"Alucarda" Reviews/Discussion - 2017 Horror Challenge
#1
DVD Talk Legend
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Somewhere Hot Scoville Units: 9,999,999 Zodiac Sign: Capricorn
Posts: 12,259
Received 811 Likes
on
316 Posts
"Alucarda" Reviews/Discussion - 2017 Horror Challenge
Alucarda (1977) Selected by alyxstarr |
IMDB ENTRY
ALYXSTARR LINK
ALYXSTARR LINK ~ SPANISH LANGUAGE DUB
_______________________________________
These "October Horror Movie Challenge" threads are for the discussion of the films in the 31 FILM SUBSET list.
The plan is for everyone to watch this film on the October day in the thread title, and to start discussing it the morning of the following day.
You may start discussion early if you want, but the preferred plan is for this to be as much of a group exercise as possible, with all of us viewing it "together" and discussing after.
Of course, you are totally encouraged to participate in these threads even if you haven't watched the movie on the designated day.
Even if you haven't watched it in years, or are not participating in the Horror Challenge, please feel free to chime in.
Spoiler tags aren't always used in here, so if you have yet to see the film BEWARE OF POSSIBLE SPOILERS.
_______________________________________
S P O N S O R E D B Y | S P O N S O R E D B Y |
2017 DISCUSSION | 2017 LISTS
Last edited by Chad; 10-10-17 at 12:16 AM.
#2
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: "Alucarda" Reviews/Discussion - 2017 Horror Challenge
I'm sure this is intentional but I never could figure out why Alucarda is 'A Dracula' spelled backwards.
Alcudarda is such a bizzare combination of hammy overacting, religious satire, provocative imagery, sleaze, and low production values. I can't tell if the poor acting (especially the priest) is so awesomely satirical or just a happy accident. It is a little lurid that these girls are suppose to be 15 and the movie flaunts them sexually to such a degree. Exorcism with nudity and blood letting; definitely a far cry from William Peter Blatty. The world needs more 'pink with blood splatter' nuns (and what's with their strange in-fighting). The doctor who uses blood letting lectures the pink nuns of the importance of reason, nice. The casket of blood scene is top notch, when Alcudarda delivers it's imagery is some of the most surreal I've seen this month and the finale is nicely chaotic really delivering. Tina Romero has got one heck of a bug eyed gaze.
I think one of my favorite touches is the beginning that shows Alucarda's mother secreting her off after birth implying that her father is somehow evil, this suggests Alucarda is some sort of antichrist figure - here is one origin story that adds a lot more weight to the movie.
I remember being really impressed with a similar toned movie, Satantico Pandemico, I'll have to dig out my DVD for a rewatch soon.
Alcudarda is such a bizzare combination of hammy overacting, religious satire, provocative imagery, sleaze, and low production values. I can't tell if the poor acting (especially the priest) is so awesomely satirical or just a happy accident. It is a little lurid that these girls are suppose to be 15 and the movie flaunts them sexually to such a degree. Exorcism with nudity and blood letting; definitely a far cry from William Peter Blatty. The world needs more 'pink with blood splatter' nuns (and what's with their strange in-fighting). The doctor who uses blood letting lectures the pink nuns of the importance of reason, nice. The casket of blood scene is top notch, when Alcudarda delivers it's imagery is some of the most surreal I've seen this month and the finale is nicely chaotic really delivering. Tina Romero has got one heck of a bug eyed gaze.
I think one of my favorite touches is the beginning that shows Alucarda's mother secreting her off after birth implying that her father is somehow evil, this suggests Alucarda is some sort of antichrist figure - here is one origin story that adds a lot more weight to the movie.
I remember being really impressed with a similar toned movie, Satantico Pandemico, I'll have to dig out my DVD for a rewatch soon.
Last edited by Undeadcow; 10-17-17 at 02:14 PM.
#3
Re: "Alucarda" Reviews/Discussion - 2017 Horror Challenge
Haven't seen this one in a while but I remember liking it because of its Euro-Horror Franco/Rollin vibe. Still have the Mondo Macabro DVD will have to give it a spin soon.
#5
Challenge Guru & Comic Nerd
Re: "Alucarda" Reviews/Discussion - 2017 Horror Challenge
Watched about 30 minutes of it early this morning and gave up in disgust. Hated pretty much every aspect. Tried it again later and it grew on me a bit. Still not sure if I liked it, but it had some cool imagery.
#6
Senior Member
Re: "Alucarda" Reviews/Discussion - 2017 Horror Challenge
Fascinating film from mexico. It definitely pushes some boundaries. I couldn't take my eyes of the screen
#7
Member
Re: "Alucarda" Reviews/Discussion - 2017 Horror Challenge
Combination of vampire and witchcraft/satanic film. Even the Nuns and priests weren't all that mentally balanced. Hard to say if I liked it or not
#8
DVD Talk Legend
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Somewhere Hot Scoville Units: 9,999,999 Zodiac Sign: Capricorn
Posts: 12,259
Received 811 Likes
on
316 Posts
Re: "Alucarda" Reviews/Discussion - 2017 Horror Challenge
Oh yeah, that's just as batshit crazy as I remember it. Extremely atmospheric and some of the most beautiful set designs for that era of horror. It's really too bad about the negatives being lost; could've been a feast for the eyes on Blu-ray.
The gypsy hunchback reminded me a bit of Merde' from Holy Motors:
The gypsy hunchback reminded me a bit of Merde' from Holy Motors:
#9
DVD Talk Legend
Re: "Alucarda" Reviews/Discussion - 2017 Horror Challenge
me: Hey this chick playing Alucarda is pretty hot
(Alucarda lets strange bugs crawl all over her hand)
me:
Sure when Alucarda and her new female friend roll around in the grass it's sweet and friendly. When me and my buddy Steve do it it's 'inappropriate'
"Funerals frighten me."
Umm, why? The danger is all ready over. They all ready dead.
(Alucarda lets strange bugs crawl all over her hand)
me:
Sure when Alucarda and her new female friend roll around in the grass it's sweet and friendly. When me and my buddy Steve do it it's 'inappropriate'
"Funerals frighten me."
Umm, why? The danger is all ready over. They all ready dead.
#10
DVD Talk Legend
Re: "Alucarda" Reviews/Discussion - 2017 Horror Challenge
Alucarda: "I have never been in love with anyone, and never shall, unless it's you. You don't know how jealous I am, you must love me to DEATH."
Justine:
These girls just met and they're swearing a death pact? When I met my first college roommate our biggest commitment was going halves on a pizza.
The wheezing and groaning effects on the soundtrack are pretty creepy, but I'm positive they snuck a few fart noises in there as well.
Justine:
These girls just met and they're swearing a death pact? When I met my first college roommate our biggest commitment was going halves on a pizza.
The wheezing and groaning effects on the soundtrack are pretty creepy, but I'm positive they snuck a few fart noises in there as well.
#11
DVD Talk Legend
Re: "Alucarda" Reviews/Discussion - 2017 Horror Challenge
Wow. There isn't a normal character in this movie. Everybody is batshit crazy.
Anybody else hearing Paint it Black in the organ music during the exorcism?
Maybe I'm not the bravest man but after seeing Alucarda set the first person on fire with her mind I'd be like "I'm on your side, m'lady!"
Anybody else hearing Paint it Black in the organ music during the exorcism?
Maybe I'm not the bravest man but after seeing Alucarda set the first person on fire with her mind I'd be like "I'm on your side, m'lady!"
#12
DVD Talk Special Edition
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Not Every Man Really Lives
Posts: 1,282
Received 145 Likes
on
97 Posts
Re: "Alucarda" Reviews/Discussion - 2017 Horror Challenge
This was pretty interesting and these ladies were sure into the histrionics. Alucarda reminds me of another fallen nun story, but I can't really remember the name. I'm curious if these have some historical basis.
#13
DVD Talk Legend
Re: "Alucarda" Reviews/Discussion - 2017 Horror Challenge
I like how quickly the doctor went from "these are times of reason" to "we must cast out the devil!"
#14
Challenge Guru & Comic Nerd
Re: "Alucarda" Reviews/Discussion - 2017 Horror Challenge
Justine was cute and all, but to have two different nuns fall deathly in love with her ten minutes into her joining the convent made me think this was the R rated version of a lesbian porn film.
#16
DVD Talk Legend
Re: "Alucarda" Reviews/Discussion - 2017 Horror Challenge
edit: Maybe there was something fishy going on. I did think it was weird how Alucarda fell in love with Justine immediately after meeting her. Was Justine bewitching those women?
Last edited by DaveyJoe; 10-25-17 at 11:32 AM.
#17
#18
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: "Alucarda" Reviews/Discussion - 2017 Horror Challenge
That was a wild film. It was a hoot to watch. As I was watching it, I kept thinking about how many people this movie probably pissed off.
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Olympic Peninsula, Washington
Posts: 808
Received 232 Likes
on
161 Posts
Re: "Alucarda" Reviews/Discussion - 2017 Horror Challenge
I watched this a few days ago. I had a hard time getting into it at first because of the low production values. But despite that, there's some good stuff here. I thought the acting, especially from Alucarda, was quite good. Some of the set design, like the bloody-bandage-nuns-habits was interesting. Lots of nudity and eroticism. I like cult/satanic/religious themed horror, so I'm glad I saw this. But it pales compared to something like Ken Russel's The Devil's.
Not sure why Justine died from those little pin pricks, but okay.
Not sure why Justine died from those little pin pricks, but okay.