THE DEVIL'S RAIN

Directed by Robert Fuest
Written by James Ashton, Gabe Essoe & Gerald Hopman
Cinematography by Álex Phillips Jr.
Music by Al De Lory
Cast: Ernest Borgnine, Tom Skerritt, Joan Prather, Eddie Albert, William Shatner, Ida Lupino, Keenan Wynn, John Travolta & Anton LaVey

1975/86 mins/Color/Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
2.35:1 anamorphic/English/US/NTSC Region 0

Review from the Dark Sky Films DVD

For centuries, Satanic priest John Corbis (Borgnine in one over the top performance) has been trying to find a book he onced possesed. The book in question lists the names of those who sold their souls to the devil.

One by one members of the Preston family, who are the not so secret owners of the book, are turned into devil servants with no eyes. Mark Preston (Shatner of STAR TREK fame) goes after Corbis but soon gets himself transformed and turned to the dark side. With the help of a psychic researcher Mark's brother, Tom (Tom Skerritt), and his wife Julie go on a search for him. But nothing will prepare them for what has been known as the most incredible ending of any motion picture.

With the International box office success of THE EXORCIST, it's easy to understand the Satanic "plague" it spawned on the horror cinema of the 1970s. THE DEVIL'S RAIN is one of the most memorable exemple. With it's exceptional cast and amazingly ooze melting ending, it stands above the rest as one very entertaining piece of celluloid. Satanist Anton LaVey, founder and High Priest of the Church of Satan and author of The Satanic Bible, is credited as the movie's technical advisor. Lavey also had a small role as the high priest along with his wife at the time. THE DEVIL'S RAIN also marks John Travolta's feature film debut.

THE DEVIL'S RAIN melts its way into DVD thanks to Dark Sky Films. The movie is presented in its original 2.35:1 aspect ratio and it is anamorphic. The image looks great with rich color saturation, no compression, artifacts or print damage. The English Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono track is crisp and clear.

The disc features a commentary track with director Robert Fuest moderated my Marcus Hearn. Director Robert Fuest, who was born in 1927, sounds a little tired on the track. Still it is very interesting especially with the help of the moderator who helps the conversation moving along. The British director previously gave us two genre classic; THE ABOMINABLE DR. PHIBES (1971) and its sequel, DR. PHIBES RISES AGAIN (1972).

We also get a very cool theatrical trailer which features some amazing artwork, three TV spots, a short Anton LaVey Newsereel and a Still gallery. Optional English subtitles are available. The movie is separated in 10 chapters, features animated main menu and a Dark Sky Films catalogue. VCI Video released the movie on DVD in 2000. This edition was not anamorphic and featured a Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono and a photo gallery.

"Heaven help us when the Devil's Rain!"

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Review by Kim Dubuisson. All Right Reserved. 2006. ©