The Devil's Rain
Company: Severin-Films
Plot: The plot is very simple, a bunch of Satanists in an out of the way area has ultimate powers to melt anyone that gets in there way. Soon they mess with the wrong people and soon a son vows revenge against them as loved ones become victims of the Satanic powers. Head Satanist Corbis wants to get his hands on a book that displays the names of those who sold there soul to the Devil. As you would guess literally "all hell breaks loose". The ultimate showdown of "I'm Melting" , " I'm melting" becomes an eye opening reality.
My Review and Thoughts:
The Devils Rain is a cult classic. A wonderful B-grade, cheesy horror gem
that stands out, and makes the classic horror movie sense bleed off screen for
the wonderment of the viewer who loves Midnight, Late Night Drive-In, B-grade cinema. Classic cast. Classic makeup and effects. It's a
film that stands out and is very memorable. I first saw it at the Drive-In
during a Halloween movie marathon back in the late 80's and I became an instant
fan.
I was super excited when I heard that Severin Films was bringing
this horror gem to a solid special edition Blu-ray. I felt like I was a child
waking on Christmas morn. Boy has Severin done an amazing job at bringing this
horror film to a modern audience, and allowing them to experience this film in a
stunning new transfer. A wonderful crystal-clear imagery and dynamic sound
quality. Huge fan of Severin Films. They always create flawless examples of top
notch products that truly shocks and leaves you with a lot of satisfaction.
They take great care in releasing Grade A transfers of older films, obscure, lost by time, or never given the light of day or respect styles movies.
Starring a retro ensemble cast. One and only William
Shatner, instead of battling aliens as, Captain Kirk, this time around its,
Satanist. The amazing Ernest Borgnine who I have to mention stared in well
over 200 performances in Movie and TV form. He was a master actor, both character, side kick, or star. He was a one of a kind. It's sad thinking he is
no longer with us. He left many great examples of entertainment. Also starring the very
underrated Tom Skerritt who will always be remembered as Dallas by me, form the
original sci-fi horror masterpiece Alien. Also, a young John Travolta. Also,
the one and only Eddie Albert who also stared in well over 200 performances. And
starring in a small part is real life Satanist and creator of the The Satanic
Bible in real life, Anton LaVey. He is credited as the film's technical
advisor.
Also starring the stunning and very beautiful Ida Lupino. A
wonderful actress who stared in over 100 performances. Started acting in 1931
and did so until 1978. Starring in a vast array of Drive-In flare and
brilliance. From B-grade classics like 1950's Woman in Hiding, 1952's Beware,
My Lovely, 54's Private Help 36, 55's Women's Prison, and the ultimate Drive-In
Classic 1976's Cheese-tastic The Food for the Gods. It was wonderful seeing her
again in The Devils Rain as the character of Mrs. Preston.
I must say keep an eye out for the one and only Keenan Wynn.
A true actor, character actor, voice actor. Performed in 280 performances. A
sidelined character, a sheriff of few words, a bartender or a character with a
full name, whatever he was in, he shined. I love watching old films and TV and
spotting him. From 64's Dr. Strangelove, to 64's Bikini Beach as the character
Harvey Huntington Honeywagon. Loved him in 66's The Night of the Grizzly. He
was in so many Drive-In classics. B-grade films of perfect cheesiness. Who can
forget him in one of the Crap-tastic, cheesiest of all time, the B-movie
Masterpiece (Hahaha) 1978's Laserblast. Also in Drive-In greats like 78's Coach, 78's
Piranha, 79's The Dark, 79's The Clonus Horror, 79's Sunburn, 79's The Glove,
you could go on and on. Just an awesome character actor.
The critics hated this movie. The reviews bashed and tore
apart this film. Over the years it has garnered a cult following, and certain
horror fans enjoy the overall B-movie grade quality. I for one love the weird
and trippy film in all it’s over the top Satanic glory. Great classic makeup,
gore effects that make you remember it. Severin Films has fixed and created a
classic B-grade horror film and given an excellent new outlet.
Directed by Robert Fuest. Fuest was a great B-Grade horror
and suspense director that brought us, such Drive-in classics like, And Soon the
Darkness (1970), The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971), Dr. Phibes Rises Again
(1972), but to me it's The Devils Rain that truly stands out. Many fans of the
classic TV series, The Avengers will know him from directing 8 original
episodes, and directing 2 episodes of The New Avengers TV show. Sadly, it was
The Devil's Rain that most likely stopped his chances from directing anything worthier.
Critics really bashed and ripped apart The Devil's Rain.
Audio/Video:
My Rating: 5 out of 5
No flaw in this department. Absolutely stunning. I have seen this film on the big screen, on VHS, on DVD, on bootleg DVD and also on TV, this Blu-ray is stunning. It has never looked any better. A beautiful, brilliant job. A perfect transfer. Vibrant colors and crystal clear audio, creates a dynamic reality. Severin-Films did a job and then some. It's perfection.
Resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
Spanish: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
French: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
Extras:
My Rating: 5 out of 5
Priceless Extras. They really gave us perfection in this reality.
Audio Commentary with Director Robert Fuest
Confessions of Tom – Interview with Actor Tom Skerritt.
Running almost 11 minutes.
The Devil’s Makeup – Interview with Special FX Artist Tom
Burman. Running a little over 5 minutes.
1975 Archive Interview with Actor William Shatner. Running
almost 4 minutes.
First Stop Durango – Interview with Script Supervisor Ana
Maria Quintana. Running almost 15 minutes.
Consulting with the Devil – A Conversation with the High
Priest & High Priestess of the Church of Satan. Running a little over 10
minutes.
Hail Satan! – Interview with Anton LaVey Biographer Blanche
Barton. Running a little over 8 minutes.
Filmmaker / Horror Collector Daniel Roebuck on The Devil’s
Rain. Running 10 minutes and 33 seconds.
On Set Polaroid Gallery of Script Supervisor Ana Maria
Quintana. Running close to 8 minutes.
Radio Spots
Theatrical Trailer
TV Spots
Poster/Still Gallery. Running close to 8 minutes.
Also comes with a reversing slip insert.
Overall:
I really don't care what was said in the past and the
bashing and destruction of any hope of this film. I am a lover of Drive-In,
B-to-Z-grade films. I love cheesy horror films and The Devil's Rain is a
perfect Cult film with over the top perfection, that makes B-movies wonderful. Severin
Films brought out a perfect Blu-ray.
INFO:
Make sure you head over to https://severin-films.com/ to buy
all the wonderful Blu-rays. The main page that gives you these beautiful
releases on top quality Special Editions.
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