HorrorDramaHistoryThriller

Mark of the Devil

- Positively the most horrifying film ever made

In 1700s Austria, a witch-hunter's apprentice has doubts about the righteousness of witch-hunting when he witnesses the brutality, the injustice, the falsehood, the torture and the arbitrary killing that go with the job.

Release Date : 1970-02-19

Language :ItalianGerman

Adult : false

Status : Released

Production Company : Atlas International FilmAquila Film EnterprisesHIFI Stereo 70 Kg

Production Country : Germany

Alternative Titles :

Cast

Character Name : Lord Cumberland

Original Name : Herbert Lom

Gender : Male

Character Name : Count Christian von Meruh

Original Name : Udo Kier

Gender : Male

Character Name : Vanessa Benedikt

Original Name : Olivera Katarina

Gender : Female

Character Name : Albino

Original Name : Reggie Nalder

Gender : Male

Character Name : Jeff Wilkens - Executioner

Original Name : Herbert Fux

Gender : Male

Character Name : Advocato

Original Name : Johannes Buzalski

Gender : Male

Character Name : Baron Daumer

Original Name : Michael Maien

Gender : Male

Character Name : Deidre von Bergenstein

Original Name : Gaby Fuchs

Gender : Female

Character Name : Nobleman

Original Name : Adrian Hoven

Gender : Male

Character Name : Nobleman's Wife

Original Name : Ingeborg Schöner

Gender : Female

Character Name : Blond Child

Original Name : Percy Hoven

Gender : Male

Character Name : Friedrich

Original Name : Günter Clemens

Gender : Male

Character Name : Elisabeth

Original Name : Doris von Danwitz

Gender : Male

Character Name :

Original Name : Dorothea Carrera

Gender : Male

Character Name :

Original Name : Marlies Petersen

Gender : Male

Character Name :

Original Name : Bob Gerry

Gender : Male

Character Name : Narrator

Original Name : Friedrich Schoenfelder

Gender : Male

Reviews

Wuchak

@Wuchak

2023-08-30

**_Robbing, ravishing and murdering in the name of the Church_** In the early 1700s, a witchfinder & his apprentice (Herbert Lom and Udo Kier) come to a village in Austria to take over the job from a corrupt local witch hunter (Reggie Nalder). The noble pupil, however, starts to question his mentor when a woman he is fond of is falsely accused of witchcraft (Olivera Katarina). “Mark of the Devil” (1970) is a West German production inspired by the success of “Witchfinder General,” aka “Conqueror Worm.” Producers even wanted the same director, Michael Reeves, but he unexpectedly perished at the age of 25 of an accidental overdose. The opening wildly exaggerates the number of people who were executed between 1300-1800 under the accusation of being witches; it cites 8 million, but scholars place the figure around 40,000. Exaggerated or not, these kinds of injustices happened in the name of God, a scam to steal land, money, and other valuables from innocent people, not to mention rape beautiful women. The historicity of the proceedings is helped by being filmed in an Austrian castle where actual witch-finding interrogations had taken place (cited below). Other movies from that era inspired by “Witchfinder General” include “The Bloody Judge” with Christopher Lee, “The Blood on Satan’s Claw” and “Twins of Evil.” While “Mark of the Devil” proved even more successful at the box office due to its ad campaign, which gave free vomit bags to moviegoers, I prefer “Witchfinder General.” For one, the dubbing isn’t good in this and is reminiscent of Spaghetti Westerns. Yet “Mark” has its points of interest. It’s basically a meshing of “Witchfinder” and the later “The Last Valley.” Sure, it’s infamous in light of the several torture scenes, but they’re not so shocking these days after the so-called torture porn craze; they’re still disturbing and eye-opening though. What I appreciate most is the authentic locations and the character study of dubious people who gravitate toward positions of power so they can abuse innocent citizens, fulfill their lusts, and further the corrupt political institution that fuels the injustice. Thankfully, there are noble souls who recognize the corruption and take a stand. Yet even those who rise up in protest can make grave mistakes in their pursuit of justice. The film runs 1 hour, 37 minutes, and was shot in Castle Moosham in Salzburg, Austria, and nearby Mauterndorf, which is five miles east. Krems in Lower Austria is also listed, which is almost a 4-hour drive northeast of there. GRADE: B-

JPV852

@JPV852

2023-10-25

Surprisingly good and well acted drama featuring great performances from Herbert Lom, Udo Kier and Olivera Katarina. Some gruesome torture scenes isn't gratuitous and serves an actual story and characters. Seems like the sort of movie that Arrow would release and instead landed with Vinegar Syndrome, a distributor not exactly known for high quality works and more in the super low budge exploitation realm. Well worth checking out. **3.75/5**