IMDb RATING
5.6/10
5.3K
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An outcast military cadet taps into a way to summon demons and cast spells on his tormentors through his computer.An outcast military cadet taps into a way to summon demons and cast spells on his tormentors through his computer.An outcast military cadet taps into a way to summon demons and cast spells on his tormentors through his computer.
Joe Cortese
- Reverend Jameson
- (as Joseph Cortese)
Bennett James
- Captain Merrill
- (as Bennett Liss)
Featured reviews
An orphaned boy at a military academy in SoCal (Clint Howard) is harassed, so he uses a computer in the dark basement of the citadel to conjure up evil power for succor.
The curious title of "Evilspeak" (1981) was derived from the phrase "computer-speak," obviously because the kid uses an old computer to work his black magic. The flick attempts to be the male version of "Carrie" (1976) just switching from telekinetic powers to devilish witchcraft. Unfortunately, it lacks the coherence, weightiness and power of that 70's horror hit.
There's something about the storytelling that holds it back. The basic plot of a youthful outcast getting even with his/her tormentors is a surefire foundation, but the way it's told is not very compelling, which I suppose isn't helped by the muddled diabolic gobbledygook and the hint of cheesy bemusement.
The stunning Lynn Hancock stands out in the feminine department as a secretary at the school, Miss Friedemeyer. Lynn experimented with acting a handful of times in 1980-1982 before leaving the profession for other pastures. A few other notable lasses appear during a beauty contest for the cadets.
The movie officially runs 1 hour, 37 minutes, but there are several cuts of the film available. It was shot at Saint Anthony Seminary in Santa Barbara, California, as well as Chatworth, which is about 55 miles east in northwestern Los Angeles.
GRADE: C.
The curious title of "Evilspeak" (1981) was derived from the phrase "computer-speak," obviously because the kid uses an old computer to work his black magic. The flick attempts to be the male version of "Carrie" (1976) just switching from telekinetic powers to devilish witchcraft. Unfortunately, it lacks the coherence, weightiness and power of that 70's horror hit.
There's something about the storytelling that holds it back. The basic plot of a youthful outcast getting even with his/her tormentors is a surefire foundation, but the way it's told is not very compelling, which I suppose isn't helped by the muddled diabolic gobbledygook and the hint of cheesy bemusement.
The stunning Lynn Hancock stands out in the feminine department as a secretary at the school, Miss Friedemeyer. Lynn experimented with acting a handful of times in 1980-1982 before leaving the profession for other pastures. A few other notable lasses appear during a beauty contest for the cadets.
The movie officially runs 1 hour, 37 minutes, but there are several cuts of the film available. It was shot at Saint Anthony Seminary in Santa Barbara, California, as well as Chatworth, which is about 55 miles east in northwestern Los Angeles.
GRADE: C.
Stanley Coopersmith (Clint Howard) is a young cadet at a military academy. Unfortunately, he's also an orphan and a total clod, both of which make him easy prey for a clique of sadistic idiots. Stanley is tormented without mercy.
Serendipitously, he happens upon a dark secret beneath the academy's church building, where he acquires arcane knowledge. Stanley then uses a computer to allow a long-dead Satanist named Esteban (Richard Moll) to possess him.
From here on, it's payback time!
Behold! A nosy secretary being eaten by savage swine! See! A Colonel's head popped like a bulging pimple! Watch! As craven thugs are exterminated in grisly ways! If you've ever been the victim of mindless bullies and longed for satisfaction, this is the movie for you! EVILSPEAK is also a showcase for Howard, who makes it a true uber-nerd triumph!
Co-stars R.G. Armstrong in another disgruntled role as Sarge...
Serendipitously, he happens upon a dark secret beneath the academy's church building, where he acquires arcane knowledge. Stanley then uses a computer to allow a long-dead Satanist named Esteban (Richard Moll) to possess him.
From here on, it's payback time!
Behold! A nosy secretary being eaten by savage swine! See! A Colonel's head popped like a bulging pimple! Watch! As craven thugs are exterminated in grisly ways! If you've ever been the victim of mindless bullies and longed for satisfaction, this is the movie for you! EVILSPEAK is also a showcase for Howard, who makes it a true uber-nerd triumph!
Co-stars R.G. Armstrong in another disgruntled role as Sarge...
This craptacular piece of 80's horror is especially recommended in case you're interested seeing Clint Howard star in a leading role for a change. You know him, he's the irritating and goofy looking dude who often appears as a meaningless side-character in even more meaningless horror films (The Dentist part two, the Humanoids from the Deep TV-remake etc
) I doubt many people are fascinated by his career but 'Evilspeak' is amusing to watch, nevertheless. The plot is an umpteenth variant on the favorite 80's theme where the nerdish school kid who always gets picked on avenges himself. Clint shines as the loser in this case, an unfortunate military cadet always punished by his teachers and an easy target for the other, more successful cadets. 'Evilspeak' goes beyond the standard horror format when ancient demons are summoned through a computer in the basement (?) and the whole thing becomes completely hilarious when hungry, filthy-looking pigs are used as murder weapons. Although not an intended trump for a horror film, 'Evilspeak' is incredibly funny! Especially the last 10 minutes are a must in case you're in desperate need of a laugh. The climax is exaggeratedly gore, with an outrageous Clint Howard chopping off heads in a church and unleashing pigs upon his hated classmates. Cheesy make-up effects and a deranged protagonist. Sometimes that's all there is needed to brighten up your mood.
Just how bad can a film be when the main force of evil is a herd of killer PIGS from Hell???? The story is way too silly to be horrifying, the dialogue is pretty laughable, the acting mostly reeks, and the production values are super-cheap! In other words, it's bad movie heaven....one of those "so bad, it's good!" guilty pleasures that you laugh AT as much as WITH.
And of course, it stars Clint Howard....what more needs to be said?
And of course, it stars Clint Howard....what more needs to be said?
The much maligned "Evilspeak" actually struck me as an excellent horror movie in the early '80s, shortly before it was banned in the UK and listed on the infamous "nasties" list. Watching this again last night in its uncut format, my view of the film has changed significantly over the years! The film still has a few things going for it. The performances aren't bad and Clint Howard is always interesting to watch, there's a touch of nudity to appeal to the "t&a fans", the effects are bloody and the soundtrack by Roger Kellaway is impressive. On the downside, the film's pace is somewhat plodding and the film could have been edited down to a leaner and meaner tale.
Sexy Miss Friedemeyer (Lynn Hancock) remains a most watchable screen siren and her demise at the jaws of hungry pigs is a delightfully gruesome set-piece.
6 out of 10. Not as bad as people make out but still a turkey.
Sexy Miss Friedemeyer (Lynn Hancock) remains a most watchable screen siren and her demise at the jaws of hungry pigs is a delightfully gruesome set-piece.
6 out of 10. Not as bad as people make out but still a turkey.
Did you know
- TriviaAccording to Clint Howard and director Eric Weston, the original cut of the film which he submitted to the ratings board contained even more footage than the uncut DVD release, including more special effects, as well as extensions of the bathtub death scene and the cadet having his heart ripped out. But their labored efforts to find a copy of this version have proven futile, and they believe it is likely gone forever.
- GoofsIn the first shower sequence one of the actors can be seen wearing a jockstrap.
- Quotes
Father Esteban: I will return.
- Alternate versionsThe original pre-cert rental release of Evilspeak was uncut. The 1987 UK video release was cut by three minutes and 34 seconds by the BBFC. The cuts were: two mins two secs of a young maiden having her head chopped off, 58 mins one secs of a shot of the basement bloke having his neck broken, 65 mins 23 secs of pigs attacking woman in bath and eating her guts. 88 mins 19 secs of the priest have a nail in the head and shots of him. 90 mins four secs of a teacher having his head splatted by Coopersmith. 90 mins 21 secs of a pig eating the fat kid. 91 mins nine secs of a kid breaking a window, 91 mins 18 secs of pigs eating, 91 mins eight secs of another head chop, 92 mins 18 secs of a kid banging on a door to escape, 92 mins six secs of a fourth head chop, 92 mins eight secs of a kid being eaten in an air vent, 92 mins two secs of a kid running from pigs, 93 mins 11 secs of heart ripping. 95 mins eight secs of Coopersmith's digital image. The credits have been speeded up (but not even the uncut one got the timing right on the letters appearing) Normal credit sequence = two mins 30 secs, speeded up credits = one min 15 secs. The initial 2004 Anchor Bay DVD saw most of the cuts waived, though the version submitted had been re-edited by the distributor. Later the same year the film was submitted again, this time containing the original print and including all the graphic violence, and was passed uncut by the BBFC.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Ban the Sadist Videos! Part 2 (2006)
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $900,000 (estimated)
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