“satan”

The Redeemer: Son of Satan aka Class Reunion Massacre (1978)

/ billy peppers / Leave a comment
directed by constantine s. gochis
enterprise pictures limited

If you try, you can find the claim that this chunk of tripe was a precursor to the slasher craze or some such nonsense. What it IS is a convoluted bit of inanity that doesn’t make much sense and doesn’t really bother to try.

  1. There’s no “class reunion” as such, and it would be a stretch to call what occurs a “massacre”
  2. I don’t recall “Satan” being involved in any way
  3. Whatever “redeeming” may be in the offing is rendered somewhat inconsequential by the fact that what is happening is incomprehensible

The action comprises mainly contrived murders of characters that are sometimes difficult to identify, their relation to the story arc uncertain. Mix in a flashback here and there, intercut with a doomsday preacher, and so on and so on. Oh, and do NOT forget the supernatural (diabolical?) element. Precursor to the rise of the Slasher, or imitation giallo – your call!

why did i watch this movie?

I was expecting a class reunion massacre, perhaps with a twisted psychotic and some ’70s flair. Plus, I had never heard of it and it had an alluring title.

should you watch this movie?

If you are interested in tracing the process by which too many concepts can be combined into a movie that is both dull and silly, then I suppose so, yes.

Highlight and low point

The second or third murder (the first or second pertaining to the “reunion”) is thrillingly absurd in method or manner of death; the fact that I was not sure which character was being killed was a bonus. The last of the pertinent murders is almost equally absurd, but the identity of the character suffering it is not in question.

rating from outer space: D

The Blood on Satan’s Claw (1971)

/ billy peppers / Leave a comment
directed by piers haggard
tigon british film productions

This fine representation of early ’70s British horror would’ve made a perfect selection for any late-nite frightfest host or hostess – minus the scene or two of pubescent nudity, that is. Blood is a period piece, but of what period I am not exactly sure, in that I am hardly an authority on the confusing history of England. (It’s set in the early 18th century, so let’s call it “Jacobin.” Had I been paying more careful attention, I could probably pinpoint it better. Alas.) AT ANY RATE, the setup involves witches and villages. And madness! Political intrigue! The Church! Et cetera. The children have formed into a sort of consortium, in league with You Know Who. Actually, you don’t; the film’s a bit muzzy on that point. The minimal production values and genteel nature of the proceedings keep things from getting too out of hand.

why did i watch this movie?

It would be difficult for this reviewer to pass up anything called “The Blood on Satan’s Claw,” even if it IS a period piece from pastoral England. The synopsis made it sound bonkers enough.

should you watch this movie?

That’s probably not necessary unless you happen to be an aficionado of British horror of this era and are a completist to boot. Unintentional hilarity might also be a draw, I suppose, as in the case of the inverse fauness.

Highlight and low point

The special effects in this one really speak volumes, as they’re from the school of “obscure the demon or whatever it is behind smoke” and “wave the furry glove with claws in front of the camera in a POV shot.” By the time we finally SEE the demon or whatever it is, it is laughable. Meaning, I laughed.

rating from outer space: C