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Collection ID
1386
Director:
Leslie Stevens
Starring:
William Shatner, Allyson Ames, Eloise Hardt, Robert Fortier, Ann Atmar
Genre:
Art House & International
Studio:
Winstar
Release date:
1965
Rated:
Unrated
Language (Country):
English
(USA)
Summary:
This black and white horror movie, filmed in California but with dialogue in Esperanto, is unlike anything you've ever seen. "Incubus" inverts the usual moral battle of a good person tempted by evil. When a headstrong, blond, young succubus named Kia (Allyson Ames) becomes bored with luring the corrupt and sinful to their ultimate demise, she decides she's going to tackle a truly good man (in the form of a very young William Shatner, of all people). An older, wiser succubus warns Kia that the good have an uncanny power called love, but Kia recklessly dives in, confident in her seductive powers--until she finds herself spiritually defiled by goodness and must summon an incubus (Milos Milos) to enact revenge. The pacing is slow but eerily effective, as are the stark cinematography and low-budget effects. Shatner's intonations are just as distinctive in Esperanto as in English, but that only adds to the movie's overall stylization. "Incubus" shares a kinship with "Carnival of Souls", another low-budget black and white horror film that has more going on than buckets of gore. Though "Incubus" would seem to be heavily influenced by Ingmar Bergman, director Leslie Stevens has said he was more affected by Japanese samurai films. A strikingly unique and beautifully creepy film. "--Bret Fetzer"
My Rating:
My Review: How could I have missed this gem? A friend recently recommended this movie (thanks Dennis!), and I'm glad he did! It's well known that I appreciate the quirky/cult movies, love Shatner, and I've invented my own language (called Hallowese). So how could I not know about this diabolical little gem? Well, now I'm a bit wiser, and better off for having experienced this cinematic oddity first hand. Written and directed by Leslie Stevens (of the Outer Limits television series), this independent production featured William Shatner (before Star Trek), Milos Milos (who committed murder and suicide not long after the film), Allyson Ames and Ann Atmar (who also committed suicide a few years later) in a bizarre horror flick. The story - On an isolated stretch of land, a pair of succubi engage in the torment of man. Luring the sinful to their deaths, and ultimate damnation. When one of them becomes a bit too ambitious, she plots the seduction of an innocent and pure soul. She's warned not to engage in such a dangerous endeavor. She's warned about the power of 'Love'. She rejects the counsel of her 'sister' and embarks on her mission of misery. While she struggles to resist the amazing power of purity, she simultaneously strives to topple this innocent and faithful believer (Shatner). The story is simple, but subtle. Filled with allegory, temptation, love and deception. It feels so much like an Ingmar Bergman film that you can't help but compare it to some of his best efforts. The direction was precise, exacting, while remaining humanistic and touching. The black and white film features some great camera work. I especially liked the extended cross-over fades at the beginning of the film, and some of the unique angles. The night shots, and lighting in general were extremely well executed. The scenery (shot primarily in Big-Sur national park (California)) was amazing, and the dialog! The dialog was done entirely in Esperanto! The international language. The use of this artificial language placed the location securely in our subconscious. The language sounds much like an old-world European tongue, while simultaneously defying precise identification. It added an immeasurable depth to this mysterious, moody masterpiece. The pacing, dialog, and camera work create a creepy and unforgettable classic in this satanic celluloid child of Leslie Stevens. I give it a 5 out of 5.
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