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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Eurohorror Benchmark, August 1, 2002
By A Customer
This review is from: The Antichrist (DVD)
Forget the derviative plot (why do so many of you who claim to love Italian horror make a point out of criticzing its cannon as derviative? It is a given). This movie is a triumph of color cinematography (by notorius Italian Porn Director Joe A'Amato, no less), blue screen imaging, grotesque sex, and well-informed blasphemy. While "L'Antichristo" is an "Exorcist" clone, it has its truly original elements, and a stronger Roman Catholic flavor than William Peter Blatty's creations. THIS IS NO HACK JOB!! Alberto De Martino made a technicolor beauty to rival and presage"Suspiria" in the annals of Italian horror. Carla Gravina's possessed Hippolita is, at different turns, campily repulsive and sexy. Gravina plays her part straight faced and hard bodied. As for shock, Gravina's repressed memory of her past life's conversion to a "Daughter of Satan" is the most grotesque and disturbing mockery of Catholic ritual committed to film. In "L'Antichristo," the traditional characteristics of possession are treated less as symptoms, and more as combat techniques. Head spinning becomes a form of murder, and vomit becomes a missile weapon. As for visuals, you have to see the eerie and out of proportion scene where Hippolita levitates out of a window!! There are scarier "Exorcist" clones than "L'Antichristo," but none more masterful and visually stunning. I have a friend of a friend of a friend who somehow wrangled an advance copy of this DVD, and, after years of hearing about this movie being essential Italian horror, I'm glad for the sneak preview. There is not much in the way of extras on this disc, except for a 10-minute interview with De Martino and score composer Ennio Morricone (who scored "Exorcist 2," as well), a stills gallery, and a spare American trailer. Though few, I loved the extras. A must for monster movie geeks everywhere. Thank you Anchor Bay; you'll have my money next Tuesday.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Worth a Watch, April 6, 2008
This review is from: The Antichrist (DVD)
In the city of Rome, a troubled young woman named Ippolita loses all her faith in God and others when nothing seems to be able to cure her paralysis and her father's attentions shift to another. A doctor brought in to help cure her apparently psychological affliction begins to experiment with hypnosis, opening a door to a past life that would be better left closed. All Hell breaks loose, quite literally, when Ippolita decides to let Satan into her life again and soon finds herself the devil's tool for bringing about his victory on Earth.
"The Antichrist", also known as "The Tempter", is a flawed but surprisingly good little Italian horror film. No doubt, a fair portion of the film (the latter part) is an "Exorcist" wannabe, but everything that leads up to the big exorcism is really quite different and interesting. And, yes, there's a big orgy scene during a Satanic ceremony at one point, and yes, it does involve Ippolita tasting the business end of a goat, but that part is more implied than anything. Now, as for the "rip-off" exorcism aspect (though I don't see why we should only have one film involving an exorcism and call all others "rip-offs"), yeah, some of the effects are laughable and it doesn't have the scares of the classic Linda Blair film (and Carla Gravina is no hottie-hot-hottie Linda Blair), but it still works for the story being presented and has its own, lighter brand of creepiness. I did find it rather amusing how the characters of the film constantly sent mixed messages about what they believed in, in regards to supernatural vs. science, as well as claiming things like psychic phenomenon to be established scientific facts, but on the whole this movie is successful as what it should be, a piece of entertainment. It is entertaining throughout, and the story is engaging.
"The Antichrist", which also stars Mel Ferrer and Arthur Kennedy, is available here from Anchor Bay in a nice enhanced widescreen. Bonus features include a TV spot, a poster and still gallery, and "Raising Hell", which is an interview with the film's director, Alberto De Martino. Composer Ennio Morricone also takes part. If you're a fan of horror in general, this is well worth owning if you aren't the type to call everything a rip-off or be turned off by a few cheesy effects. Don't expect too much, but it is entertaining at least.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
PRETTY CHILLING!!!, December 3, 2002
By A Customer
This review is from: The Antichrist (DVD)
This is pretty scary, well that's what I thought. Not as good as THe Omen or The Exorcist, or even Rosemary's Baby, but it is definately worth a look. Watch it alone in the dark for the ultimate fright.
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