The Red Monks [DVD] [1988]

The Red Monks is no exception, with a plot that makes little sense, but a fantastically creepy atmosphere throughout. Indeed, while this film does not scare as such, it is genuinely creepy in places, which is something that is sadly lacking in many horror films.

As always, Fulci's vision for this film, and his direction of it are as much the main stars as the actors are. He is aided in this film by some very talented cameramen, resulting in inventive and tense shots and angles throughout the film.

In a slight departure from his usual style, Fulci opts to leave more to the imagination than he usually would, with most killings happening out of our view, otherwise being short and sharp, rather than savouring the violence, as he often tends to do.

My only criticism here is in the plot. The first five minutes of this film are completely unnecessary, and bear very little relation to the rest of the film. While the main body of the film is fantastic, the ending is, sadly, a little disappointing. It feels as if Fulci had just run out of ideas for this movie by the time he reached the end.

However, this is still an excellent film if you are a fan of this sort of horror, but, being a Fulci film, it will not be for everyone. If you like other Fulci films, or have enjoyed films such as The Masque Of The Red Death, or Flavia The Heretic, then this is definitely worth a watch. If you like your films action packed with half the budget spent on explosions, then this will probably bore you. It is for a select few.

The plot is impossible to summarize, as it makes no sense whatsoever. In present day Italy a young man returns to his ancestral home. He meets an old lady covered is black playing the violin. She mutters some nonesense then goes, whilst the young man goes into the house. He sees a naked woman carrying a sword and follows her. He ends up in the 'hidden and mysterious' dungeon of the house. He is then decapitated by the naked woman.

The story then flashes back twenty years to explain this not-very shocking event. At least, that is what I guess the intention was, as everything from here in is completely nonesensical. The original owner of the house marries a woman, but he his beholden to a group called the Red Monks (why?), who live in his house (!), who tell him to save his new wife's virginity (why??). While this is going on the new wife wonders around the skimpy set looking for clues, and only finds out that she is walking through the same room time and again to save money.

The climax, which I won't give away, is one of the worst things I have ever seen. It wouldn't be so bad if there was some camp Ed Wood type fun to be had from the proceedings. When the film finished me and my friends sat around with blank looks on our faces. We did try to comprehend some of it, but it was a waste of time. Pretty much like this film - but the film also has the disadvantage of being a waste of money too.