Satan's Slave

"Satan's Slave" sure was a pleasant surprise, since I went into it with not a lot of expectations (back in 2007, on a first time DVD viewing). Before this one, I had previously seen one other Norman J. Warren effort, namely "Inseminoid" (what I would describe as a dubious "Alien" rip-off with a bit of an early Cronenberg-vibe to it). But never mind that one.

"Satan's Slave" moves at a rather slow pace, but I didn't hold that against it (movies from different eras usually have a different pace to them anyway). A gorgeous leading lady witnesses her parents dying in a car crash. She is kept at her uncle's mansion to recuperate. Uncle and nephew have rather sinister plans with her.

"Satan's Slave" is not exactly a 'satanic worshiping cult' movie, but more a macabre tale of reincarnation. Lots of 70's female nudity, some torture, some sacrifices, some nice atmospheric looking scenery surrounding the mansion and a few nasty & gory make-up effects. The make-up was handled rather well also, given the budget available. And we have a nice twist at the end, wrapping things up.

By now I have seen all of Norman J. Warren's horror films - even became a bit of a fan of the man - and I think his "Satan's Slave" still ranks up there as my favorite. Followed by the aforementioned "Inseminoid" (something most people can't really grasp, since it's usually to be found at the bottom of their list with Norman J. Warren favorites).

This is not as bad as it seems, but it could have been a lot better. The story is intriguing and could have been made something interesting out of, but as it is, the insufficient acting and script get muddled up in a confused cinematography that puts more effort on effects, sex and bloody gore than on making the story and its characters understandable. The film lacks clarity and gets lost in its efforts to express the inexpressible in a manner not to activate censorship. The only real actor here is Michael Gough, who appeared in many films like this, mostly absurd ones, and always made a more comical impression than what his characters was supposed to be, as if he as an evil inhuman freak rather actually should have been a clown.

The strange atmosphere of this film seems to lead many to find it boring, but I disagree and in fact find it unsettling and, well, really absorbing. Some of the over the top T and A (I wonder if the rest of the cast was there at the same time as the nudie cuties, these scenes feel like awkward inserts) but at any rate the acting is very good overall. I like the sicko relationship between Francis and the brother. The fact that the mystery has been given away before the final double reverse is actually quite interesting, and puts you in the place of Candice. I wish they had done a final reversal at the end and had Gough get it, but still, I like this sick little film quite a bit.

But thats fine since the ladies are all very pretty. The eyes of the main actress are worth watching the movie. The slow pace of the movie makes it very relaxing.

On her way to a nice, relaxing vacation at her uncle's isolated country mansion, Catherine (Candace Glendenning) is instead tortured and terrorized by her uncle Alexander (Michael Gough) and cousin Stephen (Martin Potter), who -- unbeknownst to her -- are disciples of Satan.

Michael Gough is here pre-"Batman", Michael Craze, who plays John, also appeared in other films by director Norman Warren. The cast in general is pretty good.

The picture a little shaky on the Mill Creek copy, and the sound is somewhat muffled, but there are plenty of hairy nude women getting sacrificed, if that's your thing. And decent kills, like a head slammed in a door.

Apparently, there exists a version with an audio commentary. I know nothing about that, but it would be an improvement. If the sound and picture are cleaned up on there, too, it might actually be a decent film.