1974
Director- Leon Klimovsky
From Spain
Cast- Paul Naschy, Norma Sebre, Guillermo Juan Bredeston,
Vidal Molina, Graciela Nilson, Eduardo Calvo, Fernando Rubio, Luis Induni, Carmen
Carro, Sandra Mozarowsky
Based on
the exploits of occultist and serial child murderer Gilles de Rais, this movie
was a real international effort with actors from Spain, Argentia, Mexico and
Italy.
A
medieval Baron (Naschy) is running out of money. After the king turns down his
request for aid, he turns to the dark arts. He recruits an alchemist who promises
him riches via the Philosopher’s Stone, the creation of which will require evil
rituals. The Baron engages in some
virgin sacrifice, torture and necromancy but to no avail (the real life Gilles
de Rais had a similar lack of success). It seems that the Barron’s hot wife and
the alchemist are in league together and taking the Baron for a bit of a ride.
Enter
Gaston, one of the Baron’s old army buddies who has returned from the campaigns
after being missing for years. Gaston is an Errol Flynn type swashbuckler and
quickly recognizes that his old friend has slipped into depravity. Gaston joins
a band of outlaws that oppose the Barron. The Barron goes progressively insane
from guilt and the conflict with the outlaws escalates to an inevitable battle
between the Barron and Gaston.
The
movie has a hard time deciding what it is. Sometimes it’s a cautionary horror
story and sometimes Robin Hood-esque adventure. It also has some dangling
threads that go nowhere. Horror fans in general can skip it, but Paul Naschy
fans will want to catch it, if for no other than reason that to see Naschy as a
vile antagonist rather than the sympathetic wolfman that he is known for.
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