Film Listing I

1920 - 1991

Distributors Blurb

 

"In the Jewish ghetto in 16th century Prague, the community leader and astrologer Rabbi Löw (Albert Steinruck) forsees doom for his people written in the stars. A short time later the Emperor Luhois (Otto Gebühr) issues an expulsion order to the people of the ghetto and they are to leave the city. In an attempt to save his people, Löw creates a forbidding clay golem (Paul Wegener) that he brings to life with the assistance of a demon spirit and an amulet placed in the centre of the creature's chest. Subsequently the Golem saves the Emperor's life and the order is rescinded.

Initially the Golem does nothing but good, but changes after Löw's assistant Famulus (Ernst Deutsch) uses the creature to ward off Count Florian (Lothar Müthel), who is competing with him for the affections of the Rabbi's daughter, Miriam (Lyda Salmonova). Famulus tries to remove the amulet and to return the Golem to rest, but fails as the enraged creature embarks on a trail of destruction, burning Löw's house and making off with Miriam; the whole community is threatened.

The third film by actor and director Paul Wegener to feature the Golem, this is the most accomplished. Its influence can be seen in many later films, but in particular James Whale's Frankenstein. It is an excellent example of German Expressionism and an important contribution to the golden age of Weimar Cinema."

 

Review

 

As it says on the box "based on a legend in Jewish mysticism" and given the date of production we are dealing with a very early creature feature.

The importance of this film is probably its place in film history and the impression that it would have on subsequent films in the same genre.

Fun to watch but it will teach you little about Jewish mysticism.

 

Grate Scot rating : 3/5

Distributors Blurb

 

"Grave robbing, torture, possessed nuns, and a satanic Sabbath: Benjamin Christensen's legendary film uses a series of dramatic vignettes to explore the scientific hypothesis that the witches of the middle ages suffered the same hysteria as turn-of-the-century psychiatric patients. But the film itself is far from serious - instead it's a witches' brew of the scary, gross, and darkly humerous. The Criterion Collection is proud to present two versions of this genre-defying "documentary", for the first time ever on DVD."

 

Review

 

This particular edition was released in 2001 and has two versions of the film. The first is a digital, speed-corrected transfer of the Swedish Film Institute's tinted restoration with music from the original Danish premiere and commentary by Casper Tybjerg. The second version is "Witchcraft through the ages (1968)": the 76-minute version of Haxan, narrated by William S. Burroughs, with a soundtrack featuring Jean-Luc Ponty.

This film is important for a number of reasons, mostly to do with its age: it presents a pre-Wiccan view of middle ages witchcraft; psychological attitudes; film production techniques particularly for the horror genre. At times it's a bit like watching an animated woodcut. If only all documentaries were as much fun. Actually, if only all horror movies were as much fun.

 

Grate Scot rating : 5/5

Distributors Blurb

 

"Long acclaimed as a cinematic masterpiece, The Seventh Seal is a stunning allegory of a man's serach for the meaning of life.

As the Black Death continues to wipe out the population of Europe, knight Antonius Block (Max Von Sydow - The Exorcist, The Magician) returns from the Crusades, disillusioned and worn. When suddenly Death appears before him, he asks for the chance to live, proposing a game of chess to decide his fate.

The knight takes his squire, a troupe of travelling players and a deaf and dumb girl under his protection as the game is played out. One by one Death exacts his toll, and it is up to Block to stall his opponent for as long as possible if he is to help save the lives of those he is trying to protect.

All the while, the villages and towns about them fall further into ruin and religion takes a stranglehold on those desperate for a means of survival."

 

Review

 

An old black and white allegorical film in Swedish about the black death probably doesn't sound too inspiring. It is not historically accurate in terms of the events of a particular period nor of the mindset of the inhabitants. What it does do is take all the worst aspects of the medieval period and bring them together in the one tale and applies a contemporary mindset. The four horsemen of the apocalypse, in their common place roles rather than the biblical, are represented by the black death, the crusades, famine and the personification of death. According to the bible these four are released by the breaking of the first four of the seven seals.

It is questioning faith in the silence of god. If all of these "bad" things are happening then how can you believe in a benevolent god. The events are neither good or bad but simply events. As is death. You can't beat death only delay it and the only important thing to do is to live. The breaking of the seventh seal opens the day of judgement.

One of cinemas classics with enduring images and asking important questions about faith and religion. The language is that of the christian religion but the questions are equally applicable elsewhere.

 

Grate Scot rating : 4/5

The plot according to Wikipedia.

A horror film which deals with the subject of witchcraft in Africa and England. The witch doctors in Africa are only the prologue to, and the reason for, the school teacher returning to England. The school teacher has two nervous breakdowns resulting in amnesia.

As can be seen on the theatrical poster the tag line for the film is "Does Witchcraft Exist Today ?"

Distributors Blurb

 

"1645 sees England in the grip of a bloody civil war. The structure of law and order has broken down. During this climate of fear, self-styled witch hunter Mathew Hopkins tours the country preying on innocent victims in the name of the Lord.

His name strikes fear into the hearts of superstitious people already terrorised by war.

During his reign of terror Hopkins travels the country torturing and executing innocent people for personal gain after claiming to find evidence of witchcraft.

Vincent Price gives an outstanding performance as the sadistic witchfinder in one of British cinema's best horror films. This version of Witchfinder General is the definitive reworking of a masterpiece - carefully restored, remastered and presented in its original glory."

 

Review

 

This is a horror movie and not a documentary. Given the subject material I was a bit surprised that it was considered "sadistic" by some critics of the time. It is after all a film about a character who made a living torturing people to extract confessions of witchcraft during the English civil war. The script had already been rewritten twice in order to try and meet the demands of the British censors.

This is the third and final film from director Michael Reeves who died at the age of 25 which is about the same age that Mathew Hopkins died. This makes it all the more unreal since he was played by Vincent Price who was 56 at the time. Made in two months and on a tight budget it is something of a triumph against adversity.

 

Grate Scot rating : 3/5

A black and white documentary film which was made to promote the witchcraft and occult practices of Alex Sanders.

Distributors Blurb

 

"When a young girl mysteriously disappears, Police Sergeant Howie travels to a remote island to investigate. But this pastoral community, led by the strange Lord Summerisle (a brilliant performance by the legendary Christopher Lee), is not what it seems as the devout Christian detective soon uncovers a secret society of wanton lust and pagan blasphemy. Can Howie now stop the cult's ultimate sacrifice before he himself comes face-to-face with the horror of The Wicker Man ?"

 

Review

 

In a class of its own and without a doubt the finest pagan sing-along horror film. A clever storyline well executed and an exceptional cast of characters. Unusually for a horror film most of the story takes place during daylight and there is no graphic violence, yet the atmosphere gets darker and more desperate as the story continues to its shocking finale.

In terms of life mimicing art this is the film that gave birth to a music festival and each year they build and burn a giant wicker man in the area where the film was shot. I haven't heard any comments regarding policing of the event.

Warning: it would be fair to say that the USA remake is in a class of its own as well. For all the wrong reasons.

 

Grate Scot rating : 5/5

Distributors Blurb

 

"The legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table receives its most impressive screen treatment in Excalibur, from visionary movie-maker John Boorman (Deliverance, The General).

All the elements of Sir Thomas Malory's classic Le Morte D'Arthur are here: Arthur (Nigel Terry) removing the sword Excalibur from the stone; the Round Table's noble birth and tragic decline; the heroic attempts to recover the Holy Grail; and the shifting balance of power between wily wizard Merlin (Nicol Williamson) and evil sorceress Morgana (Helen Mirren). With Patrick Stewart, Gabriel Byrne and Liam Neeson in notable early screen roles, Excalibur serves up, The New Yorker's Pauline Kael wrote, "one lush, enraptured scene after another." "

 

Review

 

I'm afraid that I always have trouble with Arthurian tales. On the cover it says "Adapted from Mallory's Le Morte D'Arthur". Adapted? That's putting it mildly. Okay, I know, artistic licence. Similarly there is no attempt to depict the historical period when it says the story takes place. Let's just try and ignore these points for the moment.

It looks beautiful and the soundtrack is suitably stirring. There are grand speeches and gory battle scenes. Some of the effects look a little dated in this age of CGI but it doesn't detract.

The storyline follows the background to Arthurs conception and birth then skips to the events surrounding his removal of the sword of power from the stone before meeting Merlin, Guinevere, and Lancelot. Morgana imprisons Merlin and seduces Arthur before we're off on the quest for the Holy Grail and the showdown with Mordred.

Although I liked the portrayal of Merlin, and Morgana, they are taking a back seat to the deeds of men which is the reason for the rating.

 

Grate Scot rating : 3/5

Distributors Blurb

 

"The Dark Crystal is a remarkable fantasy adventure, starring some of Jim Henson's most imaginative creatures ever. Five years in the making, this magical tale of good and evil is directed by Jim Henson and Frank Oz and produced by Gary Kurtz (Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back). You can also discover some of the secrets behind the making of the first ever all-puppet film in a special 60 minute featurette!

In another time, The Dark Crystal - a source of Balance and Truth in the Universe - was shattered, dividing the world into two factions: the wicked Skeksis and the peacful Mystics. Now, as the convergence of the three suns approaches, the Crystal must be healed, or darkness will reign forever!

It's up to Jen - the last of his race - to fulfill the prophecy that a Gelfling will return the missing shard to the Crystal and destroy the Skeksis' evil empire. But will young Jen's courage be any match for the unknown dangers that await him?"

 

Review

 

The fact that there are no human characters in the story and that it is portrayed by puppets only adds to the fantasy of this film. The storyline of Jen returning the shard to the crystal is a fairly normal quest. An alien world, but don't let the puppets suggest that this is just another children's story. Whilst there is much to occupy young minds there are darker and more serious ideas being suggested.

There are two main races presented who are engaged in a struggle for the universe. Fortunately the story avoids the usual good versus evil ploy and pulls off a bit of a surprise ending. Visually it is a treat with many weird and wonderful creatures and some great characters.

For fans of the fantasy artist Brian Froud it is great fun to see some of his visions brought to life.

To say much more would probably give too much away. Watch and enjoy something very different.

 

Grate Scot rating : 4/5

Distributors Blurb

 

"Alan Parker's brilliantly imaginative thriller Angel Heart is re-born on DVD for the Director's Chair Collection.

The film, packed with stunning images, jaw-dropping scenes and superb performances from Robert De Niro and Mickey Rourke, is a fusion of two genres - the classic Chandleresque detective story and the supernatural.

Harry Angel is hired for $125 a day to track down the big band swinger Johnny Favourite. What seems like a straight forward missing person case dramatically becomes a murder hunt for this down-and-out private detective. His client Louis Cyphre, a mysterious stranger, is forced to up his fee to keep Angel on the case.

Each of Angel's leads ends up as a victim of a ritualistic act of murder, as he begins to put together the pieces in the jigsaw of Johnny's strange story...the nightmare has just begun."

 

Review

 

A clever, though rather complicated, mystery with some rather blatant clues which I won't expand upon here since it would spoil it for anyone who has not seen it. Suffice it to say that the story is about a person selling his soul to the devil in order to acheive material success and then trying to get out of the deal. In some ways it could be seen as a modern and rather downbeat version of Faust.

Although it is rather gory, and not for the squeamish, it is well worth watching.

 

Grate Scot rating : 3/5

Distributors Blurb

 

"It's witch meets world, as teenage Kiki chooses to live on her own in a new town, using her magical powers to get by. But Kiki is poor with potions and second-rate at spells - instead, she sets up a courier service, using her broomstick to deliver everything from pies to pets. At first with only her sarcastic cat Jiji for company, she soon discovers that she has more friends than she ever thought possible.

Adapted by Hayao Miyazaki from the children's book by Eiko Kadono, Kiki's Delivery Service is one of the best loved animated features in Japan and elsewhere."

 

Review

 

Original Japanese with English subtitles or English dub.

At the age of 13 a witch must leave home and spend a year living away from her family as part of her training. With full moon imminent Kiki gathers together the essentials; her broomstick, cat and radio. She has no talent for spells, potions or fortune telling so must depend on her, sometimes underdeveloped, ability to fly. If there is a message in this film it is to make the most of your talents however small they are. Arriving at a seaside city doing a good deed leads to the idea of a delivery service and a place to stay. The delivery service results in meeting various other characters. A loss of confidence causes a loss of witch powers and depression. A talk with a young artist suggests the similarity to artistic block. A series of events results in her male friend dangling from a rope attached to an out-of-control airship and the only way to save him is to fly. For the kids, that's all you need to know.

For grown-ups this film is a bit more interesting. The book which it is based on was written by a female Japanese author and re-written for the film. I assumed that this would be a Japanese version of witchcraft but when I watched it I was confused; the city looked European, there were airships, black and white television, and old fashioned cars. Did Japan have a tradition of broomstick flying witches ? Where and when was the story set ? A visit to wikipedia provided the answers. The book was written in 1985 and set in a fictional north European country. The film is set in "the 1950s of an alternative universe in which both World Wars never took place".

It is a Japanese version of European witchcraft and it's nice to have the chance to see ourselves as others see us. Depicts witchcraft as magic without ritual or religion. The magic is in the power of the human mind and is not depicted as being due to an external force. For more information about the film, from wikipedia, click here.

 

Grate Scot rating : 4/5

Distributors Blurb

 

"A dowdy nurse, Leah (Josiane Balasko - Gazon Maudit, Trop Belle Pour Toi) is in love with her boss (Richard Berry - La Balance) but he only has eyes for bimbos. She sells her soul to the Devil's apprentice, Abargadon (Daniel Auteuil - Jean de Florette, Girl on the Bridge) in return for a new bimbo makeover to snare her boss. Abar realsies his mistake as he should have done the deal with Leah's miserable, moaning old mother.

The contract is deemed null and void by Gabriel (Michael Lonsdale - Name of the Rose, Moonraker) and the Devil (Ticky Holgado - Amelie, Delicatessen) has to find another soul to take as Leah and Abargadon find themselves falling in love.

A dark, comic treat written, directed and starring Josiane Balasko with a stunning supporting cast."

 

Review

 

First off, let's clear up a couple of points in the blurb above. The character Leah is a dental nurse who is being treated by her psychiatrist with whom she is in love. As a result of losing her job and being spurned by her psychiatrist she succumbs to Abargadon's temptation. The contract was meant for Leah's mother who is life-loving and glamourous in contrast to Leah's dowdy and miserable existence.

This is a comedy and given the subject matter the performances are suitably over the top. The film deals with adult themes and adult humour in a rather French fashion so I cannot pretend that I got all of the references. The script, like the sets and costumes, veers between the realistic and the fantastical with many liberties being taken along the way. In case you hadn't already realised the subject matter is Christian demonology from a French viewpoint so it is Catholic based. Abargadon describes himself as a fifth circle demon on a surface mission which according to Dante equates to anger and is the last of the upper circles of hell which deal with self indulgent sins.

The demons are very darkly goth and drink drain cleaner in their own bar with Lilith as the bar manager. At one point Abargadon mistakenly drinks some Chartreuse which makes him ill because it is made by monks. The denizens of heaven on the other hand are dressed in white but Gabriel goes around in a duffle coat while the minions wear Aran jumpers. Leah's costumes span the dowdy to the outrageous via the Bardot-esque during the make over scenes. The sets and props are similarly stunning with some great visual effects.

Great fun as an adult comedy and the only reason it dropped a couple of points on the rating is due to the subject matter not being particularly pagan but don't let that stop you watching it.

 

Grate Scot rating : 3/5

Film Reviews