Approximately 15 years or so ago, I held a bare-boned DVD version of this film in my hands, for sale at a gas station of all places! To this day I still regret that I didn't blindly buy it back then. I didn't because it was only in French, without any subtitles or English soundtrack. The atmospheric cover and grisly little images on the back of the box always haunted me and, ever since then "La Nuit de la Mort" has been waiting on my must-see list. It's a damn difficult title to track down, I ensure you, but I finally managed, and it was more than worth it. And the good news is that I also properly speak and understand French by now!
"La Nuit de la Mort » is truly a hidden gem of French horror cinema! Writer/director Raphaël Delpard astounds us with a film that seemingly has everything that horror fanatics so desperately desire: an original plot, insane characters, genuine atmospheric tension and a fair portion of old-fashioned & revolting gore! Moreover, the lead actress Isabelle Goguey is honestly one of the most naturally beautiful, sympathetic and spontaneous women I've ever seen! I couldn't keep my eyes of her; - what a woman! It's downright unfathomable that this red-headed angel isn't more known! She only starred in a handful of unknown movies and worked as an assistant director for a dozen that are even less than unknown! This dream-woman stars as Martine, a young woman who accepts a job as a nurse and all-round household help in a secluded old folks' home named Deadlock House. The landlady and the caretaker are quite eccentric, and also the residents are bizarrely energetic for their ages, but Martine is an open-minded girl and she's up for a challenge after 8 months of unemployment. The other nurse, Nicole, mysteriously vanishes shortly after Martine's arrival and she gradually grows more suspicious of what happens in this exclusive mansion after dark.
Delpard biggest scripting errors are that he reveals the macabre "secret" of Deadlock House too quickly, after 20 minutes already, and that he subsequently doesn't foresee any more victims, other than poor Nicole, to be led to the slaughter. For the remaining hour, "La Nuit de la Mort" solely thrives on sinister atmosphere and the genuine concern that something dreadful will happen to the mesmerizing Martine. It's not always enough, and certain parts of the film are boring and overdue (like Martine discovering Nicole's suitcase when she already knows that her disappearance was unusual). The extended finale features a few strong and unexpected plot twists and the gory make-up effects are really shocking for a low-budgeted 80s French flick. And, personally, I was happy enough to gaze at the ravishing Isabelle Goguey even during the duller moments. There's even a brief but wonderful topless scene. Did I mention already that this woman is a stunning natural beauty?
