CAST: Paul Naschy, Guillermo Bredeston, Norma Sebre, Vidal Molina, Eduardo Calvo, Graciela Nilson, Luis Induni, Sandra Mozarovsky, Simon Arriaga, Fernando Rubio, Jose Luis Chinchilla, Javier de Rivera, Cesar de Barona, Toni de Mosul, Emilio Mellado, Luis Glez Paramo, Juan Madrigal, Fernando Villena, Ana Farra, Adela Vazquez, Joaquin Solis, Antonio Orengo, Maria Giani, Jeanette Aristensen, Jaime Morano

Reviewed By-Devin Kelly
DIRECTOR: Leon Klimovsky
PRODUCER(S): Jose A. Perez Giner and Nestor Gaffet
Profilmes, S.A. / Orbe Productions
RUNNING TIME: 88 min. 39 seconds
VIDEO SOURCE: All Seasons Entertainment

Opening to a fable-like Carlos Viziello score, Leon Klimovsky's EL MARISCAL DEL INFIERNO (1974) (known in North America more commonly as DEVIL'S POSSESSED) is another of Paul Naschy's seventies period horror outings, much along the same lines as INQUISICION (1976). Here Naschy is good as unbalanced Baron Gilles de Lancre, a disgruntled French ruler who has been all but disowned by the King he once valiantly fought for. Now distraught over the entire ordeal, de Lancre has but one hope left...to obtain the powerful Philosopher Stone known as the Ars Magnus. With this de Lancre is convinced he will take over the throne of France.Upon returning from battles with England, the Baron is informed by his gorgeous lady Georgel (played by Norma Sebre) that the alchemist he requested has arrived to begin the process of acquiring the Ars Magnus. Georgel accompanies de Lancre to his specially made laboratory where he meets the gruff, wizard-like old man who's supposed to make it all possible, Simon de Braqueville (played by Eduardo Calvo). There's a catch to obtaining this great treasure though as de Braqueville will soon inform him. In order to fulfill this dream, de Lancre must go through the task of sacrificing seven young maidens on seven Saturdays, and then repeat the process once more. As reluctant as he is, de Lancre knows he must do it. The Baron sends out his top man Sille (played by Vidal Molina) to gather up all the pretty young girls like lambs at the slaughter. At the same time a gallant nobleman, Gaston de Malebranche (played by Guillermo Bredeston), is captured by de Lancre's men. Little do they realize however that Gaston de Malebranche is a long time friend of Gilles who saved his life while in war together. De lancre welcomes Malebranche with open arms, but Gaston has become weary of the Baron's new practices and intentions. After an attempt on his life while staying in de Lancre's castle, Malebranche flees knowing this is not the same man he once called a loyal friend.

 

Things begin to fall into a downward spiral for de Lancre. He has become increasingly angry with alchemist de Braqueville's continuous failed attempts at producing the Ars Magnus. "I want the Ars Magnus and this time for your own well being, and of Braqueville, don't fail", he warns golden locked Georgel. De Lancre is also concerned with his own well being as the attacks he suffers from epileptic seizures have increased. On top of all this, Gaston de Malebranche has joined a revolt against de Lancre with the peasants and rebels. The Baron is slowly crumbling, but will he come back stronger than ever with the Ars Magnus? EL MARISCAL DEL INFIERNO (translating as THE MARSHALL OF HELL) really is a fine and recommended film. Basing his character on real life tyrant Gilles de Rais, Naschy brings a lot to the table as Gilles de Lancre, although de Lancre's personality seems to border on bi-polar as his moods veer from kind to nasty pretty frequently. In one unintentionally hilarious scene, Naschy shouts at a corpse who died while being interrogated and tortured for information. "Bastard! Bastard! Then what am I to do?! Bastard!", he bellows at the deceased peasant. Norma Sebre (I DID KILL FACUNDO '75) is an evil, yet beautiful vixen in a good performance as the decieving Georgel. Veteran Spanish cult film actor Vidal Molina (THE CORRUPTION OF CHRIS MILLER '73, EL RETORNO DE WALPURGIS '73) is excellent as de Lancre's henchman Sille and fits this type of role brilliantly. Also of note is Eduardo Calvo (A DRAGONFLY FOR EACH CORPSE '74, INQUISICION '76) as the creepy alchemist.

Talented Argentinean director Leon Klimovsky tries to keep an adventurous pace with various swordplay, jousting, and fighting sequences and for the most part keeps things going. There are some more horror geared sequences as well, including some especially weird scenes of sacrifice headed by Norma Sebre, and one where Naschy thinks he's communicating with a decapitated head. The gore isn't overkill, but is used well where needed, especially in the exciting final shots. Klimovsky would go on to direct Naschy again several times in films such as the giallo A DRAGONFLY FOR EACH CORPSE (1974) and THE PEOPLE WHO OWN THE DARK (1976). EL MARISCAL DEL INFIERNO is also a worthy pairing of the two.

                   "I've spent my fortune and sold my soul to
                    the Devil. I've oppressed the citizens and
                    I've killed my friends."

                               -Paul Naschy (Gilles de Lancre)

3 1/2 BITCH SLAPS

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