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Post by Dramatic Look Gopher on Jul 4, 2020 16:21:22 GMT
DEVIL DOG--THE HOUND OF HELL 1978 One of the greatest of all tv-movies, I had occasionally thought of it but decided to finally check out again after decades. Everything about it screams 1970s--you have Richard Crenna pre-Rambo as well as Yvette Mimieux and the two kids from the Witch Mountain films. Then you also have Martine Beswick as the head of a devil cult who wants to buy a dog to breed demon puppies, which she then gives to R.G. Armstrong who was also in a demon cult in Race With the Devil. The early scenes of the demon puppy killing people is more funny than scary, but I really admire how a film like this treats total BS scenarios with complete seriousness. Crenna goes to a doctor to confess he feels alienated from his family thanks to their dog. The family worships a picture of a three eyed devil they painted in blood that is on their attic wall. Finally Crenna goes to Victor Jory for help in confronting the demon. For 1970s effects the look of the devil dog is pretty cool too-been decades but I still remembered it. I'm a fan of Devil Dog as well and I own the Media Blasters DVD, which has surprisingly good picture quality. I also like the fact that a movie with such a dumb plot takes itself so seriously; sometimes that can actually work in a movie's favor. But inspite of all the silliness, Devil Dog does have its creepy moments. The black mass ritual is quite eerie, as is the part when Crenna sees the reflection of his daughter in the mirror and realizes her soul has been possessed. You're absolutely right about it screaming 1970s. It addressed some of the issues going on at that time, like the decline in family values and even corruption in politics (I believe the son's unethical victory of being elected class president may be an allegory for the Nixon administration). |
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