Despite my Atheism, I do love a good Satan flick, and Juan López Moctezuma's Alucarda (aka Sisters of Satan, aka Mark of the Devil 3) is definitely that. I like to call it a "B" movie made with "A" talent, for the most part. Sure, there is some silliness, but considering the theme and the high jiggle factor it is remarkably well made and has a more-than reasonable story to it.The basic story is; a young woman gives birth to a child, and dies shortly afterward, but not before a demon can posses her. The child, Alucarda (Tina Romero, Los Piratas) is taken to a nunnery/orphanage to be raised. As a teenager she meets Justine (Susana Kamini, The Mansion of Madness) and immediately falls in love. Alucarda is not like the other girls, and is all about death and is rather obsessive. There is mention of her previous girlfriend who died, and later when Justine is out of the picture she latches on to Daniela (Lili Garza), the blind daughter of Dr. Oszek (Claudio Brook, the Mexican Vincent Price). One day while exploring an unhallowed tomb where suicides are buried, Alucarda and Justine release a demon which possesses both, and then the madness ensues. The girls return to the nunnery and begin spouting Satanic babble during bible study. When a failed exorcism attempt kills Justine, Alucarda goes off the rails.
There is certainly some bad acting, and a few plot holes perhaps, but overall this is a beautifully filmed movie and most of the major players do a nice job with their roles. Claudio Brook plays the dual role of Atheist turned believer, Dr. Oszek and the Goat Gypsy who starts all the trouble. Tina Romero is haunting as Alucarda, despite some over-the-top bits, but she is possessed by a demon after all.
This is becoming one of my favorite horror films. Lots of awesomeness here. It delivers all the "B" movie staples; blood, breasts, and beasts, but still manages to be a watchable, highly enjoyable film.
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| Alucarda and Justine with the crazy Goat Gypsy (Claudio Brook) |
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| Tina Romero as Alucarda |
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| One of the more phenomenal visuals. |
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| Susana Kamini as Justine |
Despite this Spanish language trailer, the Mondo Macabro DVD has a very good English track. Tina Romero was born in the US, and it appears that perhaps the film was dubbed into Spanish for the Mexican market, though I cannot say that is fact. There is some brief nudity in this trailer.
7 comments:
And "Alucarda" is "a Dracula" spelled backwards.
The bird who plays Alucarda looks like the bird who played the older sister in the first Poltergeist movie (Dominique Dunne, the bird who got murdered in `82). But then again of course, a Heather O`Rourke obsessed lunatic like me would notice something like that, wouldn`t he ! ! !.
This one is on my "would love to see" list, but I'll have to find a copy first.
@Nathan ;-) I think Sisters of Satan is the better title, as there is very little vampiric action. A little, but not enough to call it a vampire movie.
@JBH - I'd have to look at that. Have not seen Poltergeist in 25 years.
@Tim - Netflix has it on DVD, if they survive long enough with their 2/3 stock drop. eBay might have it cheap. I think it is worth a bit of expenditure.
Alucarda is my favorite movie Evur! I don't usually say "hey check out my website" but click my pic and check it out Darius because I've written some in-depth stuff. I'm planning another post for Halloween. Will it happen? Don't know. Also, yes, Rev. Phantoms video review is one of the best things I've ever seen!
Looks like something I would watch with the fellas
@Drunketh: I will get by there. I have been lousy about reading blogs lately.
@TRT: Perhaps. Not overly erotic, just a lot of full frontal. You have to be naked to worship Satan. :-)
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