Post by someoldguy on Dec 4, 2019 9:45:24 GMT -5
A cheapie Filipino movie, directed by Eddie Romero of Mad Doctor fame, but surprisingly rather better than those pieces of shlock. In fact, if one forgives the cheapness of the movie and concentrates on the story it is not half bad.
The Beast is never called a werewolf but from time to time transforms into a hairy thing with a dark grey creature type face, fangs and claws, who rips people apart. Close enough, I think.
A dying man, who is really evil to begin with, becomes the Devil’s servant in exchange for life. He gets incarnated into several other people for a few decades. The story deals with the latest incarnation into the body of a man who just died in the hospital. He is supposed to bring out the evil in other people to serve the Devil but if he ever did, I missed it. (Unless that business with the wife? Hardly diabolical level.) When he wants to renege on the deal, e.g., heads for a church, the devil makes him into a murderous beast. I have no idea what Yellow Night has to do with anything. There is no lunar involvement.
The creature appearance is less than classic, to say the least. The face is too obviously a mask, rare close looks at the hands reveal that they are just flexible cloth gloves, and the hair looks like an overgrown Beatles wig ca. 1965. The fight scenes are pretty fake looking. There is some gore briefly glimpsed of ripped throats and faces and the like. But as I said, concentrate on the story not the production values.
Chubby Vic Diaz portrays the Devil. His occasional appearances to chide the protagonist about his lack of commitment are fairly nicely done. He is usually dressed in a suit and tie and once disguised as a jail guard. But his first appearance is hilarious – loin cloth and headband, looking like the ‘native king’ in a south sea island movie or maybe a wannabe Sumo wrestler. His comings and goings usually are accompanied by clouds of yellow smoke (sulfur?)
Overall acting is not bad, led by experienced actors John Ashley and Mary Wilcox. Dialog is reasonable. Camera work is competently pedestrian. The Filipino Army does a nice supporting role in the climax.
Pretty good ending but you have to pay attention to the conversations with the devil and the mysterious blind robber to understand it properly. I saw that a number of reviewers missed an important point.
Bottom line: One could find worse things to waste an hour and a half on. Keep expectations at bargain basement budget levels and all will be well.
The Beast is never called a werewolf but from time to time transforms into a hairy thing with a dark grey creature type face, fangs and claws, who rips people apart. Close enough, I think.
A dying man, who is really evil to begin with, becomes the Devil’s servant in exchange for life. He gets incarnated into several other people for a few decades. The story deals with the latest incarnation into the body of a man who just died in the hospital. He is supposed to bring out the evil in other people to serve the Devil but if he ever did, I missed it. (Unless that business with the wife? Hardly diabolical level.) When he wants to renege on the deal, e.g., heads for a church, the devil makes him into a murderous beast. I have no idea what Yellow Night has to do with anything. There is no lunar involvement.
The creature appearance is less than classic, to say the least. The face is too obviously a mask, rare close looks at the hands reveal that they are just flexible cloth gloves, and the hair looks like an overgrown Beatles wig ca. 1965. The fight scenes are pretty fake looking. There is some gore briefly glimpsed of ripped throats and faces and the like. But as I said, concentrate on the story not the production values.
Chubby Vic Diaz portrays the Devil. His occasional appearances to chide the protagonist about his lack of commitment are fairly nicely done. He is usually dressed in a suit and tie and once disguised as a jail guard. But his first appearance is hilarious – loin cloth and headband, looking like the ‘native king’ in a south sea island movie or maybe a wannabe Sumo wrestler. His comings and goings usually are accompanied by clouds of yellow smoke (sulfur?)
Overall acting is not bad, led by experienced actors John Ashley and Mary Wilcox. Dialog is reasonable. Camera work is competently pedestrian. The Filipino Army does a nice supporting role in the climax.
Pretty good ending but you have to pay attention to the conversations with the devil and the mysterious blind robber to understand it properly. I saw that a number of reviewers missed an important point.
Bottom line: One could find worse things to waste an hour and a half on. Keep expectations at bargain basement budget levels and all will be well.
Le Loup-Garou Qui Rit