Rojo Sangre

This is the only recent Paul Naschy film I have viewed (the credit sequence resolves itself in a succession of snapshots showing him made-up for his earlier pictures); to a large extent, it seems to have been enthusiastically received by fans and I liked it quite a bit myself (albeit with some reservations I will get to later). We have here an intriguing premise with the star (as always penning the script himself) ideally cast as a has-been thespian in search of work but clearly out-of-touch with the times; in fact, he is reduced to accepting "humiliating" odd-jobs such as doorman (under the guise of many a notorious historical figure) to a stag club owned by one Reficul (try reading that backwards) or directing snuff movies and, in the very opening scene, hilariously claims to get his sexual kicks nowadays by stuffing a rat enclosed in a condom through his rectum! Eventually, Naschy snaps and goes on a killing spree, targeting people from the industry who had either snubbed him or whom he believes forsake art for commerce; in this respect, Reficul's gift of a cane concealing a Japanese rapier inside comes in mighty handy! Unfortunately, the plot during the latter stages becomes increasingly muddled: Naschy finds out about his boss' identity (his transsexual assistant, then, is really Beelzebub!), with the latter explaining to him that with the signed contract he had given away his soul; cornered by the Police, he is shot and presumably killed; cut to a "Murillo" awards ceremony with the winner emerging to be a candidate whose seat is presently vacant…but then he turns up, at first with his back to the camera, and ultimately revealed to be an aged Naschy under a different name (apparently, he survived and has had a career renaissance in the interim – his talents vindicated at long last – thanks to the Devil's doing)! Typical of today's horror cinema, we get a flat-ugly look which does the film no favors at all – not to mention flashy technique (believing this is enough to give the whole a semblance of style but actually rendering it somewhat amateurish!) and copious gore (including a particularly repellent dismemberment). A mixed bag, then, but Naschy's weathered features, sensitive performance and knowing critique of the profession – plus a decent score – are enough to redress the balance and make the ride worthwhile for seasoned genre fans.

Paul Naschy, star of an innumerable amount of Spanish exploitation classics (including the "Hombre-Lobo" cycle) returns in this wondrously bizarre and imaginative film that premiered at the International Festival of Fantasy Films. I'm pretty convinced that "Rojo Sangre" won't be very successful and that's a damn shame because it finally is a truly odd and eccentric Spanish horror effort again, and the fans have seen far too few of these recently. The premise is a variant on the legendary "Faust" tale but, as much as every other aspect in this film, it's a very VERY demented take on Goethe's classic story. Naschy shines as the veteran actor-in-low-water Pablo Thevenet. He despises the young generation of actors and actresses for being untalented and he's frustrated about the fact that new and arrogant casting directors don't know him. Desperate for work, he accepts a job as a living sculpture in a fancy brothel ran by extravagant people. But something seems to have snapped in Pablo's head and he starts a violent killing spree, focusing on those who were responsible for artistic downfall. The plot really gets complex when Pablo's employers turn out to be unworldly and ultimately messed up. The story doesn't make much sense half of the time (and the other half is downright confusing) but still you love what you see because it's so vivid and nostalgic. You fancy yourself back into the glorious days of euro-exploitation and that's a feeling I personally missed enormously. "Rojo Sangre" features a lot of old-fashioned sleaze, good music and adorably insane characters (a transsexual business lady or a millionaire snuff-fanatic, anyone??). The dialogues are exceptionally well-written and the cinematography is astonishingly beautiful!It actually doesn't look leak a cheap exploitation film at all, as the camera-work is ingenious and the visuals are very creative. The gore and make-up effects aren't as outrageous as I expected (or hoped!) them to be, but there certainly are a couple of marvelous gruesomeness-highlights, including nasty images of a cut up corpse, multiple stabbings and professionally slit throats! Despite the devastating material, the screenplay also makes room for genuine black comedy and a couple of very comical anecdotes. The film opens with one, when Pablo gives a detailed description of his bizarre sexual fetish! That sequence is hilarious and you already consider "Blood Red" a success before it even properly begun! Paul Naschy is brilliant as Pablo Thevenet (it might even be his best performance ever) and maybe that's because he really feels related to his character's situation. No worries Paul, I can assure you that the godly Paul Naschy is still worshiped by a limited group of cult-lovers! Watch "Blood Red" when you've got the chance!

One of the great Spanish horror actors, Paul Naschy plays the role of Pablo Thevenet as if it is autobiographical, and it may very well be.

He is washed up as an actor. Current directors want only pretty faces and lots of silicone. He lands a job as a doorman that allows him to use his prodigious talents as he was meant to.

It is obvious that Pablo is entering a deal with the devil, but when the devil's assistant looks as good as Bibiana Fernández (Almodovar's Matador & his La Ley del Deseo), who cares? Apparently Pablo had some unpleasant experiences in life besides his downward fall as an actor and he snaps. This is where the horror begins. He is to spill blood copiously to get revenge.

Christian Molina, in his first directorial project has managed to give us a new view of horror in a very stylized way, almost as good as Argento. I am looking forward to seeing his other films.

Paul Naschy for years was among the top John Belushi look alikes in the world. He of course was also a big horror star in Spain and re-edited versions of his best known werewolf films played on chiller theater TV packages as I, and many other horror fans grew up. Most of the stars of 60's horror films are gone sadly and now that horror films are again very popular they aren't around to enjoy a final film. Christopher Lee of course is alive and well, but has so far "only" been in non horror films during this new interest. Vincent Price was in some films for Tim Burton, but these too were small parts in non genre films. And lets not think too hard back a few years to Bela Lugosi going on working for Ed Wood or those last few lousy Boris Karloff Mexican productions.

So congratulations to Paul Naschy for being in what is a very creative horror film and showing that he's a better actor and still a very cutting edge writer all these years later. This is a slick film, gruesome and creative on many levels. It's a good and or better than anything he's ever been in or made. Though he's playing a character somewhat like himself, a former horror icon, there is little trace of self consciousness in his performance.

Naschy had recently been in two American Horror films, but let's admit that they are two lousy films from two lousy filmmakers. He also had a fun small role in a not so bad Spanish film SCHOOL KILLER a few years ago. But for him in his native land to get this film made,let alone for it to be a good film, it's just well almost unheard of triumph.

There is little nostalgia in my thoughts towards this film. It stands on it's own even if you aren't a Naschy fan, or if you think of him as sort of a camp figure from the past. If you haven't heard of him this would be a great introduction.

Most actors could only wish for a comeback film like this in any genre. Let's hope this isn't the final film for Naschy because he shows he's still got it in him to do cutting edge horror.

Pablo Thevenet (Paul Naschy) is a once famous actor now humiliatingly reduced to trying (and failing) to get bit parts in third rate films. That is until he makes a Faustian pack. One actually wonders if Paul Naschy was acting: it all feels like it might have been too close to personal experience. That gives the film a particularly edgy feeling.

Bibi Fernandez has real presence as Beelzebub. It would have been good if she'd had more of a role. Visually the film is let down by the nasty modern aesthetic which makes it feel like a TV movie. Also I think the snuff movie sequence felt a bit off-key and didn't feel fit with the tone of the rest of the film.