THE LORELEY'S GRASP

Revered for his unique marriage of Catholic horror imagery and rotting zombies, director Amando De Ossorio crafted in the wonderfully effective Blind Dead series an undeniably effective symbiosis of atmospheric terror, violence, and the supernatural. Never quite grasping hold of the energy, poetry, or lyricism that allowed him to invest his decrepit characters and settings for that series with such believability or suspense, he did manage to inject a small handful of other movies with his obvious love of storytelling. While nowhere in the same league as his Templer Knight epics, Loreley's Grasp is a worthy fright film in its own right, finding a unique and fetishistic identity in a scandalous combination of sexual frenzy and graphic violence. Capturing an age old legend with atmospheric zeal and erotic overtones, this surprisingly atmospheric foray into ancient legend and depravity combines effective exploitation staples (sex and violence) with an elegiac sense of the romantic. BCI's superb presentation makes it possible to truly appreciate this eccentric film -- one that both celebrates and defies classic horror film conventions.

More concerned with sensationalism, shocks, and action than subtle characterizations or a well written plot, Lorleley's Grasp has no problem grabbing hold of the viewer and force feeding him wonderfully sexist shots of nudity, hammy dialogue, and gratuitous violence. The story is a refreshing revision of an ancient spin on the Siren motif prevalent in Greek, Scandinavian, and German mythology. Ossorio approaches the authentic folklore of a hideous fem fatal half jokingly, imbuing it with psycho-sexual fantasies. The Loreley is a demonic manifestation of unrestrained emotion and hunger. This damsel isn't in distress, she causes it! Ravishing and illusive, she is as hungry and as seductive as she is antisocial, ripping and biting her way through a number of bleeding and thrashing bodies . . . while showing us a generous portion of her own. Legend has it that the legendary siren has lurked in the grotto beneath the river Rhein in Germany for centuries. Every now and then, when the moon is full, her reptilian body hungers for human blood. When several girls from a local boarding school are killed, a hunter by the name of Sirgurd follows her trail, housing near an all girl boarding school. Amidst a begrudging relationship with the frigid school mistress and more killings, Sirgurd becomes captivated by a semi nude woman who comes and goes like a phantom, leading in a provocative finale complete with shed blood, clothing, and taste . . . in this case a good thing, as every frame is bleeding with a tragically sentimental yet sublime feeling.

Capturing this lyrical marriage between beauty and despair, legend and psychological realism with exploitative fervour, director Ossorio makes up for a lack of plot coherence with poetic imagery and boldly captured storms of gratuitous chest ripping and bodice heaving. While not as haunting or effective as Night of the Sorcerers, the set-pieces and carnal atmosphere of this flesh feast number among the genre's more disturbing, smacking of carnality and sense of nightmare. This is an enchanting dark dream of primal desires and terrors, captured with an undeniable sense of the morosely attractive. Uncanny eye candy, this strangely compelling dance of death and desire stays true to its source material in tone if not always in literal plot. Ossoria obviously makes the material conform to his tastes, yet he essentially retains the Germanic sense of doom laden love and sensationalism that made the original legends so very moving.

A freak show and proud of it, this wet dream of decadence and demons satisfies in the same way that a carnival does, rushing you towards the freak tent. Despite obvious problems with the plot, structure, and performances, Loreley's Grasp satisfies as both a pot-boiler and occasionally more profound poem of larger than life passions. Appealing to the most primal and animalistic of our desires and fears, the score, surreal mood, and lush locations captured by the roving camera make death look almost attractive. This is all heightened by an unconscious sense of parody and unerring stream of eroticism. More concerned with the cosmic archetypal patterns of myth and atmosphere than story believability or realism, this midnight movie throbs with the resonance of both a fairy tale and adult tragedy -- without ever disowning its debt to good old fashioned exploitation. A minor triumph by a distinctive talent!

BCI continues to wow connoisseurs of rare and unjustly ignored worldwide horror and cult cinema. Loreley's Grasp is just another prime example of the dedication which the company brings to these dark gems. Attractive in packaging and presentation, the film itself looks and sounds wonderful. Featured in anamorphic widescreen at an aspect ratio of 1.85:1, the transfer is very attractive without any noticeable problems with excessive grain or damage. Colors are bold and clean, adding to the otherworldly feeling prevalent throughout the film. Audio is featured in both Castilian (with English Subs) and an English dubbed track. While both do the job with no serious flaws, the original language track is the preferred way in which to watch the movie.

Extras are scare compared to the wealth of supplemental material included in the Naschy releases but enjoyable nonetheless. An original theatrical Trailer smacks of exploitation savvy, full of color and thrills. The Spanish Credit Sequence is a nice if not indispensable addition, followed by a generous Photo and Stills Gallery. Mirek Lipinski's Liner Notes are as informative as ever, exploring the film's history, Ossorio's intentions, and details behind the production in an attractive booklet.

Review by William P. Simmons