La terrificante notte del demonio

I found this movie when I was shopping at Sam Goody. It was on the Nightmares From the Crypt boxed set. What I expected was a crappy, badly dubbed 70s horror film. Instead, I watched a beautifully photographed, and demented horror film. I LOVED the music score! It was absolutely riveting! It managed to build up an atmosphere of dread and foreboding. The lady who played the succubus was just stunning, and the make-up she wore and her performance frightened me. I didn't care too much for the other characters in the film, however. They just seemed one-dimensional and cardboard. I recommend anyone who has respect for Eurohorror films to pick this up, it's quite a rare treat. However, keep this one away from the young ones. It's features a few sexual scenes that were "bold" for it's time, and some disturbing death scenes. Check it out. 9/10.

Movies such as "The Devil's Nightmare" are exactly the type of cinematic smut I live for! It's got everything to magically conjure a gigantic smile on the face of every slightly deranged horror/cult/exploitation fanatic. There's bad & incoherent plotting, macabre set-pieces, a mild Gothic atmosphere, demented characters, shocking themes, lousy gore effects and – not to forget – authentically gratuitous lesbian sex! This Belgian/Italian co-production (love the combination since I myself am Belgian and Italy is my favorite movie-making country) is messed up beyond proportions and describing the essence of the plot would take up at least a couple of pages, so I won't go too much into detail. Let's just say the main storyline revolves on an ancient family curse that turns every first born daughter of the Von Rhoneberg generation into a succubus (= female servant of the devil), and a group of tourists stranded at the family castle are just in time to "celebrate" the devilish pact's 700th anniversary. Furthermore, the baron practices alchemy in his basement, there are Nazi child-executions, a gruesome murder story for every room in the castle, the random torture of cats in the attic, negotiations between a priest and the devil himself and a wide variety of shlocky massacres. A lot of the on screen events don't make sense, and there's no building up suspense whatsoever, but it has to be said that the screenplay does also feature a couple of ingenious and rather clever elements. For example, the Succubus (a luscious Erica Blanc) makes sure that every tourist's death symbolizes his or her biggest sin, whether it's greed, unfaithfulness, curiosity … The killings are very nasty, though hardly scary, and follow each other at an incredible pace, barely allowing you the time to wipe the sinister grin off your face. And if all that isn't enough just yet, wait till you witness the far out climax sequence. Oh yes, "The Devil's Nightmare" is pretty bad… So bad it's freaking brilliant! Easily one of the most entertaining European exploitation movies ever made. It's ten times more exciting than all Jess Franco's movies combined, sleazier that Jean Rollin's horribly dull vampire movies and more demented than … well, anything you've ever seen. It's a damn shame Belgians and Italians didn't collaborate more often back in the 70's, because this crazy puppy is a real keeper.

Horror at its best!!!!!! This movie is definitely one that earns the designation of HORROR!!!!! The atmosphere is chilling and the characters are zany and unpredictable. At first glance I thought that this movie would be another Italian slasher fest, but instead I was amazed to discover this eerie piece of cinema had a lot to deliver, most of all a frightening tale of sin and temptation. The devil in this movie is one that instills fear and curiosity, just as the devil should be portrayed. I recommend this film to horror fans and movie fans that don't like watching a typical film. Just a note of caution, this movie is not for the faint of heart. As is with many euro horrors of its day, the Devil's Nightmare pulls no punches when it comes to murder and mayhem. Enjoy!

Sexy Erika Blanc famous from Mario Bava's "Kill Baby Kill" and Emilio Miraglia's "The Night Evelyn Came Out from the Grave" plays a seductress and succubus who spends the night in a Gothic castle along with seven unfortunate tourists,some weird servants and a cursed Baron von Rhoneberg.With the use of the Seven Deadly Sins as a motive,she will kill all that are in the castle.Here is where the fun kicks in,as we are witness to several creative deaths ala guillotine,drowning in gold,gluttony poisoning,iron maiden,falling on spikes,etc."The Devil's Nightmare" offers some nudity plus pretty steamy lesbian scene.The killings are fun and Erica Blanc is dressed in one of the sexiest evening outfits in the history of Eurohorror.The stunning cinematography by Andre Goeffers perfectly captures the majestique of the Gothic castle.7 out of 10.

This is an above average example of the type of metaphysical horror film that seemed to proliferate in Europe in the 1970's.

It's simply the story of the Devil, his minion (the succubus) and seven tourists (each representing one of the seven deadly sins) who are forced to spend the night in a sinister castle.

The first hour is rather plodding due to an over abundance of exposition and very little action. Viewer patience is rewarded however during the final half hour when Ilse (the succubus) starts doing what she does best.

Erica Blanc is superb in this role and her transformation from sexy seductress to ghastly succubus is a highlight. Another highlight is Daniel Emilfork as the Devil. His performance is a real stand out when compared to the rather wooden performances delivered by some of the other cast members.

Director Jean Brismee also deserves kudos for several delightfully imaginative flourishes during the death scenes.

All in all it's worth watching if you're a fan of this type of film, but it's definitely not one of my favourite Euro horror films from this era.

6 out of 10.