trashgang
Running through some old horror magazines I came across this title. I was rather surprised by the big names in it and the fact that it isn't a popular flick. So it has to deal with some problems.We're running late in the eighties and by then horror wasn't that popular anymore. The slashers were passé and every item they could use to make a horror they used. Here are some names that should attract a lot of attention. Ned Beatty was in it, one we knew from so many flicks but to name one classic, Deliverance (1072), also on the list was Hal Holbrook (Magnum Force 1972 or The Fog 1980). Trevor Howard in one of his last flicks, he died in 1988, we knew him from Ghandi (1982). So really good thespians but were they failed was the fact that they aren't shown that much. On the other hand the movie do deliver at some points but also has some weak parts. There are some parts were there is a bit too much of nothing going on but the mast ten minutes are worth watching. And the first part is also worth mentioning because it is sometimes a bit gory. The demon is played by Nicole Fortier who only appeared in two flicks, Scared Stiff (1987) and this one. She was running in her nudies all through this flick and even has some full frontal nudity. It's weird that she vanished from the screen after this flick, she really had a good looking face. But don't forget to watch the effects and that's what make sit also worth watching. No CGI, this is the real stuff. There are indeed some gory parts with someone hanging upside down on a cross and having his intestines hanging out. Once the priest is having his confrontation with the demon it's also worth watching but the monster itself looks a bit ridiculous for that time. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it a lot, okay here and there a small yawn but overall worth watching. Gore 2/5 Nudity 2/5 Effects 4/5 Story 3/5 Comedy 0/5
Vomitron_G
A religiously themed late 80's horror outing about a priest who finds out that an ancient demon (disguised as a gorgeous & sensual woman) has been killing his predecessors. Now he's next on the list. Occasional flashes of mild bloody gore and some nudity couldn't save the otherwise slow and boring development of events. The most fun parts where the scene where a guy pukes gallons of blood and the final confrontation with a nifty-looking demon (guy-in-a-rubbersuit-style) with his two demonoid dwarfs in the church. That's why I gave the movie an extra point. And well, there's far worse 80's horror nonsense out there, anyway.
John Bevan (trali)
I saw this originally back around 1990 or so back when Rhonda Shear was running the B Movie Friday Night show called "USA Up All Night." (Gilbert Gottfried did it on Saturdays.) USA Network, of course, butchered this film for "length and content" but I still found it to be a great film. Sure, it is not anything like the Omen series or the Resident Evil trilogy but it is a great movie for what it is.It is a shame that the hot redhead ended her acting career (apparently) after this movie. She was in one movie before this and nothing again.As I type this review, The Unholy is being aired on the Chiller Network. Only time will tell how much was cut out of it, as I am sure that they will not show it without editing.
darnmay
The Unholy (1988)Released in 1988, The Unholy is a cut above the average good v evil story. Indeed there has been other less entertaining films that have gone down the same road. Directed by Camilo Vila, not really a well known name as directors go, who doesn't do too bad a job. The experienced actors, bringing their skills to this film, no doubt help to achieve this.Ned Beatty- a well know supporting actor- who appeared in such films as Deliverance and Superman. Ben Cross- in many films and TV episodes. Hal Holbrook a winner of 4 Emmy awards. Trevor Howard. Well remembered for his performance in Brief Encounter, had a small part in this film, which sadly, was his last. He died in January 1988The film follows the well-used format of a Priest fighting evil which manifests in his church. The church establishment, as usual, tries to hush up the whole affair. A well used format, but with this film it works a little better than some others. The priest's initial scepticism is gradually eroded as he realises that evil does exist in a tangible form. It is not just in people's thoughts, including his own, which he struggles to overcome. The final scenes, however, are not helped by the manifestation of the evil force in its true form.But we have to remember this was 1988. CGI was not the order of the day. So the film's shortcomings must be seen in that context.Thanks to the British Censor releasing the film uncut for its video/DVD release in 2001, we are able to view the film as originally made To protect us 10 seconds had been removed from the original cinema release in 1988, although their records do not indicate which 10 seconds. If you give this film an airing, which I thoroughly recommend, perhaps you will guess.Darnmay7th September 2007
AD
