’Tis the Halloween season, a time of year when you can indulge in disturbing horror cinema without feeling guilty about it. Unfortunately, all Hollywood has to offer in theatres right now are unnecessary video game adaptations (Doom) and PG-13 remakes (The Fog).
With that in mind, we present a list of alternative choices for your Halloween viewing: the finest horror offerings from ten different countries around the world.
Canada: Videodrome (1983)
At the time of its release, many politicians and journalists felt that Videodrome was a trashy and offensive waste of Canadian tax dollars. The sadly-underrated James Woods stars as the sleazy executive of television station Civic TV, obviously based on Toronto’s City TV. He discovers a television program of live torture and murder that causes him to have a series of strange psychosexual hallucinations. Rick Baker’s amazing make-up work shows the superiority of practical effects over computer generation. His breathing, pulsating television set is as impressive now as it must have been in 1983. Entertainment aside, the movie examines the effects of the media on society. Videodrome is a seminal piece of Canadian filmmaking by one of this country’s finest directors, David Cronenberg.
Italy: Deep Red (1975)
This Dario Argento-crafted mystery is a perfect example of the Italian Giallo tradition. As this thriller sub-genre typically requires, a killer in black gloves murders most of the cast in a seemingly endless array of gory, creative death scenes. In an attempt to capitalize on the popularity of slasher films, Deep Red was released to American audiences as The Hatchet Murders, despite the absence of any hatchets. But what instantly sets Argento apart is his distinct camera style. His ability to create visual suspense is on par with Hitchcock and should be required viewing in film schools. The score, performed by Italian rock band Goblin, is excellent as always.
Japan: Audition (1999)
This disturbing little movie starts as a relationship comedy before unexpectedly transforming into a vicious work of horror. It comes from the twisted imagination of director Takashi Miike, renowned for his graphic films such as Ichi The Killer and Visitor Q.
Audition was his first international success, and is still his best movie. The story revolves around a middle-aged widower meeting the ideal partner, who isn’t quite what she seems. The movie starts out innocently, but ends with a prolonged nightmare and torture sequence that will shock even the most desensitized viewer. Revealing the plot any further would ruin the many surprises the film holds, but rest assured, the finale—involving acupuncture needles and razor-sharp piano wire—is not easily forgotten. Audition is fast becoming a modern horror classic.
Mexico: Santa Sangre (1989)
After his legendary, psychedelic spaghetti western El Topo, surrealist film maker Alejandro Jodorowsky earned a cult following as King of the Bizarre. Santa Sangre is both his only horror film and greatest achievement. The plot revolves around a young man whose arms are driven to kill by his domineering, armless mother. Sound strange? It is. Drawing upon his extensive experience in theatre and comic books, Jodorowsky jams the film with unforgettable imagery and creates a viewing experience that is truly unlike any other. Tragically, it is unavailable on DVD in this region. Your best bet is to find it somewhere on the Internet.
Britain: Horror of Dracula (1958)
Horror of Dracula was one of the first films produced by Britain’s legendary Hammer Horror Studios, the production company that helped modernize horror movies in the 1950s. Hammer movies added blood and sexuality to the gothic settings of their predecessors, marking the first time that the act of vampirism was given overt sexual undertones in a movie. Christopher Lee’s iconic portrayal of Dracula has influenced every rendition of the character since. This incredibly concise version of Dracula strips the novel to its essence for a very entertaining 81 minutes. While the movie is no longer as shocking as it was in 1958, when the very sight of blood in Technicolor would repulse an audience, Horror of Dracula holds up remarkably well today.
: Brotherhood of the Wolf (2001)
has always had problems with werewolves, particularly in the 1800s. So it’s no surprise that this French crowd-pleaser centers around two warriors enlisted by French nobility to slay a large, wolf-like beast. Based on historical reports of the French werewolf “Gevauden,” the film’s impressive monster is revealed slowly in glimpses until the dramatic finale. This horror/action/period genre-bender contains intense fight sequences and special effects best appreciated on big-screen TVs. Director Christopher Gans has recently been enlisted for a big screen adaptation of the popular horror video game Silent Hill.
New Zealand: Dead Alive a.k.a. Braindead (1992)
The highlight of Peter Jackson’s early career was Dead Alive, a zombie movie that made it into the Guinness Book of World Records for using more fake blood than any other film in history. Dead Alive is a slapstick gore-comedy with hilarious sequences featuring zombie lawnmowers, custard with human ears, and a kung fu priest who “kicks arse for the Lord.” It is unquestionably the goriest movie ever made, but is so funny and lighthearted that it is never disturbing. It is easy to forget that Peter Jackson, now world famous for his not-so-hilarious adaptation of Lord of the Rings, began his career making immature splatter movies. Due to censorship, several versions of this movie exist, so get the longest version available to enjoy all the goopy goodness.
Brazil: At Midnight, I’ll Take Your Soul (1964)
The first installment in the classic Coffin Joe horror trilogy is remarkably entertaining, considering its age and modest budget. The Brazilian equivalent of Freddy Krueger, Coffin Joe is an atheist undertaker who delights in irritating—and murdering—his fellow townsfolk. Director José Mojica Marins’ unique style of filmmaking combines campy spook-show effects with dark, avant-garde lyricism. Marins himself not only played the series’ title character, but lived it, often appearing on TV and in public in his trademark black cape and top hat. This is the first, but not last, Brazilian horror film.
USA: House of 1000 Corpses (2003)
This 90-minute Rob Zombie video is heavily influenced by the dark horror movies of the 1970s, but adds a much-appreciated layer of irony to the proceedings. The movie has the reputation of being an unrelenting assault of meaningless gore and violence, and while it is definitely graphic, House of 1000 Corpses is also quite fun and entertaining, playing like a haunted house ride for adults. The characters are all endearing and instantly memorable, brought to life by some of the most underrated actors working in the genre. The film is sured only by its greasy action sequel The Devil’s Rejects, making Zombie’s creation the first great horror franchise of the millennium.
Spain: Tombs of the Blind Dead (1971)
A staple of 1970s Eurohorror, “The Blind Dead” are medieval Knights of Templar who, once awakened from their ancient slumber, proceed to wreak general havoc. The sequences with these rotted skeleton-knights riding on horseback in slow motion are classic art-horror and have the dreamy, surreal feel that distinguishes many Spanish horror films. The bad dubbing, another staple of Eurohorror, is surprisingly tolerable. Although this film may leave you craving more Blind Dead action, avoid the sub-par sequel that is mostly recycled footage from the original.
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