Satan's Slave [Blu-ray]

Director: Norman J Warren, Norman J. Warren Norman J Warren

Overview

Michael Gough once more goes the horror-movie route in this British film. Gough plays the head of a coven of witches. He roams the countryside in search of new minions for the Dark Prince. A fiery climax caps this standard effort.

Product Details

Release Date:	10/29/2019
UPC:	0814456022130
Original Release:	1976
Rating:	R
Source:	Vinegar Syndrome
Region Code:	A
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Language:	English
Time:	1:30:00
Sales rank:	22,112

Special Features

English SDH Subtitles; Audio commentary with director Norman J. Warren & composer John Scott; Audio commentary with film historians Samm Deighan & Katt Ellinger; "Creating Satan" - making-of featurette; "All You Need is Blood" - archival making-of featurette; "Devilish Music" - composer John Scott on his score for Satan's Slave; "Fragment" - a short film written & directed by Norman J. Warren; Multiple theatrical trailers; Multiple deleted scenes

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Michael Gough	Uncle Alexander Yorke
Candace Glendenning	Catherine Yorke
Barbara Kellerman	Frances
Gloria Walker	Janice
James Bree	Malcolm Yorke
Celia Hewitt	Elizabeth Yorke
David McGillivray	Priest
Martín Potter	Stephen Yorke
Michael Craze	Actor
Katarina Waters	Actor
John Scott	Conductor,Composer

Technical Credits

David McGillivray

Norman J Warren	Director,Director
Richard Crafter	Producer
Les Young	Producer
David McGillivray	Screenwriter

Editorial Reviews

There were dozens of cheap Satanism-themed horrors that clogged cinemas in the '70s, and one commonality of the genre is the total lack of happy endings. Evil always wins, these films tell us, it is a pervasive, immortal force ever triumphant over the vain efforts of those who battle it. British exploitation director Norman J. Warren, creator of such brittle, unpleasant films as Alien Prey and Inseminoid, was a natural to distribute such a message. It's no surprise he began his career with Satan's Slave, which conforms to most conventions of the "devil cult" films and delivers extra gore and skin to keep the attention from wandering off a well-trodden road. Catherine is in shock after a freak car explosion kills her parents and strands her at the estate of an uncle she's never met. A doctor with a warm bedside manner, the uncle takes good care of her and she even begins to fall in love with her handsome cousin. Catherine's psychic abilities are acting up, however, and these horrible visions of naked torture sessions and brutal blood rituals are explained away by everyone as mere nerves. There's no mystery for the viewer, because director Warren isn't shy about introducing the male lead with a scene in which he rapes and murders a flirty blonde. So even if the exposition gets a little dull, there's always a shocking, relentless set piece around the corner to keep the action moving. As Catherine's sinister relation, Michael Gogh maintains his dignity with a restrained performance, but he's given a chance to ham it up during a finale that finds him garbed in regal red pajamas and a sequined cloak, spouting ripe paeans to the Lord of Darkness. Many of Warren's later features are too shrill to recommend, approaching Andy Milligan-like heights of arch misanthropy but with a technically proficient sheen. Satan's Slave is more watchable with a generous allowance of uncomfortable moments for those seeking sick thrills.