The Antichrist

Alberto de Martino is an Italian director who likes to rip-off big box office hits from America and England. He borrowed from the Bond movies for his spy flick Operation Kid Brother; he borrowed from The Omen for his dreadful Holocaust 2000. The Tempter (a.k.a The Antichrist or L'Anticristo) was made in between the other two movies I've just mentioned, and is Martino's inevitable plagiarism of The Exorcist. What's extraordinary is that good professional actors like Carla Gravani, Mel Ferrer, George Coulouris and Arthur Kennedy (yes, the Yankee reporter from Lawrence Of Arabia!) were persuaded to slum it in a shambolic production like this.

Gravani plays Ipolatta, a young wheelchair-bound woman who demonstrates psychic abilities. A psychiatrist persuades her to try out regressive hypnotism to cure her disability; she agrees to give it a try, but inadvertently unlocks memories from a previous life in which she was burnt at the stake for satanism. To make matters worse, she is also possessed by the devil and becomes a foul-mouthed, vomit spouting, sexually hungry bitch! An exorcist (Coulouris) is brought in to rid her of the demon within.

The Exorcist was one of the scariest films ever made, but this dismal clone is just tasteless and boring. The bouts of sex are purely there to give the film a degree of appeal to adolescents who get aroused by the possibility of a glimpse of tit. They certainly don't add to the atmosphere of the film. The so-called horror sequences are rendered hopelessly laughable by pitiful special effects. Still, the image of a toad having its head torn off and a woman performing oral sex on a goat's anus is enough to put you off your lunch for a day or two, and Gravani frequently lapses into revolting drooling which looks (intentionally?) like semen. If that's the kind of imagery which floats your boat, you might enjoy this. However, most viewers (myself among them) will be rightly repelled by this stupid potboiler and will find it a real challenge to sit through.

In the 70"s there was a"devil craze"due to the success of Satan themed horror classics like Rosemary's Baby, The Exorcist and The Omen. This film riffs heavily off of The Exorcist, but does it with a different style of filmmaking and a setting in Rome/The Vatican. It does have a good atmosphere with great sets and good camera work. The acting is also quite good and with the cultural differences and European style give this enough to set itself apart from the movie that this is trying to rip off. At the end of the day, it is a rip off and no it's not as good as The Exorcist, but it also is not that bad. In fact, you could do a lot worse in this genre and if you enjoy movies of this type then The Antichrist is worth a look.

I remember seeing this movie when I worked at one of my local video stores back in 1998. The description of the movie on the box was rather hilarious as it is obviously bashing itself by saying "Move over Linda Blair". Yes, this is one of the many rip-offs of the famous Friedkin directed film "The Excorcist". Now, just because it was a blatant rip-off does not mean that it wasn't a decent film.

First of all, this movie has a very good and creepy soundtrack done by Ennio Morricone. If it weren't for the soundtrack this movie would not have been very good. Second, one of the leading stars in the movie is the infamous Mel Ferrer who has been in many Italian horror flicks in the later part of his acting career. Third, the atmosphere of this movie is actually very well done. It was done well enough to keep your interest high.

Unfortuanitly, the down parts of the movie are when the lead actress who gets possessed starts talking just like Linda Blair in "The Excorcist" and she also starts vomiting green crap all over the place just like in "The Excorcist". But if you are a fan of this genre of film making than you can overlook these blatant rip-offs. All in all, I liked this movie. It is nothing great but still enjoyable and worth watching. 7\10 stars

Great stuff. The Italian exploitation rip-off bandwagon didn't miss a beat on any genre, and here we have THE EXORCIST acting as the "inspiration" for a horror picture. Naturally, the sleaze is turned up enormously and the result is a truly entertaining piece of cinematic scuzz. I think the other reviewers have covered the majority of the fun stuff that goes on herein, but I'd just like to add that the movie is nicely put together and photographed, and the hilarious dialogue is sufficiently hammed up by the actors. Plus, it's great to see Arthur Kennedy in ANY movie!

My highlight of the film was when the "possessed" woman seduces a German exchange student- truly hilarious.

I personally found the oft-revered THE EXORCIST to be laughable and ludicrous. L'ANTICRISTO simply goes even further, and if you are equipped with an imagination and a sense of humour, I can think of a lot worse ways to spend an hour and a half.

L'anticristo, or The Antichrist, is a stylish and sleazy treat for fans of Italian horror. This 1974 possession flick from director Alberto De Martino embraces its exploitative nature, delivering a shocking and scandalous experience that will divide audiences.

The story centers on a young woman, Ippolita, who finds herself possessed by Satan after her ancestor was once under his control and burned at the stake. Ippolita, confined to a wheelchair, battles her sexual frustrations and a dark family history, providing a unique twist on the exorcism sub-genre.

The film excels in its visuals. The cinematography by Joe D'Amato is stunning, with beautiful yet eerie settings that enhance the atmosphere. The camera work is top-notch, adding a layer of elegance to the otherwise gruesome and shocking events. The score, composed by Ennio Morricone and Bruno Nicolai, is also a standout element, creating a sense of tension and unease.

However, the film stumbles when it comes to its pacing and special effects. The plot moves at a glacial pace, and the leaden timing bogs down the otherwise engaging story. The special effects are also underwhelming, with mediocre execution that fails to impress, especially during the pivotal exorcism scenes.

Despite these shortcomings, L'anticristo offers a unique take on the exorcism theme, providing more depth to its characters and a stronger emotional impact than many of its contemporaries. The performances are solid, with Carla Gravina's portrayal of Ippolita being a highlight. Her character's situation and struggles add a layer of complexity to the typical possession narrative.

In conclusion, L'anticristo is a flawed yet fascinating entry in the Italian horror canon. It will undoubtedly satisfy those seeking a gruesome and scandalous good time. While it may not be a masterpiece, it is a solid effort that will please fans of the sub-genre.

So, if you're in the mood for a devilish delight, give L'anticristo a spin. Just be prepared for a bumpy ride as you exorcise your way through this stylish yet uneven horror treat.