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The path of a pacifist photographer being seduced by the need for justice and the intrigue of a hitherto unknown world of professional assassins plying their trade via the intimate and all-too-personal death delivered by a knife is a very deep experience to watch unfold, and Peter Coyote does it to a tee.

His inner revulsion to the horror of embracing this culture is offset by its fascination as well as the necessity of descending into it to find out the truth behind the killing of model/prostitutes. Slowly but surely you observe the influence of his gaining knowledge and confidence as he is tutored (by a master of the art he just happens to see and captures on camera one day plying his craft), all dragging him down to dive in completely.

The plot thickens as characters are revealed and surprises are forthcoming, all leading to a fantastic final knife-fighting confrontation with the acknowledged master, someone he has known all along but not suspected.

I saw this movie about 10 years ago, but never noted the title until I was trying to order it on-line, and now I have it in my collection. I highly recommend it for its combination of intense drama, revealing close analysis of the process of a sworn pacifist turned to embrace violence as a way of life, amazing fighting scenes, and an uplifting ending. Unforgettable.

This demon is not an 'inner demon' (yourself) as in a previous review posted here, but an actual supernatural entity imprisoned under the Keep in a subterranean grotto, the only exit from which is guarded by the wards embedded in the Keep's walls (silver crosses). It is not a manifestation of the old Jewish father's need for revenge on the Nazis, but the demon senses the old man's needs as a channel to exploit to gain him the blood he needs to reform his corporeal existence on earth in order to pursue his own agenda.

Unfortunately, this film does not have the time to fully explore the background as in the book, and instead goes for the shock factor. Nevertheless, there is a very real sensation of creeping horror and mounting suspense as the 'guardian angel' (Michael the Archangel?) becomes aware of the demon's awakening and imminent escape into the world of man that must be prevented in a climactic battle of good vs. evil.

The photography is excellent, as is the mood, even if the special effects are a bit cheesy. If you think the movie was enjoyable at all, I highly suggest you buy the the book for a real creepshow, as it really goes much deeper into what is actually going on here. I read the book before seeing the movie, and still enjoyed seeing it on screen, but some (important) points were definitely missing.

This was not meant to be uplifting, thought-provoking, or 'Great Art', just a visual scare-romp. I read the Stephen King story (book?) first and couldn't wait to see this movie when it came out. Yes, it was 'icky'and gruesome, but think about how you would feel being trapped underground with all those hungry rats, forget the mutant giant one! The panoramic view of the big 'rat pit' was awesome! Campy, for sure, but underneath, horrific. Great late Saturday night viewing with friends or alone )leave on the night light).