AKA: SEXORGIEN DER SCHWARZEN HEXEN, THE CURSE OF THE BLACK SISTERS, VEIN OF LUST, VAMPIRE ECSTASY.
(1973/SWEDEN/GERMANY)
REVIEWED BY-STEVE GENIER DIRECTED BY-JOSEPH SARNO CAST-NADIA HENKOWA, ANKE SYRING, ULRIKE BUTZ, NICO WOLFERSTETTER, MARIE FORSA, FLAVIA KEYT and ALON D’ARMAND. SOURCE- X-RATED KULT DVD PAL 2 (2005)
Nestled deep in the woods is a castle and in the basement of that castle there are women dabbling with the occult. Set to resurrect a the castle’s long dead Baroness who has been gone for nearly 400 years. In order to be successful, they need the blood of a descendant of the baroness’. So along with this they also prey on Peter and Anke, who are brother and sister who have sought shelter from the night. The sister being a doctor who also has knowledge of vampires and the occult, gives her brother an amulet to ward of any evil that might come to them while they stay in the castle. The leader of the occult group that inhabit the castle, Wanda orchestras all the necessary string to successfully bring the Baroness to life. Anke, struggles with keeping Peter who she also has secretly loved from being consumed by the evil. Little does Anke know that the Baroness’ true intentions are to have her and her blood.
Well, as most of you already know what many of Joe Sarno’s film entail, complete eroticism and VEIL OF BLOOD is certainly no different. Though Sarno weaves many different aspects such as the occult, vampirism, sexploitation, lesbism and even incest. Of course the incest is only merely touch during the storyline between Peter and his sister Anke. You know even a pinch of this taboo spilt on the screen rises a few eyebrows. Still, it is a strong lustful message that Sarno knows will gain more interest even if it’s from closet viewers. The interest aspect about the several different elements thrown into this melting pot if you will, is his non-traditional approach to the vampire theme. Basically giving it a more down to Earth, realistic style and feel, almost human in nature even though to most vampires are just a myth. Adding to the variety of themes that Sarno has served up, he has added a wonderful backdrop which gives this strange tale a very eerie atmosphere.
From what I understand this was shot Switzerland, hence given it that old world European feel. Still with all the nudity smeared across the screen, the surreal atmosphere and several other elements that make up this unusual tale, there is many things that are lacking. For one, pretty much the whole way through the plot and storyline is pretty much anti-climatic. It’s really a struggle to make it all the way through without taken a few breaks to just check you’re sanity and boredom levels. Pretty much all the English dialogue is hard to understand with many of the character's thick German accents still attached. It’s really a shame given that Sarno can usually make up for these factors with his stylish ways of presenting hot women waiting to be taken for a sexual ride. Like I have mentioned, there are plenty of women here, but there is really no solid situations extended past a few seconds of enjoyment. That and the fact that between the repetitive bongo and chanting drives one mad. I know I shouldn't really complain about the acting either, as this is meant to be an erotic horror film, but VEIL OF BLOOD has so much more potential as it’s a shame it just stops dead. I would only recommend this to the diehard Sarno fans.
Once again X-Rated has grabbed another rare title and have given it an ok upgrade. Though, not can be said for the film itself, this is surely another DVD one would love to grab if they are collecting these hard covered novelties. The sad fact though is that the film is present in full screen. I know Retro-Seduction have released this onto VHS under the title VAMPIRE ECSTASY which runs 110 minutes, I can’t comment on rather it’s from the same print X-Rated used. So, basically what I’m getting at is if that print is wide-screen or full-screen as well and uncut. Anyhow, on with the rest of the feature for this disc. It is presented with a Dolby Digital audio track with optional German or English audio to choose from. Though the picture lacks, the sounds comes out the more superior here.
As for the DVD’s special features, you are treated to both the German and US trailers for VEIL. Plus, two of the opening scenes for each of the different prints. Also, there is information of the film, but unless you can read German it’s pretty useless. This isn’t one of X-Rated better projects, not sure If you can blame that on the film itself, giving X-Rated the impression that there really isn’t a great need to give the film the royal treatment. Who knows, but what I can say, there is two factors that would have one interested in grabbing this odd film. One, the diehard Sarno fans, two being that this is title #114 in the X-Rated library.
STORY-2 BITCH SLAPS PICTURE-2 BITCH SLAPS AUDIO-3 BITCH SLAPS EXTRAS-2.5 BITCH SLAPS OVERALL DVD-2.5 To Purchase this DVD, visit X-Ploited Cinema.
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