Il plenilunio delle vergini

Unlike the only other reviewer of this title, I thought this was quite terrific. Actually I was amazed at how good it is.

My overall impression was of a film that had a Hammer vibe, with a couple twists - the twists being more blood (though there's not a tremendous amount), and more overt nudity (several topless shots).

Other than that it is as good - and silly - as Hammer vampire flicks of the day. Sure the plot is a bit daft, the whole thing turns on possession of an ancient ring, but what do you expect from a vampire film of this era? It didn't matter to me at all.

The copy I saw was from tape, so the quality wasn't great. Never mind though, seeing it was better than missing out.

As for the previously mentioned "lesbian" sequences, they're tame, and along the lines of the classic Hammer film "The Vampire Lovers".

So, if you're a Hammer fan who doesn't mind a slight Euro influence on the ambiance, then this is a film you simply must seek out. I think it's terrific and would buy a remastered edition in a heart beat.

This movie has as much life as the Countess's zombie housekeeper. Even Rosalba Neri's hot body couldn't get things exciting. But. then the housekeeper (Rosalba Neri) bathes the Countess in hot blood, and it gets a little steamier.

But, the real deal in this Italian classic is Dracula's ring. With it, the Countess summons young maidens from the village to fulfill her needs. She is a real hero to me in that she doesn't seek power or glory or riches, just young maidens to frolic with before she drinks and bathes in their blood. Bwa ha ha ha. And it's not just a single serving for the Countess, she orders in a five-pack, then does the funky chicken, and, voilà, 10 perfect breasts, extra spicy Italian-style. Yum.

Now, she must just avoid the evil Herr Schiller (Mark Damon), who wants to take her hand for his own purposes.

They don't make them like this anymore.

It's a European horror movie from the '70s and has what you'd expect it would: a fairly predictable premise that alters the standard scenario a bit, slow pacing that adds to the tension, creepy supporting characters, and some vague reason for adding sexual content. This movie is not very interesting except as an example of a period piece that is heavily stylized.

The kind of movie one has to not think about, just sit back and enjoy the lush visuals, and abundant nudity. Great looking topless girls in this Euro shocker/ sex flick, about Dracula's oversized joke shop ring, with a red amulet almost as large as girl's hand, and the various people are hoping to possess it. Film is kind of like an old Hammer Horror, with a bit more graphic sex and nudity: beautiful lesbian vampire lures young girls to castle to frolic with them, then offers them as sacrifices to the devil.

Several sequences are devoted to prowling through the old castle, to show off the film's well done sets and eerie lighting and smoke effects. Several scenes are devoted to showing off the female cast members' ample tits. Both held my attention.

Good fight between Shiller and vampire ghoul, defeated by a stake driven through his heart and a fall out a window, but mostly just an excuse for atmospherics and nudity.

Il Plenlunio delle vergini (THE DEVIL'S WEDDING NIGHT) is probably only interesting as a late example of Italian Gothic horror. By 1973 most Italian horror films were following in the footsteps of Alfred Hitchcock and Argento's giallos (eg. THE BIRD WITH THE CRYSTAL PLUMMAGE, 1970), including those of the original gothic filmmakers, Riccardo Freda (THE IGUANA WITH THE TONGUE OF FIRE, 1971) and Mario Bava (HATCHET FOR THE HONEYMOON, 1970 and BAY OF BLOOD, 1971). Also of interest to cult and horror film buffs, the film was photographed by Italy's (probably inferior) equivalent of Jess Franco, Joe D'Amato. Other than that, this film has little to recommend for it. The photography is a mediocre homage to NOSFERATU, the sets pale in comparison to those of earlier gothic horror films (for example, Bava's BLACK SUNDAY), the story is dull and inconsistent, the nude scenes are neither necessary nor particularly erotic, and the atmosphere is less-than-spooky when it isn't unintentional comical. They don't make 'em like this anymore, and we should be thankful for it.