I’ve often said one of the joys of first VHS and now discs
is that films movie fans might otherwise have never had the opportunity to see
are available to be found, watched and collected. The odds of foreign films playing
in smaller towns across the country was rare and older films near impossible.
That all changed when the home video market opened the doors for film buffs.
One company that’s been doing a great job of keeping some of
those lesser known titles alive is Severin. They’ve released some interesting
films and done so with loving care, in some cases including soundtracks as well
as the feature film along with extras. Now they are offering something a bit
different, a horror film made in Russia called VIY.
Based on a story of the same name written by Nikolai Gogol,
it had been used loosely once before in the film BLACK SABBATH directed by
Mario Bava. But this version sticks closer to the original story. A group of
seminary students on break head home. Three friends traveling get lost and ask
an old woman if they can stay the night. She agrees but insist they stay in
separate places in her home. One of them, Khoma, is sleeping in the barn when
he finds the old woman trying to seduce him. Discovering she’s a witch, she
puts him under a spell and then jumps on his back, riding him through the sky
that night. After convincing her to land he beats her with a stick until she
crawls off, changing into a beautiful young woman.
Khoma returns to the seminary where the head tells him a
wealthy man nearby has requested his services. Specifically asked for he is to
pray for his ill daughter. When Khoma arrives he finds the girl has already
passed away. Not only that but she is the witch he beat with the stick and
killed, something he doesn’t tell anyone. Promised a great reward if he will
stay and pray over the girl’s body for the next three nights he reluctantly
agrees.
The next three nights Khoma is exposed to various forms of
horror as the young woman rises from her coffin and attempts to seek revenge on
him for her death. He draws a circle of holy protection to keep her out and
succeed each night, drinking the next day as he tries to forget the images of
the night before. But on the third night the witch pulls out all stops and
summons Viy, a creature so frightening that other demons fear him.
The movie is incredibly interesting to watch but while doing
so you have to take into consideration that it was made in 1967 in Russia. In a
world where CGI is used extensively today some of the effects here seem
laughable. But in 1967 they were par for the course. That the movie comes from
that country without an overabundance of propaganda is perhaps the most amazing
thing.
While there will always be something lost in translation
with foreign films the story here is pretty straightforward. Perhaps the only
thing off here is the timing as day and night seem to have little time in
between. The setting is perfect and the use of culture among the Cossack guards
who bring Khoma to their village and tell him tells of the witch is done
effectively.
The images of the young witch flying about and trying to
reach Khoma are effective. But it is the final segment when the demons fill the
chapel where her body lies that is truly nightmarish. Using some effective
point of view effects the demons crawl out of the woodwork and surround Khoma.
The final appearance of Viy is less than terrifying compared to these.
Severin has done a wonderful job with this release offering
it on blu-ray with an exceptional transfer. In addition to that, they’ve put
together a modest number of extras that will enhance the viewing enjoyment of
those watching. They include “Viy the Vampire” an interview with film director
Richard Stanley, “The Woods to the Cosmos” John Leman Riley on the history of
Soviet fantasy and sci-fi film, short silent films “Satan Exultant”, “The Queen
of Spades” and “The Portrait” and the original trailer for the film.
Horror fans will want to add this to their collections to
have a more comprehensive collection. Movie fans will want to watch the film
for the historical aspects as the first feature length horror film shot in
Russia. And others may want to give this one a watch out of curiosity more than
anything. It’s never boring and you will have a chance to expose yourself to
cinema you might never have the opportunity to view.
Click here to order.
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