Rendezvous zum fröhlichen Tod

A family moves into an old "fixer-upper" mansion in the middle of nowhere. Strange things begin to happen almost immediately, in the form of bizarre "accidents". One night, the teenage daughter, Sophie (Yasmine Dahm) walks in on her amorous parents, causing her to storm off, and windows to shatter for no apparent reason. More incidents occur, more glass breaks, and the mystery deepens. Is the house haunted? Is Sophie possessed? Both? Events get increasingly incredible, including killer kitchen appliances!

Before long, a TV station is interested in filming in the house. The skeptical crew sets up, and the real fun begins!

EXPULSION OF THE DEVIL is a fantastic French horror film that simply must have influenced everything from Stephen King's CARRIE (book and movie), to Kubrick's version of THE SHINING, to POLTERGEIST, to PARANORMAL ACTIVITY, to THE CONJURING 1 and 2, to God knows what else! This is, of course, circular, since this movie was obviously influenced by other hauntings and ghost stories.

NOTE: All would-be makers of so-called "found footage" films should watch this before proceeding.

Special mention must be made of young Ms. Dahm, who never made another movie, though she carried this one with ease!...

Au Rendez-Vous de la Mort Joyeuse was the directorial debut of Juan Bunuel, son of Luis. It was a most auspicious debut and one can only wonder what has kept Bunuel minor from the eyes of discerning film fans. This is an unusual, slowly paced, but deeply disturbing horror film that delves into some very dark corners of the human psyche. A prime candidate for rediscovery on DVD.

Eerie French horror movie with the vague ending of most French new wave movies. To me the most notable thing is to see a young and thin Gerard Depardieu go nuts. The movie takes awhile to build atmosphere but once the researchers show up, that's when the creepiness begins. The makers of "Poltergeist" had to be influenced by this movie. The main problem of the film is that nothing is ever explained or wrapped up. With my ghost stories I like to know why. As with most haunted house movies, the house is the best character. A mild shocker.

I saw this movie in its German version on TV when I was about 19 yrs old. The time to watch a movie (which you do not know absolutely), especially a horror movie, was optimal - as it was late at night. I did not have any idea that the TV broadcast such a disturbing film ever and expected just any entertainment but... Goodness, I was shaken with horror and probably did hardly sleep that night, at least left the lights on to have a short nap. This movie may prove slow and yet inflicts the deepest surprise with horror far beyond the Hollywood makings. It is a genius film, absolutely underestimated and obviously hard to get or even see. Since 30 (!!!) years I have tried to get hold of it since but did not succeed. Worth watching absolutely!

Directing debut for Juan Bunuel, son of revered filmmaker Luis Bunuel, is a disturbing but hollow, unsatisfying thriller about a haunted house in the French countryside. Married couple with two kids move into the dilapidated manor, and are rather slow to discover there are spirits afoot and they want the humans out. Film wasn't exhibited Stateside for years, though one can imagine Steven Spielberg seeing this and getting the idea for his production "Poltergeist"; the films share similar story points, though this one has no humorous undermining. Some spooky moments and a haunting finale can't really make it worthwhile. Ultimately, it's just a little too heavy and dense. *1/2 from ****