Incubus (1965)

Director:

Leslie Stevens

Writer:

Leslie Stevens (writer)

Release Date:

November 1966 (France)

Genre:

Horror

Plot:

On a strange island inhabited by demons and spirits, a man battles the forces of evil.

Plot Keywords:

Incubus | Succubus | Demon | Nudity | Drowning

Cast

William Shatner	...	Marc
Allyson Ames	...	Kia
Eloise Hardt	...	Amael
Robert Fortier	...	Olin
Ann Atmar	...	Arndis
Milos Milos	...	Incubus

Runtime:

78 min

Country:

USA

Language:

Esperanto

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:Unrated

Filming Locations:

Big Sur, California, USA

Company:

Contempo III Productions

Trivia:

All the spoken dialogue was in Esperanto.

Goofs:

Boom mic visible: Just before Marc and Kia cross the shallow river the boom mic is clearly visible, lower left.

Quotes:

Amael: I warn you, Kia, that quiet, modest man, who seeks no honors, no rewards, that gentle person who seeks only peace, that man is a hero!
Kia: He is a mortal man!
Amael: A great hero, Kia... great and good.
Kia: Then he has a soul worth fighting for! There are no heroes burning in the fires of Hell! No Martyrs and no Saints! Don't try to stop me, Amael.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Blade: Trinity (2004)

Would be an unique experience even without the Esperanto

People's opinions are really divided on this one it seems. My opinion is that while its not a cult classic, its certainly a haunting experience. Its also unique for several reasons, not the least being its the only feature film filmed in Esperanto, the international language created to foster peace and understanding. And who personifies peace and understanding better than Captain Kirk himself you may ask? The fact this is one of the earliest starring roles of William Shatner, before "Star Trek", is another attraction. Past all these, this is still an interesting film. Its not completely successful (the pace is a bit too slow for many), but it achieves that sense of b-movie surrealism that "Carnival of Souls" and "Night Tide" had.

All around this is a well-made project. The acting ranges from decent to pretty lousy but its not distracting enough. The direction by Leslie Stevens is fine and subtle and has some truly eerie moments (and one all out shocker when the demons ravage Shatner's sister). The best aspect is by far the cinematography by Conrad Hall. "Incubus" looks wonderful and is seeped in shadows and absolutely perfect lighting. All of the angles are perfectly chosen and often very creative. "Incubus" would be an unique experience even without the Esperanto. (7/10)