Satanists melt when they die. It isn't mentioned whether the people were melting because the Satanical spell had been broken or because God (other Deity's are available) was washing away evil from the lands much like a Noah (and the Arc) scenario. The melting and the colourful blood are good FX for the era (1970's) but look a little old now.

Borgnine's character is inherently a bad guy (or baaaaad guy) and he is the main vehicle for the film, his delivery is top class (even as a half-man/ half-goat Baphomet!) and is as convincing as a lot of the other top films he's been in. Shatner is no lame duck, but then again he's no acting phenomena, Shatner plays the role like only Shatner can - Shatneresque. The rest of the cast are good, a little over hammy in parts but not enough to detract from the performance. As well as Borgnine, Shatner, Travolta, Skerrit, Albert, Prather and LeVay you will also find Ida Lupino playing Mrs Preston, Keenan Owens playing Sheriff Owens and Diane Le Vay (Mrs Church of Satan) playing Priscilla Corbis. With LeVay pulling the strings as a Technical specialist ask yourself, do you really think good will triumph here?

Thanks for reading :)