Sisters of Death

"Sisters of Death" has a fairly simple plot. Five women and two men are stuck on the property of a crazed father intent on revenge for his daughters death seven years earlier by a sorority initiation gone wrong. It's not a bad movie but it's a bit too plain and simple. There is no imagination used in the way the houseguests are killed. For those looking for blood and guts, there is none. There are hints of possible nude scenes but that never develops. Just teasers for those looking for nudity. Pretty tame stuff. I don't see any problem with kids watching this. There is no gore or nudity in this film. It is a bit sad to see the young female stereotype. The girls play the old helpless and stupid role a bit too much for me. Although they know they are in danger they go around doing the dumbest things. It's as though they want to get killed. Gee, what can I do next to put me in danger? "Sisters of Death" is an OK low budget drama with a touch of mystery and a little twist for the end. Something to watch when there isn't anything better to do. It's nothing special or anything to go out of your way to view but not a total waste either.

A handful of years before "Halloween", "Friday the 13th" and other movies that claim to have started the slasher-genre, there was "Sister of Death"… More than a decade before sorority-themed slashers like "House on Sorority Row" etc, there was… "Sisters of Death"! This movie was even shot (not released, though) before "Black Christmas", and that classic horror film is more or less regarded to as the granddaddy of ALL crazy murderers on the loose flicks! Then why doesn't this movie enjoy the status of a genre milestone? Well, quite simply because it's crappy! Immensely entertaining…but nevertheless crappy! Seven years after that dreadful, life-ruining evening where a group of sorority babes accidentally killed their newest member (guns aren't toys, ladies!), the five remaining members all receive invitations to a reunion. They all go, even though it's unclear who invited them, and end up in an isolated mansion in the middle of nowhere. It doesn't take long before they meet their killer, who turns out to be the revengeful father of the murdered girl. Simple, straightforward plot and five incredibly sexy female leads! How on earth could this go wrong? Well, due to some really poor plotting, a total lack of continuity and weak directing, Joseph Mazzuca still somehow managed to mess it all up! This is the type of movie in which dumb characters do incredibly stupid things for absolutely no reason, so they pretty much all deserve to die. There are occasional flashes of sheer tension, but even more imbecility and lameness. And, like another reviewer already pointed out, there's should at least have been some nudity. What's the point of casting nothing but gorgeous sorority coeds if they're not taking their tops off? Stay clear, unless you're a fan of low-budget and forgotten 70's trash.

B-grade thriller has a bizarre sisterhood initiation that involves a Russian roulette round that ends in tragedy when one of the débutantes is executed. Seven years later the surviving members are summoned to a reunion at an isolated mansion. Despite the welcoming party, they soon discover that the fun and games are just beginning, and they're unlikely to ever leave.

Paul Carr and Joe E.Tata co-star as a pair of hired chauffeurs who inadvertently become stranded with the girls when the fence surrounding the compound is electrified; Tata went on to become a minor celebrity of sorts twenty years later in "Beverly Hills 90210". Playboy playmate, Clauida Jennings is 'ample' in her leading role, but she's somewhat overshadowed by her co-stars Boucher (a one-time Mrs George Peppard) and Howell in particular. Veteran Arthur Franz acts with restraint, though his role is largely confined to peering through door cracks, and making homemade bullets for his gatling gun.

Mildly suspenseful with a couple of chuckles, the plot contrivances are weak and the pace laboured for the lack of material, but still, there's an undeniable b-movie quality that prevails. If you're not too discerning and are familiar with the cast, you should find enough here to keep you entertained.

This PG-rated see-how-they-die thriller reunites five sorority sisters seven years after the death of a fellow pledge during a hazing ritual gone terribly wrong. Responding to anonymous invitations to gather at an isolated desert villa, the girls soon learn the day of judgement is at hand - and begin to die one by one.

Made in 1972, but not released until 1978, SISTERS OF DEATH is a passable time killer, but lacks interesting characterizations, thrilling setpieces or the trademark extremes that made drive-in going such a singular thrill. With a film like Bava's BAY OF BLOOD pulling out all the stops, SISTERS OF DEATH is just too tame. Still, the cast is game; check out Claudia Jennings (former Playboy Playmate of the Year), Arthur Franz (MONSTER ON CAMPUS) and Joe Tata (the wistful frycook on TV's "Beverly Hills 90210).

Five women, who were once members of a secret sorority, are invited to a lavish ranch in a remote area north of Los Angeles. It seems like a celebratory reunion until things turn deadly. What's going on and who's responsible?

"Sisters of Death" was shot in 1972, but not released until 1976-77. It starts off as an occult-oriented flick involving beautiful women, but morphs into a sorta Ten Little Indians situation with elements that would influence the forthcoming slasher craze, just don't expect a lot of gore.

The highlight is the five women, played by Claudia Jennings (Judy), Sherry Boucher (Diana), Roxanne Albee (Penny), Sherry Alberoni (Francie) and Cheri Howell (Sylvia). You would think that Claudia Jennings would win out on the beauty front, but actually Sherry Boucher and Roxanne Albee surpass her (Boucher is, interestingly, a Jennings lookalike). Elizabeth Bergen is also on hand as Elizabeth in a small role.

While there's no Starsky and Hutch, as amusingly suggested, the two guys sure are reminiscent of them (that particular TV series wouldn't debut until a few years after this flick was shot). It's somewhat similar to "The Beast Must Die" (1974), just without the werewolf angle. Like that movie, not enough focus is put on fleshing out the characters, which makes them uninteresting and this isn't helped by the one-dimensional location.

The entire mid-section of the flick is relatively dull, but things perk up in the end with a twist or two.

The movie runs 1 hour, 27 minutes, and was shot in Paso Robles, California, which is about 200 miles north of Los Angeles.

GRADE: C.