Customer Reviews

Abby (The Black Exorcist Edition)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This is not a review of "Abby" per se, but rather a warning to stay away from the pirate (yes, pirate) disc released by the bootleg store Cinefear, of which the reviews below (probably planted by Cinefear itself) rave. WAIT for the proper upcoming DVD of "Abby" instead of buying the high-price, horrible-quality, shoddily-made Cinefear disc. Why should you avoid Cinefear's bootleg disc? Well, it's detailed e.g. here - http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?ID=8516 - but for brevity, let me count some reasons:

- "Abby" was, of course, shot in widescreen. Cinefear's blatant lie on the cover is just an excuse for the fact that they made their bootleg disc full-screen only.

- Cinefear's "transfer" is an extremely ugly VHS transfer, full of tears, holes, smudges, artifacts, jumps and dirt. The sound is dull and hollow and the chapters freeze and skip. Their claim that this atrocity had been transferred from the original print is a blatant lie - you can actually find older pirate releases of "Abby" that look better than Cinefear's schlocky offer.

- There are no "many more" extras that Cinefear promises. A trailer, a radio spot, a description of the film and poster reproductions are there, and that's it.

- Cinefear asks the typical price of their pirate videos for "Abby", a price that is considerably higher than that of legal, high-quality DVDs.

Wait for the proper disc. Though Glen Danzig gave up its production, "Abby" *is* being prepared for a future release in a transfer from the actual film print, not an old VHS tape.

Purchased this because I enjoy B horror movies and because it was filmed in my hometown.

Just so you know, if it was not filmed in my hometown, I would still enjoy having this movie in my collection.

PROS: One of the best blaxploitation films. The corny, over-the-top acting is sure to entertain. Worthy to be labeled a 70s "midnight" or "grindhouse" film.

CONS: If you're like me, you enjoy a gitty, sometimes poor, film quality. It sets the right mood for a film of this type. However, beware, there is a mix of poor quality that suggest this version was transfered from a VHS version. Poor video and poor film quality are much different.

This DVD had me hysterical from beginning to end. The movie "Abby" is about an African-American woman who ends up being possessed by a demon of sexuality called Eshu and goes from being a sweet docile little minister's wife to a sexually charged, no nonsense, lusty, impish, take control type of woman who acts on her every desire. I think that her character improves tremendously once the possession takes over! She goes from meek and unhappy to someone who knows how to have some fun.

Watching Abby transform is hysterical. Some must see scenes include the fried chicken scene, the church choir scene, and the car scene where she gets a little "rough" with her prospective lover. This movie is one hundred times funnier than the so called comedies that are out nowadays.

Carol Speed, the actress who plays "Abby", probably gave the acting performance of her life in this film. The late, great William Marshall who acted in such blaxploitation classics as "Blacula," gives a commanding performance as Abby's father-in-law who combats the demon to save Abby's soul.

This DVD version released by Cinefear has many fun extras, including the original trailer, a radio spot advertising the film, and tons of lobby cards, rare production stills, and a poster gallery. There is also an extensive history of "Abby."

I highly recommend this DVD to anyone who has any interest in horror, blaxploitation, or just wants to be highly entertained for 90 minutes. Watch this movie and see why movies made in the early 1970's are the best.

Abby is a hilarious Blaxploitation knock-off of The Exorcist. Carol Speed really did a great job as a minister's wife who is possessed by an African sex demon. William Marshall was his usual awesome self as well. I'm just waiting for a remastered version. This Cinefear so-called Black Exorcist Edition is okay as long as nothing else is available but it's time for BCI, Anchor Bay, or someone with clout to put out a quality dvd. After years of Beyond The Door, The Omen, and countless other possession films, it's time for Warner Brothers to stop tripping (if they still are) and let somebody give Abby the treatment it deserves. Cinefear has made more than enough money with their grainy, scratchy, hand me down offering.

Having got Abby off e-bay on video I knew the DVD version would not let me down. Amazon didn't stock the film but I to went CINEFEAR.COM and picked it up for 20 Dollars (£17.00 inc p+p)
This is Carol Speed's best performance out of all the Blaxploitation movies she did during the 70's even better than the other classic "The Mack". As well as being a funny movie (Abby kicking her husband right in the breadbasket during one scene!!) there are actually some scary moments such as the scene where Abby is helping prepare food with other women and the evil force within her take's over and she start's to cut her arm with a rather large blade while licking her lips demon like !!!
I also love love William Marshall's performance in this movie, he was born to play the part of trying to free Abby of this demon within her. If you like William Marshall check out the great and also funny "Blacula" movies.
So in a nutshell I can't promote this film enough, just buy it for the fact its a great film and its very rare.

This release uses a beat-up print that is alternately murky and washed-out, and at times even seems out of focus. One wouldn't expect Kurosawa when approaching a blaxploitation EXORCIST knockoff, but at this price one could at least expect a quality transfer. This DVD is simply not worth your money or your time, so steer clear.

Compared to todays horror films, this was funny but a good look at how far the film industry has come!

Abby is a one of a kind gem - a horror baxploitation version of THE EXORCIST that must be seen to be believed in all its campy glory! Starring William Marshall, who you may remember as Blacula, and 70s cutie Carol Speed, this is not a DVD to be missed! but not sure why the Amazon listing above says '2000' - the movie was released in 1974!

The Cinefear SPECIAL EDITION was worth every penny, and features plenty of extras to keep the fans at bay. I really enjoyed this disc overall and will watch it more than once. I beleive all horror, blaxploitation and cult/ bad movie fans should have a copy of this in their collection.

The SE version features the theatrical trailer, behind the scenes photos, a radio ad (read by 70s cult actor Adolph Caesar!!!), poster repros, lobby cards - plus more... and even an Easter Egg!! Glad to see this classic flick making its way on DVD!

Get your demoic groove on with this groovy ghoulie!

A+++++
Highly Recommended!

I really love this movie, but alas, it is not available through amazon or best buy or anywhere!!! But I did get it through www.cinefear.com, and I'm happy to say I was very happy with it. I expected to buy this DVD through Amazon, but on the day it was suppose to be released, it was suddenly "unavailable." I wonder what happened? Anyway, thank God (no pun intended) I got it anyway through Cinefear. I am definitely not disappointed! It is what it is, a really BAD - GREAT movie. Get it now since it's really HARD TO GET. Very, very happy with the DVD. Must see to be believed!

The first and only time I seen this movie was at the tender age of 3. I must say that I was scared as @#*? when my mom, aunt, and I left that theatre. Many years has past since that movie debuted and I still remember the name "ABBY". When you think of Abby, zombie like features, wild hair, disgusting vomit, and a demon possessed woman running toward the movie screen, comes to mind every time. But overall, after 30 years, I think it would be a good movie to watch on halloween.