Alucarda (1975)

[Scott]

ALUCARDA (1975) - This film lives up to the hype on the DVD cover. What a great one from Mexico. The director Juan Lopez Moctezuma also assisted Alejandro Jodorowsky in directing EL TOPO (1970).  This is not a B Movie, but in fact a very good film with alot of screaming, massive blood, and nudity. So beware to those who "hate" those things : ) The story takes place in a convent and a new arrival gets caught up with Alucara and first meet gypses and enter a tomb/church. They become satanist (I think Alucarda was from the beginning) and then all sorts of things break loose. The look, feel, sets, flaming monks/nuns, and just everything work  in this film. The director had private investors and was able to have a free hand in the direction of this film. Well done.

The DVD itself is distributed by Mondo Macabro: The Wild Side of World Cinema. The extras are good also as they include the trailer, documentary about the director, Interview about film and Mexican film industry, stills gallery, and a written  text Q&A  interview with the director (deceased).

[jmc]

Yeah, this is a great release.  Probably one of the best of the "demonic nun" movies that came out in the Seventies.  A lot of them were rip-offs of THE DEVILS, but this is one of the few that is less of an imitator and more of a peer, because it's just as wild and out-of-control as Ken Russell's film.

[Scott]

Yea, ALUCARDA is way out there. I seen the DVD on the shelve a few months ago and read the cover and then looked up more info on the internet which caused me to seek it out. I wasn't dissappointed.

Also seen THE DEVILS which is a very good film that you don't hear that much about.

[Chopper]

this sounds pretty interesting Scott. I've always been a big fan of El Topo, I even have the soundtrack on vinyl. talk about some creepy tunes.

[Scott]

Haven't seen EL TOPO and I am still trying to find a copy of EL TOPO and HOLY MOUNTAIN. It's high on my list of obscure films.

[The Burgomaster]

I've had my eye on this for months.  Isn't the DVD in full-screen format?  I have hesitated to buy it because it isn't widescreen.

[Scott]

Yep, its full screen Burgomaster, but still worth the viewing.

[Chopper]

yeah i hear you Scott, they are both tough to find. the only companies i've ever seen carry them are bootleg ones, those are the only versions i've ever rented. be careful though in your El Topo search because most copies i've seen on video are laser disc tranfers from a foreign country that censors some of nudity and various orafaces in some scenes. i've always thought it might have been Japan since they were the some of the 1st to have laser discs. good luck in your search though, i think the net would be your best bet for both films.

[Scott]

I've seen El TOPO available on EBAY for under $10 on VHS. He claims it's not a bootleg and he offers many copies on EBAY.

[Ellie]

Alucarda is Adracula spelled backwards.