BEYOND DARKNESS: A LITTLE OF THIS, A LITTLE OF THAT

 

 

The Italian film industry at one point made a habit of sequels to movies that had no ties to the original movie either via producers or content. They simply placed the name on a film and released it as a sequel since the copyrights didn’t exist in Italy. Because of this the film EVIL DEAD was released as well as the true sequel only to be followed by several sequels that had nothing to do with the film. Instead of being called EVIL DEAD the film was released as CASA. And now CASA 5 has been released by Severin as BEYOND DARKNESS.

The film opens with a priest named George (David Brandon) going to give last rites to a convicted serial killer named Bette (Mary Coulson). She’s killed numerous children. As they talk she refuses his rites and tries to convince him that following Ameth as she does is the right path, telling him that she is taking the children’s souls with her to hell. As she leaves he thinks he sees the children following her and after the execution he sees them in the viewer’s area. 

Off we go to New Orleans where a young pastor named Peter (Gene LeBrock) is moving into a new house with his wife Annie (Barbara Bingham) and children Martin (Michael Stephenson) and Carole (Theresa Walker). It’s a huge house and they welcome the opportunity. While walking through they come to the children’s room where they find a 5’ tall black rocking swan left behind. 

It isn’t long before strange things begin to happen. Carole finds a glowing hole in one of the closets. The swan rocks on its own during the night. An unplugged radio turns itself on and the table it sits on slides across the dining room towards the family. A cleaver flies through the room and imbeds itself in the door. All things that would incline most families to say hey, Motel 6 is open, let’s check in. Instead this family stays. Not only that the next day Father Peter goes to talk to his supervisor and leaves them alone at home. 

It turns out the house was built on land where 20 witches were burned at the stake. And they’re trying to come back, led by Bette. They plan to do so by possessing young Martin and offering everyone else up as sacrifices. But Father George arrives, drinking and still doubting, but there to help. 

So let’s see. House = Amityville, check. Witches = Argento, check. Possession = The Exorcist, check. You see this film feels like it took bits and pieces of other films and mixed them in a bowl, pouring them out into a screenplay that jumps back and forth nonstop. Some will view it as a typical Italian horror film, some will laugh, some will think it is original and others, like me, will think it’s a waste of time. 

Director Claudio Fragasso made a name for himself as a writer of films in Italy before he delved into directing. His two biggest films are MONSTER DOG which starred Alice Cooper and TROLL 2 considered a terrible movie by most. He’s praised by fans of Italian horror films but I’ve yet to find a movie I would consider praiseworthy in his list of credit. This one surely is not that. 

And yet it will be one that finds its way to the shelves of collectors everywhere. Fans of Italian horror, of Fragasso and of series like this. Severin has done a wonderful job in their presentation. Extras include “Beyond Possession: An Interview with Director/Co-writer Claudio Fragasso”, “The Devil in Mrs. Drudi: Interview with Co-Writer Rosella Drudi”, “Sign of the Cross: Interview with Actor David Brandon”, the trailer for the film and the soundtrack on CD. If you’re a fan pick this one up. If not then pass it by.

Click here to order.