Sadly Over-hyped

Am I Missing Something?

Clever and entertaining enough to recommend even to members of the 1%

A film of deceptively outspoken contemporary relevance, this is cinema at its most alert, alarming and alive.

You can have so much fun with this! In this crazy exploitation movie, young nuns Alucarda (anagram for Dracula) and Justine strike a blood pact, summon demonic forces of some sort and wreak havoc in a small religious community in Mexico. That's it in a nutshell.It isn't simply a bad film, though it is in conventional terms. It's so utterly nonsensical, so bizarre and hysteric it becomes much more than it is. And isn't the whole point with movies that we construct what they mean to us?It falls somewhere between Jess Franco's lesbian vampire films, and unconsciously Arrabal's Panic Theater and the Pythons. The beauty of it is that you can read it any way you feel like, there is no logic which is something I seek in films. Or rather, the logic is so inane compared to the anarchic joy, it breaks. My preferred reading is that the whole cacophonous mess is something between Justine's fears of motherhood strangling her sexuality (viewed through a Catholic prism), a confessional of scandalous teenage thoughts, and mischief caused by two young nuns in the back benches during Sunday school, perhaps imaginary, perhaps blown up into 'possession' by the shrill teacher.It is all entirely theatric, but unselfconscious which is why its chaos works. Everyone is acting crazy, nuns drop down out of the blue. A book (ostensibly on demonology) simply reads 'Satan'. It's all of it disconnected, we visit one place then another. There is a satanic ritual and orgy for no good reason.There is so much screaming, there is screaming inside the screaming.It's awesome.

did anyone else find themselves viewing Alucarda as the protagonist, and wishing she'd whack all those incessantly screeching nuns? LOL I'm not sure if the film maker intended to highlight the ignorance and violence inherent in Christianity, but he did a fine job of it nevertheless... and as others have said, the screaming does get annoying after awhile, but overall, it's good for some Saturday night popcorn munching with all the lights out. They certainly don't make films like this anymore, not in today's politically-correct society(which makes me wanna puke). Things have become so watered-down, so lifeless... but I digress.

No lover of Horror cinema can allow himself to miss Juan López Montezuma's obscure cult classic "Alucarda, La Hija De Las Tinieblas" of 1978. Mexico seems to be a great country for original films of the nunsploitation sub-genre (Satánico Pandemonium), and "Alucarda" is a true highlight of Mexican Horror Exploitation. A blood-soaked, surreal and highly atmospheric film, this film of the great alternative title "Innocents From Hell" is an eerie and impressive Horror gem that should certainly give its viewers the creeps.The film is set in a 19th century convent, a dark and obscure place, where the beautiful young Justine (Susana Kamini) comes to live after the death of her parents. Upon her arrival, Justine meets Alucarda (Tina Romero), who has been living in the convent for all her life. The Rules in the convent are strict. For good reasons... This description may not be enough to point out the great plot, but I cannot bring myself to spoil any of the great moments in this brilliantly creepy film. Stylish brutality, sleaze, creepiness, suspense and great atmosphere - "Alucarda" delivers what great Horror needs in every aspect. The leading actresses Tina Romero and Susana Kamini deliver two outstanding performances as Alucarda and Justine, and the eerie score intensifies the creepiness and atmosphere. The movie is greatly photographed, very well made, eerie sceneries and great camera ankles make "Alucarda" even more atmospheric.This movie has a bunch of alternative titles such as "Sister Of Satan" and "Innocents From Hell", and was also marketed as "Mark Of The Devil 3" in the USA, although it has nothing to do with "Mark Of The Devil" of 1970, as the 1970 film is a brutal portrayal of medieval witch-hunts, while "Alucarda" is a surreal film about demonic possession. An obscure, dark and highly memorable film, "Alucarda" is a a Mexican Horror/Exploitation highlight that no Horror fan should allow himself to miss. Highly recommended!

...Moctezuma was heavily influenced by the Silent films of the teens and 20's and it shows in this film..for its strong points are clearly the beautiful eerie images throughout..THe abstract Convent set in dark creative lighting..the Nuns in their Mummy like shrouds (they are more disturbing than the blood and gore..of which there is plenty)...The Erotic scenes between Alucarda and Justine..beautiful Images of Alucarda in her funeral black Victorian dress.My favorite Image from this film..possibly.. is the initial introduction of Alucarda as she turns around from the shadows to greet her new friend Justine whos newly arrived to the Orphanage..Its a quick creative dreamlike tidbit..the likes I've never seen in film before..Alucarda and Justine's early scenes have a poignancy and loneliness not unlike Soledad Miranda and her playmates in Vampiros Lesbos....It can be touching..Tina Romero(Alucarda)..I'm happy to say is still quite attractive and can be frequently seen in the current Telenovelas(Spanish Soaps)...I say grab a copy of Alucarda from Mondo Macabro..for a little taste o 70's Mexico..its a good little collectors piece...Christopher,2006