Beyond Evil (1980)

User Rating:

2.6/10   

Director:

Herb Freed

Writers:

David Baughn (story)
Herb Freed (screenplay)

Release Date:

May 1980 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Horror

Tagline:

A terrifying story of love and possession...

Plot:

An architect and his wife moves into a house with a bloody past and a 100 year old ghost, who possesses the wife. |

Plot Keywords:

Ghost | Magic | Murder | Voodoo | Revenge

Cast

John Saxon	...	Larry Andrews
Lynda Day George	...	Barbara Andrews
Michael Dante	...	Del Giorgio
Mario Milano	...	Dr. Frank Albanos
Janice Lynde	...	Alma Martin
David Opatoshu	...	Doctor Solomon
Anne Marisse	...	Leia Solomon
Zitto Kazann	...	Esteban
Beverly Dixon	...	Nurse
Alan Caillou	...	Police Inspector
Edward Ansara	...	Raymond Broido, banker
Jennifer Italiano	...	Jennifer (date)
Peggy Stewart	...	Woman Patient
Mickey Caruso	...	Construction Worker (as Mickey Carouso)
Chuck Hicks	...	Hospital Attendant

Runtime:

94 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:M | UK:15 | USA:R

Company:

IFI/Scope III

Fascinating low-budget junk!

John Saxon ("Black Christmas"!) and Lynda Day George ("Pieces"!) form a fabulous horror couple in this cheap and bizarre, but nevertheless intriguing little 80's film, set on a remote Southern island. The story isn't exactly original, blending cliché horror premises like haunted houses, soul-possessions, spiritual tribes and witchcraft, and yet, there isn't a dull moment to detect anywhere. This is largely thanks to the enthusiast acting performances and the surefooted direction of Herbert Freed. "Beyond Evil" is quite an oddity, because the special effects are very amateurish (sometimes even downright laughable) and still the wholesome remains a spooky and unsettling horror tale. Upon their arrival at the island, newlyweds Larry and Barbara are offered a beautiful and gigantic mansion to live in. Through a very atmospheric flashback-story, however, we learn that this same mansion was once homed by the sinister Alma Martin and her unfaithful husband. He poisoned Alma but her restless spirit still dwells around the mansion. Now, 100 years later, Alma Martin sees her change to reincarnate through Barbara and she won't hesitate to destroy everyone that tries to prevent this from happening. As previously stated, the special and visual effects are terrible… They often exclusively exist of funky green laser beams projected from the eyes of Alma Martin and they're not very convincing. Still, the film does offer some genuine shocks whenever budget isn't required, like Alma's ghostly appearances out of nowhere or the creepy shots inside the crypt. Especially since it's such an inexplicably fascinating movie, "Beyond Evil" should be categorized under 'interesting failures' and not just under 'worthless horror junk'! If you can pick up the DVD for a reasonably cheap price, it's definitely worth buying.