Customer Reviews

Cat People [VHS]

5 star:		(38)
4 star:		(32)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

In general terms, the basic premise of both original 1942 CAT PEOPLE and the 1982 Paul Schrader remake are the same: an exotic European beauty is given to transforming into a black panther when sexually aroused. But Schrader unravels this fantasy concept in some very Freudian directions, setting his version in against the decadent charm of New Orleans, introducing a theme of incest, and ramping up the original with a lot of nudity, a lot of sex, and some of the most graphic violence around. The result is an American blood-and-gore horror film with a hypnotic European sensibility that equates both sexual frustration and orgasm with violent death. The story line concerns two orphaned siblings (Natasha Kinski and Malcom McDowell) who are reunited in New Orleans as adults-but they are, unbeknownst to the sister, the descendents of a mutant race who can only mate with their own kind without transforming into ravening beasts who must then kill to regain their human form. When sister Natasha rejects her brother's advances and then falls in love with a hunky zoo director all hell breaks loose.

In some respects the film is extremely, extremely frustrating, often sliding over the edge from a sexually provocative shocker into moments of annoying silliness-but on the whole it works extremely well as a both a sexual fantasy and the penultimate statement in gratuitous sex and violence. Kinski is ideally cast as the sexy but virginal Irena; you can literally see the "cat" side of her nature emerge more and more as the film progresses. McDowell is equally interesting as her mad brother, and John Heard, Annette O'Toole, and particularly Ruby Dee offer excellent performances in the supporting cast. The New Orleans backdrop is extremely effective, and (speaking as one who has been there) the darker side of the city is perfectly captured; the Moroder score-which includes some sultry vocals by David Bowie-is also extremely good.

A great many people will loathe CAT PEOPLE, and the reasons will be diverse. The film is extremely bloody, often to a can-you-stand-to-look-at-the-screen degree; there is tremendous nudity and considerably sexual activity; and the combination of sex and violence into a sadomasochistic eroticism is quite disturbing. Beyond this, more critically inclined viewers may find themselves annoyed by the script's occasional silliness and the fact that it does not always go as far over the top as it leads you to expect, and the film's very literal depiction of fantasy elements will certainly not to be every taste. But if you have a hunger to walk on the wild side, CAT PEOPLE (which is rapidly gaining status as a cult film) will suit your need as guilty pleasure. A personal favorite.

Although mostly true to the original this one adds a new element to the story. Nastassia Kinski discovers she has a brother and moves to live with him. Said brother is a little strange as is his housekeeper. They seem to know something about her that they are not saying. Then a killer panther is captured at the same time the brother disappears. The cat is housed at a local zoo and Kinski visits it. From there she gets a job at the zoo and becomes close to one of the other workers there.

But Kinski's feelings bring consequences that she can not yet understand. But as her brother gets in trouble she learns some of the truth of her heritage. Now she must try to find some way to balance what she feels in her heart with the curse she carries. With the help of her new friend she comes up with what she feels is the only solution.

While this film manages to remain fairly true to the original, even duplicating some scenes, it seems more concerned with sex than it does with the original story. Nastasha could go around topless throughout the movie and hardly reveal more than she does with all her transparent clothing. She also has a confusing change of personality when she stalks another character. But all in all it manages to be a pretty good film and a fine tribute. Check it out.

In the tradition of erotic 80's thrillers, "Cat People" stands out as a very unique and entertaining piece of work.

Young, innocent, and virginal Irena (Nastassja Kinski) can barely remember her parents or brother. She knows they were circus performers and that is about it. Having been raised in orphanages her whole life, she is finally contacted by her long lost brother Paul(Malcolm McDowell ), who is now a priest living out in New Orleans.

So... she packs it up and hightails out there to go live with him.

What she begins to learn is that her brother is quite an oddball, and she herself is beginning to have feelings and connections that she doesn't quite understand.

Ya see, Irena and Paul are from actual feline ancestors, and they themselves turn into panthers upon heightened sexual arousal. Once they turn, they are kitty killing machines-who don't turn back to normal until after they have made a kill. AWESOME!

Not only that, but they are incestuous-and they only way for them to function as humans, have a healthy sex life and pro create is to only sleep with one another. HA HA!

As Irena begins to establish a life and job for herself, her family demons began to take shape in many bizarre ways.

As the truth unfolds, Irena is left with a series of perplexing dilemmas & questions:

1. Should she believe and join her brother?
2. Should she continue to develop a relationship with that nice man at the zoo she works at?
3. Should she give in to her daily animal instincts?
4. Should she remain a virgin out of fear of killing?

"Cat People" has a purrrrfect blend of nudity, blood, & erotic/ sexual images. I can remember how this movie would always get me fired up as a young lad, and after having just revisited the film some 20 years later-it still holds the power to mesmerize and entertain.

And folks to me.....that's what makes for a good time in front of the TV.

Recommended!

"Cat People" has two things going for it: a creepy, intriguing story line; and Nastassia Kinski. Kinski is absolutely mesmerizing in the title role; an erotic, exotic presence awakening to her own sexuality and discovering that she can only have a life with one of her own kind. Paul Schrader's direction lends a eerily spooky atmosphere to the film. Malcolm McDowell is excellent as Kinski's brother who sees her as his only salvation, as she sees him as her destruction; John Heard is okay but nothing special as Kinski's lover who finally realizes what she is and commits the act that at once sets her free and imprisons her for the rest of her life; and Ruby Dee has a small but haunting role as the landlady who knows Kinski's secret and confronts her with the devastating reality of what lies ahead for her. There's plenty of blood and plenty of gore, but it all fits in with the story. It's not a great movie, but it's a very good one that deserves a wider audience.

Back when it was in the theater around 1982, and I was a mere 15 year old, I happened to find myself entering a very "R" rated film instead of the movie I bought a ticket for, and since, have been in love with Kinski.

Don't be put off on the films date of release, though. "The Exorcist" was a 1973 release, yet the effects and theme are still very unsettling, and no one has replicated the intensity of that film since. Neither have they with "Cat People," and still all the animal morphing and gore seem super-realistic, even though there was no computer aided effects, as they didn't exist.

This film is a remake, but a very GOOD remake, of an old film that simply 'suggested' the reason for the animalistic transformations. With Kinsky at the helm, and her non-issue with full frontal nudity, the viewer is able to see the dynamics of a woman struggling with her sexuality, the unresolved issues surrounding her brother and family, and her deflowering, only to find herself transformed into a black panther.

I was surprised the film had received an 'R' rating, to be honest. At the time, I would have thought pseudo-fellatio, female genitalia, breasts, a little bit of S & M, and very graphic dismemberments would warrent an 'X,' but somehow the director, Paul Schrader, passed with an 'R.' The film, itself, is truly about uninhibited sexual expression, likening it to that of an animal. At times it may appear pornographic, but quickly, something horrific happens, so there isn't a margin for the viewer to find anything arousing, as it is clearly delineated within the boundries of cinema. While it may vascillate into what appears like porn, the reason this film isn't a pornographic piece is that it has no intention of titillating the viewer. Every explicit sex act on screen is followed immediately by dismantlement.

Siskel and Ebert both gave it a "thumbs-up" back then, and I figured if they found it fascinating, I'd feel the same.

And I did.

CAT PEOPLE is basically a cross between a werewolf movie & a vampire movie. Like a werewolf movie, it involves people transforming into animals (in this case, black panthers). Like a vampire movie, it is heavy on eroticism and sensuality.

The film stars Nastassja Kinski as a young woman who goes to visit her brother (Malcom McDowell) for the first time in many years. She soon finds out that she carries the family "curse" of going into a metamorphosis and becoming a leapord.

Nastassja is PERFECT for this part as she has a slender, curvy, feline body. It matches up with her becoming a leapord very nicely. Annette O'Toole is quite attractive too, with more of a girl-next-door type of beauty. Best of all, both girls look absolutely fantastic topless!

If you like erotic thrillers / werewolf movies / vampire movies, my guess is that CAT PEOPLE will more than likely be to your liking. It is sultry, sexy and entertaining in a feline sort of way.

The original b&w Cat People (and it's sequel) are extremely tame compared with this erotic-charged version. Indeed, the originals are downright boring compared to this. The reason? For one thing Kinski is absolutely striking and even distracting. Sorry, but I'm a guy, and Nastassja Kinski was at her most sexy during this period. With those big eyes, luscious lips and...ump, everything else, it's tough to keep up with the flow of the story without your eyes becoming transfixed on her loveliness. What's here is beyond the obvious soft porn feel; but a fine horror outing in the same vein as AMERICAN WEREWOLVE IN LONDON. Kinski is suitably virgin-esque and McDowell suitably slimy. The visuals are very effective but surprisingly limited. The black cats are amazing to watch throughout. Scored by David Bowie and Giorgio Moroder, the music is sufficently creepy and memorable.

As for the DVD version, the picture is mostly good. The sound is a little lacking. There were times when I had to turn it all the way up to hear. Other time I'd get my eardrums blown off. Also, no extras at all. I'd like to know how they dealt with all those big panthers. Surely there was a "Making of" feature suitable for inclusion here.

Unfairly criticised horror from Paul Schrader, writer of Taxi Driver and Raging Bull, director of American Gigilo, Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters, and Affliction. Great cinematography.Drearily (and thats a good thing)paced. Kinski is perfect. Heard is forgetable. McDowell is, as usual, another creepy villian. Critics tend to confuse the films two tones- Horror, and Art House. Its a standard horror story all at once gory, silly, sexy, and unbelievable, wrapped up visually like an Art House movie with great camera work and editing. So, in a way, it triumphs as Horror, except in the pacing, and succeeds as an Art House, except in the story. Well worth more respect then most critics give it.

This movie is great for Nastassja Kinski fans,
and it is good for Horror fans as a welcome respite from the usual Vampires and Werewolfs. Not to mention good for cat people as opposed to dog people!

Immediately Giorgio Moroder's score captures you in the darkness with
its sensual rhythms, then Schrader entices us into a labyrinthine
journey of sex and death seen through the eyes of the dark & beautiful
Irena (Kinski). Her brother Paul, played by a Malcom McDowell welcomes
Irena to New Orleans ( a perfect location for this erotic & fetishistic
tale ) dressed as a priest, this is their first 'reunion' since infancy
& orphanage. Paul takes her home and introduces her to his housekeeper
Female (played by the great Ruby Dee). Their joy is short lived, as
Paul's incestuous overtures are rebuffed by an innocent Irena and his
disappearance coincides with a visit by the police to investigate
Paul's possible involvement in a 'ritualistic' murder involving a
panther. Female is arrested as a possible accomplice to Paul's crimes.
In jail, she advices Irena to 'not love' and 'pretend the world is what
men believe it to be'. Irena is quickly taken in by Oliver ( John Heard
), curator of the New Orleans Zoo, after he startles her sketching a
recently captured black panther. Irena settles into a life working at
the zoo and begins a relationship with Oliver, much to the dismay of
Alice ( Annette O'Toole ), ostensibly Oliver's love interest until
Irena's arrival. Paul resurfaces after a tragic attack by the panther
on a zoo keeper (played by Ed Begley, Jr.) in front of Irena, Alice &
Oliver. Paul's presence is now menacing and his previous advances are
now violent and threatening. He tells Irena that 'only she can save
him': by being with him as they are like their parents- brother &
sister and of an ancient and incestuous race, unable to mate with only
their own kind, lest they transform-returning to human form only after
killing. Schrader captures the dark, sensual and moody atmosphere of
the New Orleans night with this tale of occult, sex, blood &
lycanthropy.