DVD Review: The Night of the Sorcerers (1973)

Voodoo! Zombies! Vampirism! Leopard Women! Amando de Ossorio’s Spanish horror film The Night of the Sorcerers (a.k.a. La Noche de los brujos, 1973) has all of this and more, but even with all those terrific elements the movie failed to keep me entertained.

The film revolves around a group of naive jungle explorers who find themselves camping near a sacrificial alter used by a group of mysterious “sorcerers.” These voodoo practicing natives enjoy capturing women and torturing them before cutting off their heads and drinking their blood. Afterward the women return from the dead as leopard skin clad she-demons who roam the jungle in slow-motion trying to find more unwilling victims for the ghostly sorcerers.

The movies basic premise is interesting, but it never really comes together. It often feels like Amando de Ossorio can’t decide if he wants to make a kinky sexploitation film or a horror movie. The film suffers from its uneven direction that never fully exploits the films basic horror elements or erotic themes. The special effects are occasionally worthwhile, but they’re often hampered by the films low-budget and half of the films great international cast seems to be sleepwalking through the film.

The Night of the Sorcerers isn’t completely without merit and it will probably appeal to some eurohorror fans, but it’s a hard film to recommend. It does have a few worthwhile moments and the Cuban actress Kali Hansa really stands out as the temperamental Tunika. I also enjoyed the way Amando de Ossorio seemed to employ elements of the classic Green Ribbon campfire tale (probably based on Washington Irving's short story The Adventure Of The German Student) into his script. The best thing about the film is undoubtedly the impressive score by Spanish composer Fernando García Morcillo who makes a valiant effort to breathe some life into this occasionally lifeless production.

Director and scriptwriter Amando de Ossorio isn’t without talent, but his filmmaking skills are not on full display here. If you’re interested in watching some entertaining Spanish horror films, you’re better off spending your time watching his terrific series of Blind Dead movies. On the other hand, if you’re curious about seeing more of the director’s work, The Night of the Sorcerers might be worth a look. There are worse ways you could spend 85 minutes.

This new Region-1 NTSC DVD from BCI / Eclipse does feature some good extras including the theatrical trailer, a stills gallery, some alternate “clothed” scenes and the Spanish language titles. You can watch the film in Spanish with English subtitles and a dubbed English version of the film is also included.

For more information about the DVD please see Amazon.

- Kimberly Lindbergs

Comments

[galego]

El gallego universal Amando de Ossorio

[Jeremy]

Hey Kimberly,
I enjoy the film a bit more than you did. I find it so completely off the wall that I mostly forgive its shortcomings.
That said, it is clearly not in the same league his best work, namely the first two "Blind Dead" films.
I am pretty happy with the disc overall although the print isn't as complete as another I had seen. The extras are good though and flaws aside I still enjoy the film...
thanks for your well written and valuable thoughts on the film. I really enjoyed reading them.