Black Magic Rites (Aka the Reincarnation of Isabel) [Blu-ray]

Arrived on time, well packaged, just as described

(AKA 'The Reincarnation Of Isabel' 1973)- Before we go any further, if you're going to watch this flick, please do so in Italian with subtitles, as the English dubbed version is unwatchable. Not that anything will elevate this perverse gem of a sexually-overheated occult oddity to the status of a 'good' film, but those of us who revel in such insanity will be able to enjoy properly, as director Renato Polselli ('Delerium') intended. This one starts with a woman being burned alive at the stake for being a witch to the bass line and percussion of Santana's 'Soul Sacrifice' while some psychedelic credits roll over Mario Bava-esque colors shining on the faces of the attendant villagers, so we know what kind of a schlocky treat we're in store for from the get-go.Five centuries later, we're witness to a black magic ceremony involving a naked woman chained to an altar while some dudes in red leotards and black capes invoke Satan to reincarnate the soul of Isabel (the burnt witch) who gets a chance to be reborn every night of the 25th moon. You see, Count Dracula was the lover of Isabel the witch, who petitioned the powers of Darkness to become the first vampire, and presides over the reincarnation rituals.That's the extent of the ridiculous plot; the rest of the flick is all about naked women. Euro babes, to be exact, and we see them being tied up, burnt alive, fondled, scantily clad, buried alive, tortured, in cages, beaten with tree limbs, losing their virginity, getting felt up by vampires, sacrificed, groped by their doctors, pursued by priests and superstitious villagers, in lesbian trysts and all the hysteria and melodrama we've come to expect from these Italian psych-horror sleaze fests. REJOICE or RUN AWAY! (2 stars for the flick, 4 stars for the rest...).

The title speaks of its horror. Standard torture scenes like chaining and beating are many. No surprise.This movie adds pretty women, sometimes naked, as selling point.Without taking it seriously, one can kill time easily. Hey, men may like to view it more than once.

Psychedelic and transportational.

THANK YOU

I love Redemption Films -- their DVDs and Blu Rays are excellent quality. This is no exception. Also known as The Reincarnation of Isabel under previous DVD versions, this movie starts out strange and doesn't let up. There is a plethora of screaming, mind-bending flashbacks and double-takes, and the most extreme gel lighting ever. On blu ray this all looks very attractive, even if the story makes little sense and will test the patience of the most devoted Italian horror buff. Kudos to the actors who are able to play their parts through all this madness with straight faces. I became bored with all the screaming and nonsensical blend of vampirism and "black magic" by the end -- oh, and yes I forgot, it also has humor in the way of an extremely goofy girl first seen at the engagement party of Isabel (hint: if you give a party like Polselli's party shown here, please hire security to keep the creepy guy who looks sort of like Donald Pleasance away). Mickey Hargitay always livens things up, and here he makes a noble effort by looking very intense throughout.Rita Calderoni is attractive (but not so much with a hole in her chest) and endures much throughout this film, while also giving quite a variety of intense expressions a thorough workout. I couldn't keep anyone's name or identity/previous life or incarnation straight, but the key figure towards the end with the beard is given a deluxe gel lighting workout.Much better is Polselli's Delirium, which is also very strange but at least has a fairly entertaining (not to mention feasible and logical, by comparison with this movie's) plot, and Hargitay's turn in that one has to be seen to be believed. If you like this, no doubt you will also want to check out Mickey Hargitay (former bodybuilder at one time married to Jayne Mansfield) in Bloody Pit of Horror, which is also a mad film that makes a lot more sense than this one.You have been warned. For a perfectly bizarre evening pair this with any Jean Rollin or Paul Naschy film. Not recommended for anyone prone to epilepsy or seizure disorders, nor for those who get motion sickness from rapid cutting back and forth filming techniques. Highly recommended for fans of gel lighting gone wild. Oh, and drugs are for people who can't handle Polselli films; or perhaps, Who needs peyote mixed with LSD and alcohol when you have a director who can outwierd David Lynch any day?

This review is in reference to the Redemption Blu-ray which offers a beautiful picture from a print with only minor damage.Black Magic Rites is an Italian production from 1973 and it’s original title (which makes more sense) is The Reincarnation of Isabel. It’s one of those movies where about 80% of the cast have only one other career credit to their names and it’s the same movie.No doubt about it - this movie is ONLY for Euro-cult / trash / sleaze fans. No one else should attempt to watch it. However as a Euro fan myself I thought this was an absolute blast.Highlights include an overdose of Bava-inspired colorful lighting; super awkward / hilarious English dubbing; a gorgeous medieval castle; an abundance of massive over-acting; a ton of pretty actresses; mini-skirts; hot pants; fuzzy novelty slippers (yes) and then there’s… the score….Do you like prog rock? How about guitar-based folk? Or are you in the mood for a jaunty ragtime tune? No problem, Black Magic Rites has you covered. If anything it seems the goal was to cram in every musical style in existence and - credit where credit is due - they did it!So there you go. Black Magic Rites is completely insane and very much a love it or hate it experience. Obviously, I love it.Consider yourself enlightened / warned!

B表記ですが、手持ちのディーガで再生できました。伊音声・英字幕付きです。レストアされてるんでしょうが、細かい白い点がチラチラ残ってはいます。自分は気になる程度ではないです。

no story

this is a film that i have owned on dvd for many years and as i now have a bluray player it was one i wanted to to upgrade.picture quality is better than the dvd , but not stunning , the difference does not jump out at you, like it did on the blueunderground bluray of Torso , which is so much better that any of the dvd's I have had of that film [all of which where very good].Also there not much in the way of new extras from the original redemption dvd.to be honest , if you already have it on dvd , I dont think its worth upgrading to bluray , but the price is not bad so if its a first time purchase ,it may be just as cheap to buy the bluray.p.s. a review of the film ?? , well its a cheezy euro horror sleaze feast , thats badly acted and a plot that is nonsence , which is why I love it , you have been warned.

Incoherent and incomprehensible.