Hooptober 7.0

56/39 - Bonus Watch 10/6 countries - Belgium
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I added this to my watch list a while back while looking through the majestic Erika Blanc’s filmography.  I was in the mood for a gothic, sexed up horror and fired this one up last night.  I sure wasn’t disappointed.  

Directed with style to spare, after a flashback pre-credit sequence involving nazis and infanticide, we flash to the amazing castle where the action takes place.

A group of tourists are directed to a cursed castle by a shadowy figure after they miss their ferry.  Once they arrive they learn of the legend of the castle’s succubus who, of course, soon arrives in the guise of Erika Blanc.

The castle setting is perfect.  Twisting stone hallways, mad scientist lab, dead cat attic complete with a random Iron Maiden, haunted library and many other sets that just oooze gothic atmosphere.  There is a good dose of Hammer sensibility and style here as well and a diverting if inexplicable lesbian scene between the two beautiful and nubile young women on the tour.  Of course, the second unit director explains (gleefully) that he was asked to film this scene since the director wasn’t interested.

The narrative has some gaps at the end and I’m not even sure what actually happened, but still this was a terrific and gorgeous gothic horror.  I get that the guests were meant to personify the mortal sins somehow (though I wasn’t quite sure who was envy and lust - there were a few candidates).  The kills were inventive (drowing in gold - I’m looking at you) and the cast was quite good, particularly compared to the typically wooden acting in this genre.  Erika Blanc, of course, carries this and apart from being gorgeous, what she is able to do with her facial contortions while in the guise of the demonic succubus is legit terrifying.

Well worth a watch on a rainy Hooptober night.