The 1970s was a very interesting decade in the horror cinema, so many subgenres opened for filmmakers, with the exploitation and grindhouse circuit had a short-lived stint, the impact was still meaningful, it also led to dreadful almost unwatchable movies, this is one of those. Director Gerard Damiano who was known for his adult entertainment films Deep Throat (1972) and The Devil in Miss Jones (1973) created a one-time horror film, with suggested occult themes, except he forgot to include Satan. While the movie was made in 1972 it struggled to receive any distribution and would often be on a double bill with Andy Milligan’s Blood [1974], or Texas Chain Saw Massacre [1974] for the grindhouse audiences.
Lisa Christian
An exquisite problem with the film, is that lacks a cohesive structure and in that regard an understandable plot. It opens with a ritual of sorts, the High Priestess (Deborah Horlen) speaking of a new queen to reign for 1,000-years, for it is known as Mars is in the fifth house – yep, suggesting desires fulfilled to Lord Rakeesh. It is during this ceremony that the credits roll for nearly 5-minutes and the oddest synth music plays which at times reminds one of the earliest video game consoles. Then transition to weird spacey set; in which Maya (Lisa Christian) serves drinks to Arthur (James Procter) and her husband George (Paul Barry) briefly discuss God and the Devil, while Maya literally states the same line twice. Then another abrupt cut to meeting Dr Muldavo (John Francis) who leads the blood-drinking satanic cult choosing Maya as their new queen much to the displeasure of Aurelia (Ann Paul). Then another ritual to awaken the desires in Maya which it does with her husband once more, soon enough they venture to the costume part at Muldavo’s estate accompanied by more of the horrible synth music. A series of dull Satanic rituals occur nothing making much scenes in this disjointed production. Cult henchman Carlos (Jarrar Ramze) defends their new queen against George and his glowing sword of light returning them to power. But for how long will their lord protect them?
Every movie has problems, issues, and glitches, it’s the talent of the crew and filmmakers in general to overcome them however, this film just piles up the inconsistences the pacing is hurried, but likely done to cover-up the lack of storyline. While the movie original was to be adult, Damiano decided to change it to a psychological horror film, and herein it’s obvious that continuity suffered greatly. The dialogue is horrendous, the cult leaders merely ramble the delivery, there’s no impactful sermons, the costumes as well as the sets are ritual, the only positive is the location which sadly was cast aside for the drivel on the screen. While the music is haphazardly done, it was the first work both of Arlon Ober (DeepStar Six [1989]) and Mel Zilniker (The Evil Dead [1981]) who created the electronic weirdness that develops more into audio nightmarish annoyance. While most of the actors were relative unknowns, there was a cameo appearance of Susan Peabody (The Last House on the Left [1972]) as a cult extra and the young actress of Christa Helm, who was murdered three years after the completion of this film, which is still unsolved.
In the mid-70s a slew of Satanic-cult films began to emerge, perhaps as a sign of the times therefore it does have a home although lacking the tantalizing elements of ritualistic pageantry décor and substituting stiff performances. Lastly, as previously mentioned the film has no one acting as Satan’s representation in a convincing manner, rather all indulge in bloodlust and drinking, which at least special effects by Tom Brumberger (Christmas Evil [1980]) had some effectiveness.
TAGLINES:
- Why after a thousand years does the spirit of evil call Maya to her destiny.
- See the unholy feast of the damned!
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0139421/
IMDb Rating: 3.6/10
Baron’s Rating: 3.0/10