Inferno Carnal

Inferno Carnal (1977)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

Brazilian horror film features director Marins playing the lead role of a doctor who has acid poured on his face by his cheating younger wife. The wife eventually takes his money and runs off with her playboy lover but the doctor has his own ideas for revenge. This is a rather bizarre and surreal film, as one would expect from the director, but it's not as bizarre as you might think. There's a few gory sequences, mostly with the acid, but outside of this the film is more talk that anything else. Some would say that's a bad thing but it actually works here for several reasons. The first is that the entire subplot of the lover turning out to be a scumbag to the wife makes for some interesting twists. The talk also helps build up the wife's character to where we slightly begin to feel for her. This works perfectly because there are a couple twists at the end, which come out of no where and really work quite well. The lack of gore might keep some people away or disappoint those who do watch the movie so people should prepare themselves going in. Even at 82-minutes the movie begins to lose steam but I really respect Marins for trying something different and not just delivering your casual revenge plot. The film also manages several surreal moments, which usually gets done with strange sound effects, weird edits and some strange color designs. Even stranger is an actual eye operation, which we get to see in close detail, which will certainly have your eyes watering up. The story is told in a straight forward fashion, which again, might upset die hard fans of the director but I think if people give the film a far shot then they should enjoy it. The print shown on IFC is in good condition but the subtitles are disastrous as we get many misspelled words as well as several words that are incorrectly used.

Hellish Flesh is a slightly more conventional horror tale from Brazilian madman José Mojica Marins. In it Marins plays a scientist who spends too much time in his lab. His wife conducts an affair with a mutual friend. The pair then concoct a plan to kill the hapless husband. The wife pours acid on his face and her lover sets fire to his lab. But the scientist survives albeit with a creepy burned face, while the wife suffers a bad life as her lover is a good-for-nothing gambler and womaniser. But things only get even more complicated.

At its heart this is a simple revenge tale. Although given that it's a Marins movie it isn't a typical one. He still manages to incorporate some surreal elements such as the scenes with the mysterious young woman. Her lover is but a shadowy silhouette, á la Nosferatu. There are also a couple of shock moments; one being the acid attack scene which does look quite fake and another being the eye surgery scene which unfortunately is quite genuine, and very unpleasant indeed. Also, the parts with Marins facially deformed scientist were nice and creepy. But mostly Hellish Flesh is a fairly straightforward affair. The twist at the end is kind of good though and rounds off the film on a satisfyingly macabre note.

Despite underrated, this is one of the very best movies by José Mojica Marins. Curiouly, here he does not play neither a fictionalized version of himself, nor his classic icon and signature character Coffin Joe, as in most of his films. It is the story of a rich scientist named George Medeiros, who is researching a new powerful acid. I do not consider it a horror; indeed, itnis more approapriate to consider it as a dramatic thriller. In the film, Count of Montecristo meets Le Chien Andalou and Beauty and the Beast. It is eye for an eye. The black widow meets an opportunist gambler who spends much money with prostitutes. Can we say there is a moral lesson? Atmospheric, well paced and well edited movie.

"Inferno Carnal," a 1977 Brazilian film directed by José Mojica Marins, is an intriguing yet flawed entry in the erotic horror genre. The film attempts to blend elements of supernatural horror with explicit eroticism, a combination that, while ambitious, often feels disjointed. The narrative centers around a man who returns from the dead to exact revenge on those who wronged him, a premise ripe with potential for both chills and thrills. However, the execution leaves much to be desired, as the film struggles to maintain a coherent tone and pace.

One of the film's strengths lies in its atmospheric cinematography. Marins, known for his work in the horror genre, effectively uses shadow and light to create a sense of unease. The eerie settings and haunting visuals contribute to a palpable sense of dread that permeates the film. Unfortunately, this strong visual style is undermined by a lackluster script and uneven performances. The dialogue often feels stilted and unnatural, detracting from the overall immersion and making it difficult for the audience to fully engage with the story.

The erotic elements of "Inferno Carnal" are both a highlight and a hindrance. While the film does not shy away from explicit content, these scenes often feel gratuitous and disconnected from the main narrative. Instead of enhancing the horror elements, the eroticism sometimes feels like a distraction, pulling the viewer out of the story rather than drawing them deeper into it. This imbalance is a significant factor in the film's inability to fully realize its potential as a cohesive and compelling piece of cinema.

Ultimately, "Inferno Carnal" is a film that falls short of its ambitions. While it offers moments of visual brilliance and an intriguing premise, the inconsistent storytelling and uneven performances prevent it from achieving greatness. Fans of José Mojica Marins and those with a particular interest in the intersection of horror and erotica may find some value in this film, but for the average viewer, it is likely to be a frustrating experience. With a rating of 5/10, "Inferno Carnal" stands as a testament to the challenges of blending disparate genres into a harmonious whole.

"Hellish Flesh" is not an Coffin Joe entry but an average horror tale of revenge. A scientist (Marins) gets his face destroyed with acid by his young cheating wife. She then spends his money on a playboy/lover, meanwhile Marins is lurking around them with a scarred face. The end has nice twist but like "Perversion" it's too straightforward compared to his unique surreal Coffin Joe epics. The print from Something Weird Video is pretty worn but it's properly the only way to get this rare film. Only for fans of this Brazilian genius.