Das Zeichen

Probably the first dutch horror movie I've ever seen, and I didn't even feel cheated or annoyed. The title revers to the 7 unknown brothers Emalee Lucas has. These brothers are being kept in a mental institution after having killed several other kids when they were 7 years old. One day they escape (probably the most stupid part of the movie) as they have to impregnate their sister according to some old myth...

Pretty cheap as you would expect, but not as bad as it sounds. A gutsy attempt by the director of Evenings to make it work and decent acting by Herdigein, Van de Ven and in particular by the young De la Bretoniere, who hasn't really been showing up the last couple of years.

6/10.

Never read any reviews of this movie, until I called it up today. I'd thought it was fairly obscure until Anchor Bay put it out. (Never seen their version.) Had mine for years. Surprised by all the complaints about the dubbing, it's never a problem on mine. I have always liked this one, it's not the usual pile of cliches. It does try very hard to lose it's national character, and could easily pass for some more European origin. the acting is good, but seems stilted by some odd relationships, and a tendency towards cliche in some of the more minor parts. The payoff on the ancient ritual is played like most slasher films, but is elevated slightly by the backstory. And the image of the preserved Xangadix fetus in amber, is rather haunting in the conclusion. Probably aimed at an American audience, but possibly a bit much for some crowds. It's not everybody's cup of fungus, but it isn't bad.

This Dutch variation on the Native American legend also used in the William Girdler film, 'The Manitou', is very often better, and in a few spots worse. Never marketed as in any way related to or inspired by Manitou, nonetheless several involved in the film have stated that the Girdler film was partly inspirational for 'The Johnsons', yet the films are different enough to maintain a distance.

If you see both, you will see the similarities easily enough, such as the names Manitou vs Manixou, and the whole Native American legend of the demonic god who initially appears as a fetus.

This variation is extremely promising most of the way through the film. There's a very nicely developed plot line with a mystery involving 7 brothers who are mute psychopathic murderers. They are under some sort of spell to search for a sister with the end result being the birth of the demonic god. I won't give away more to the story, except to say it is a well-done sequence of suspenseful events.

Up to the ending, this variation is better than Girdler's Manitou, yet the ending here deflates all of the great buildup. It's the weakest moment in the whole film, and ends in a abrupt and rather silly manner. It's too bad, for everything up to this point is fine. In this respect, the ending to Girdler's Manitou is much better and if I had to choose between the two, the nod goes to Girdler by a very small margin.

This is a real Dutch treat for horror fans.. not. I bought this film after reading some internet hype about it. The only cool thing about this movie is the little frozen fertility dude, and even then you only get to see him briefly. The black professor and his father really suck and the dad is especially stupid and unfunny. The seven bros story is made weak by a script that feels only half complete. The most glaring weakness that shows that they needed filler material is a long retarded scene about finding a file in a hospital. Stay away from the horror genre you crazy dutch ! Just kidding man, but seriously some good ideas get drowned in bad acting, filler material.. the result is a long mentos commercial of pure sucktitude. This is a really bad, really slow, really boring flick. I love horror and I know my horror from cult to cheese to giallo to the elite films and this movie blows. One star out of Four.

I have watched a lot of movies in my time, but this, by far, is the single most HORRIBLE movie I have EVER watched. The Audio is not in synch with the lip movements in the LEAST. It's like a bad Godzilla movie! Not to mention the fact that the "gore" is not realistic, and the main villains whole course of action is to dress as potatoes. I watched this with a group of friends at a party and we, as a group, made so much fun of this movie it seemed to be an episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000! Without "spoiling" the movie for anyone reading this--and if you consider seeing it, do yourself a favor and watch it in a group so you can laugh together--the entire movie centers around men dressed as potatoes. Save yourself the two hours and stay FAR, FAR away from this movie!!!!