Daliah Lavi plays Purificazione,a young woman who after having her amorous advances rejected by young man in her town resorts to witchcraft to try and win him over.When the townsfolk realise what she is doing everything untoward that happens is blamed on her.Soon they have her pegged as being possessed by a demon and an exorcism is carried out in the local church..."The Demon" by Brunello Rondi is an overlooked Italian horror film from early 60's with excellent central performance of Dalilah Lavi.The infamous 'spider walk' across the church floor scene obviously inspired William Peter Blatty's "The Exorcist".The climax is tragic and unforgettable.8 exorcists out of 10.
12 Reviews
Strega! Strega!
Bezenby1 April 2017
I have to admit that I have never watched someone throw a dead cat at someone else in a film before. I'm not sure if the dead cat was a metaphor for something or other, because The Demon struck me as one of those horror films that has one foot stuck in the Art-house, so everything may just represent something else.
What I gathered from the film is that the populace of rural Italy are a very superstitious bunch who are not very good at coping when one of their own exhibits the signs of severe mental illness. I'm guessing these days if someone had walked in on young Purif piercing her chest with a needle, gathering the blood in cotton, then burning it, then giving it to a young man to drink in some wine, they may have called in a Doctor rather than accuse her of being a witch.
The young man in question is Antonio (Wolff) and he is due to marry a more stable girl, much to Purif's dismay. Purif doesn't do herself any favours however by giving Antonio the wine, watches him drink it, then shouts something like "Ha! You're drinking my blood!" It may surprise you that Antonio goes ahead with the wedding anyway.
The director here goes out of his way to show that the people in this village have just as many strange routines as Purif, from hiding a blessed scythe under Antonio's wedding bed, or shouting at an oncoming storm to break and feed the crops with rain. Not a lot goes right for these folks and naturally they begin blaming the wild eyed girl who goes around saying she has a demon inside her.
I guess the question is: Does Purif have a demon in her? Antonio wakes up covered in boils, the candles in the church start burning low, a boy is found drowned and the last person to see him was Purif. I'd probably know the answer but the only word I understood during the final narrative was the word 'free'.
This is a good film that leaves it up to you to decide if it's a horror or not. There's plenty of scenes that must have shocked way back then (Purif's raped twice by dirty old men, she does a crazy spider walk while being exorcised, also tries to strangle a nun), so I'm not sure why this one is so obscure.
What I gathered from the film is that the populace of rural Italy are a very superstitious bunch who are not very good at coping when one of their own exhibits the signs of severe mental illness. I'm guessing these days if someone had walked in on young Purif piercing her chest with a needle, gathering the blood in cotton, then burning it, then giving it to a young man to drink in some wine, they may have called in a Doctor rather than accuse her of being a witch.
The young man in question is Antonio (Wolff) and he is due to marry a more stable girl, much to Purif's dismay. Purif doesn't do herself any favours however by giving Antonio the wine, watches him drink it, then shouts something like "Ha! You're drinking my blood!" It may surprise you that Antonio goes ahead with the wedding anyway.
The director here goes out of his way to show that the people in this village have just as many strange routines as Purif, from hiding a blessed scythe under Antonio's wedding bed, or shouting at an oncoming storm to break and feed the crops with rain. Not a lot goes right for these folks and naturally they begin blaming the wild eyed girl who goes around saying she has a demon inside her.
I guess the question is: Does Purif have a demon in her? Antonio wakes up covered in boils, the candles in the church start burning low, a boy is found drowned and the last person to see him was Purif. I'd probably know the answer but the only word I understood during the final narrative was the word 'free'.
This is a good film that leaves it up to you to decide if it's a horror or not. There's plenty of scenes that must have shocked way back then (Purif's raped twice by dirty old men, she does a crazy spider walk while being exorcised, also tries to strangle a nun), so I'm not sure why this one is so obscure.
A gem for horror and art buffs alike
spetersen-79-96204411 October 2020
With stark but glorious chiaroscuro and solid performances, Il Demonio is a creepy trip through a world of ritual, magic, and superstition. Ms. Lavi drives the film with her terror and passion. I felt like I was peeking into a world in which logic was replaced by myth. What an experience.
not a scene in this film that does not astound or disturb
christopher-underwood3 December 2012
Barely seen, underrated and overwhelming, this is an astonishing film anticipating The Exorcist by ten years yet having within it several key elements, not least the most incredible and prolonged spider walk - in a church! The black and white photography is wonderful, the soundtrack spot on, the dialogue excellent and the central performance of the possessed one, by Daliah Lavi, is hypnotic. After the opening sequence where we see her jerk her head at a sound within the house and pass her hair across her face I feel like applauding but consider it a little premature. No worry, there is not a scene in this film that does not astound or disturb. From the wondrous performance of the aforementioned Ms Lavi, the perfectly good support, or lack of, from Frank Wolff, to the fearful villagers and the daunting landscape, this is near perfect film making.
Stunning
jamiemiller-0761124 April 2022
A tough and, at times, heartbreaking film about a witch who places a spell on the man she loves so he'll break up with his wife and be with her and all the horror and drama it causes her and the entire town. Filmed in stark black and white, The Demon still packs a punch and showcases a very different kind of horror - the horror of humanity, group think, and mob mentality.
Powerful psychological horror/character study
drownsoda9027 December 2021
"Il demonio" follows Puri, a young peasant woman in a small Italian villa who is obsessed with Antonio, a married man. Puri's sickly fixation on Antonio leads her to practice witchcraft in an attempt to direct him to her, but instead, she becomes subject of a witch-hunt when she becomes apparently possessed.
This obscure Italian shocker predates mainstream possession film such as "The Exorcist" (by ten years!), and, while it is not as gratuitous as that film or the others in its wake, "Il demonio" is no less a powerful, artful exploration of obsession, superstition, and evil. One of its most intriguing components is that it consistently toes the line between "is it real?" and fully committing to being outright supernatural--at times, it appears that perhaps Puri is being persecuted for her zany (though ostensibly harmless and ineffective) attempts at witchcraft--at others, however, the reality of the situation is not so clear.
In either case, the character of Puri is a tragic one, as her mental illness is either misunderstood, or, perhaps, leads her to fall prey to a demonic force. Daliah Lavi's performance as Puri glues the film together, as she is both tragic and pitiful--Lavi's acting never goes too far over the edge, but it comes tantalizingly close. The film is further bolstered by its gorgeous, expressionistic imagery, with stark black-and-white photography pinning the characters against vast landscapes, at times resembling something you might see in an Ingmar Bergman feature.
The screenplay does feel a tad clunky in its final act, but its resolution brings it full circle in a befitting (albeit downbeat) manner. All in all, "Il demonio" is a powerful film that consistently leaves the audience turning it over in their heads. Ambiguity is very well utilized, and Lavi's riveting lead performance is key--be it a case of the psychological or the spiritual, "Il demonio" is potent no matter how you read it. 9/10.
This obscure Italian shocker predates mainstream possession film such as "The Exorcist" (by ten years!), and, while it is not as gratuitous as that film or the others in its wake, "Il demonio" is no less a powerful, artful exploration of obsession, superstition, and evil. One of its most intriguing components is that it consistently toes the line between "is it real?" and fully committing to being outright supernatural--at times, it appears that perhaps Puri is being persecuted for her zany (though ostensibly harmless and ineffective) attempts at witchcraft--at others, however, the reality of the situation is not so clear.
In either case, the character of Puri is a tragic one, as her mental illness is either misunderstood, or, perhaps, leads her to fall prey to a demonic force. Daliah Lavi's performance as Puri glues the film together, as she is both tragic and pitiful--Lavi's acting never goes too far over the edge, but it comes tantalizingly close. The film is further bolstered by its gorgeous, expressionistic imagery, with stark black-and-white photography pinning the characters against vast landscapes, at times resembling something you might see in an Ingmar Bergman feature.
The screenplay does feel a tad clunky in its final act, but its resolution brings it full circle in a befitting (albeit downbeat) manner. All in all, "Il demonio" is a powerful film that consistently leaves the audience turning it over in their heads. Ambiguity is very well utilized, and Lavi's riveting lead performance is key--be it a case of the psychological or the spiritual, "Il demonio" is potent no matter how you read it. 9/10.
Possessed
BandSAboutMovies14 April 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Purificata (Daliah Lavi, The Whip and the Body, Some Girls Do) is a young girl in Southern Italy who is obsessed with Antonion (Frank Wolff, Once Upon a Time In the West, Death Walks on High Heels) to the point that she gets him to drink her blood and nearly murders a cat outside his home as he attempts to consumate his marriage. That night, she's bound and assaulted by a shepherd and the first person that finds her, a young boy, soon dies after being near her.
Purificata is on record saying that she is a witch who speaks to Satan, so her family tries to heal her by having Zio Giuseppe exorcise her. He also assaults her, after which she finds Antonio plowing his fields. She begs for him to save her and he violently throws her to the ground. After, she begins to become possessed and the villagers try to set her ablaze. Her family rescues her for a time by burying her underground, but she escapes and is found by nuns as she hugs a tree.
The nuns seem to calm her until one says, "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit," and Purificata strangles her. All manner of welts appear on Antonio's body, who is told to burn an old tree in the middle of the village. He is met by Purificata and the two make love in the dirt. As the sun rises, he stabs her.
Directed by Brunello Rondi, who also made Black Emmanuelle, White Emmanuelle, and written by Luciano Martino and Ugo Guerra, who followed this with The Whip and the Body, this folk horror film feels brutally able to happen in the world we live in today. It shocked me numerous times and it's one I've thought about several times since I watched it. It's on the Severin All the Haunts Be Ours box set.
Purificata is on record saying that she is a witch who speaks to Satan, so her family tries to heal her by having Zio Giuseppe exorcise her. He also assaults her, after which she finds Antonio plowing his fields. She begs for him to save her and he violently throws her to the ground. After, she begins to become possessed and the villagers try to set her ablaze. Her family rescues her for a time by burying her underground, but she escapes and is found by nuns as she hugs a tree.
The nuns seem to calm her until one says, "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit," and Purificata strangles her. All manner of welts appear on Antonio's body, who is told to burn an old tree in the middle of the village. He is met by Purificata and the two make love in the dirt. As the sun rises, he stabs her.
Directed by Brunello Rondi, who also made Black Emmanuelle, White Emmanuelle, and written by Luciano Martino and Ugo Guerra, who followed this with The Whip and the Body, this folk horror film feels brutally able to happen in the world we live in today. It shocked me numerous times and it's one I've thought about several times since I watched it. It's on the Severin All the Haunts Be Ours box set.
The inspiration for "The Exorcist"?
gkrejci14 December 2008
Warning: Spoilers
I saw the 94 minute version. I don't understand Italian, so most of the dialogue was lost on me, but the film is still pretty easy to follow. I'm rather surprised no one has pointed out the similarities to "The Exorcist" yet. There's no mention of Blatty in the credits, yet you'll see many familiar scenarios: wild-eyed and mussed hair girl, spewing venomous cursing in a hoarse voice at the priest who brandishes a cross. Writhing in pain as an invisible force inflicts injury (and implied sexual assault). The famous pose of Linda Blair...on her knees on her bed, reaching up as if in pain as Pazuzu's statue envelopes her in light...is almost a perfect copy of a pose Dahlia Lavi strikes as the priest attempts to exorcise the demon in her in the church. The spitting in the face of the priest (sorry, no jet stream of bile). The reptilian-like tongue flicking out (in blasphemy to the cross)... For crying out loud, she even does the spider walk (!) while in the church. While most these scenes are considerably tamer and more subdued than the excesses seen in "The Exorcist", they are effectively creepy at times, especially the aforementioned "spider walk" scene. Lavi is actually a very beautiful woman, and while never really sporting any "scary" makeup, her expressions convey the demon inside her nearly as well as the creepy makeup effects used with Linda Blair. This movie precedes The Exorcist by 10 years, and I imagine it must have been pretty shocking in it's day.
I gave this film 5 stars only because i couldn't understand the dialogue. I suppose it could rise or fall either way depending on what is actually said. No fan of "The Exorcist" should miss this movie, simply to see all the similarities. Was "Il Demonio" a heavy influence for the makers of "The Exorcist"? Methinks so,... but see it,and judge for yourself.
I gave this film 5 stars only because i couldn't understand the dialogue. I suppose it could rise or fall either way depending on what is actually said. No fan of "The Exorcist" should miss this movie, simply to see all the similarities. Was "Il Demonio" a heavy influence for the makers of "The Exorcist"? Methinks so,... but see it,and judge for yourself.
Great Exploration of Religion and Pagan Ideas in a Small Village
Reviews_of_the_Dead8 February 2024
This was a movie that popped on to my radar when looking at a list on Letterboxd for the top-rated horror films of all time. I put it on a list of ones that I would see to help continue expanding my knowledge base. This appeared as the highest rated horror film from Italy that I hadn't seen so I figured this made for a good double feature with the most popular one for Journey with a Cinephile: A Horror Movie Podcast.
Synopsis: a lonely, sexually-uninhibited young peasant is subjected to an exorcism after she hexes a man who rejects her advances.
Now this begins with a disclaimer that this is a true story. The rites, spells and possessions are depicted as truthfully as possible. This is scientifically verified, but they also want us to know that there is pagan as well as religious beliefs here. I'd bet that this is closer than things we would get today. A big portion of this movie though shows us how the people in this village live and explaining the lengths that they go.
We are following Purificata (Daliah Lavi). It shows her as she wakes up, poking herself with a needle to the point where it draws blood. She then cuts off a lock of her hair and presses it against the wound with cloth. She then takes this to the kitchen where she burns it and then takes the ashes. It is at this point that she hears her father and mother calling out. She must hurry.
This young woman is doing all this as she is in love with Antonio (Frank Wolff). We see her go to church where those in attendance talk about her being a witch. This is loud enough for her to hear. I can see why they think this as she recites a curse. It is from here that she goes to Antonio's house and follows him. He visits his fiancée and her family. His soon to be wife is played by Rossana Rovere. When he leaves, Purfi cuts off his path and comes on to him. He rebuffs her advances but does kiss her. He blames her for hexing him though. She offers him wine and reveals that she did put a curse on him.
It doesn't seem to work like she wants though. Antonio gets married and Purfi tries to interrupt. People outside stopped her. She doesn't quit though. She tries other hexes and curses. This gets to the point where her family tries to help her by sending her to Uncle Giuseppe (Nicola Tagliacozzo). Something happens to her in his care though as he tries to 'exorcise her demons'. We also see that he might be the sheep herder that she encountered who also attacks her. Purfi is so madly in love with Antonio, despite what happens and she won't quit. We do see that this town blames her for more than what she is doing to this man as well.
That is where I'll leave my recap and introduction to the characters. Where I want to start is that this is an intriguing film that we are getting here. Seeing the title and the poster, I thought it made sense that this would be a possession film. Now what we get here is that, but not like what we get today post The Exorcist. This is a grounded film that is more looking at superstition and rituals, both pagan and religion based. I also believe that this is calling into question whether Purfi is possessed.
Let me start with her and delve deeper into this. It is interesting that the moment we meet her, she is doing a ritual. She then goes to church and continues to recite her curse on Antonio. She is madly in love with him and he doesn't reciprocate those feelings. Even when this man rebuffs her efforts and her life is on the line, she still calls out to him. Now I'll admit, I've been head over heels for someone. I could see myself doing this to an extent. It is also a different time where there are less men around so I get it. Eventually though you must look at herself and realize it isn't going to end well. I do think that Lavi was solid in her portrayal here. She brings this character to life.
I want to stick with this character and look at something more about whether she is a witch. Now she claims to be. She believes that she communes with the devil. I don't think she is or possessed. She tries doing these rituals. Part of this is that everyone in town is also superstitious that they believe it is working. We see this, even with religious people as they prepare Antonio and his wife's wedding bed. They try to ward off rain clouds as well. There is also a couple exorcisms here to help Purfi. To me though, this is just people believing something and using evidence that isn't correlated. I also believe we get people who aren't accountable for their actions. Multiple times we see Antonio give in to his lust, then blame her for hexing him. This embodies an issue I have with religion and the people that follow it. I'll admit, I love the social commentary we get here.
That should be enough for the story. It isn't the deepest, but it doesn't have to be. This is more about getting what I've shared and seeing how the villagers react. What makes it work is the acting. I've already said that Lavi was solid. I'd also say that Wolff is good as this man who is her target. She is in love with him. I get the idea that he has lust for her, but because she is a witch, he knows that it won't end well for them. He instead wants to marry another and have a large family. Purfi needs to move on and respect what he's said. I get it though. I also enjoyed the performance of Anna MarÃa Aveta and Franca Mazzoni. The former is Sister Angela where the other is Mother Superior. The latter wants to help Purfi, but they need her to want to help herself. Sister Angela believes the stories that she is possessed by a demon. I'd also say that Dario Dolci was good as Don Tommaso. He seems to want to help. The role that bothered me most was Tagliacozzo's as Uncle Giuseppe. It is heartbreaking what we have there. The acting was solid across the board.
All that is left then is filmmaking. This is well-made. It isn't shocking to learn that Rondi seemed like he worked with Federico Fellini so that is part of it. It also doesn't hurt that Luciano Martino worked on this behind the camera along with his brother, Sergio. Now that I've given this information, the cinematography here is great. It captures that this is a small village in the middle of the Italian countryside. That adds to the realism of the movie. There aren't a lot in the way of effects, but we also don't necessarily need them. I did like seeing the different rituals that are being set up and used. Other than that, the soundtrack fit what was needed. It is subtle and subdued, but that adds to the fear in my opinion as well as the atmosphere.
In conclusion, this is a well-made movie. We aren't getting a traditional possession or exorcism movie. It also is coming out before The Exorcist so that is part of it. What we get instead is looking at religion and how it isn't that much different from pagan ideas. Both are doing rituals that don't necessarily fall in line. I thought that the acting was good. Lavi carries this and everyone pushes her to where she ends up. Purfi is quite frustrating as well. I thought that this is well made with the cinematography being the strongest aspect there. Not one that I can recommend to everyone. This is more of an arthouse movie that is carried by great acting. If that is what you're looking for, then give this a watch for sure.
My Rating: 8 out of 10.
Synopsis: a lonely, sexually-uninhibited young peasant is subjected to an exorcism after she hexes a man who rejects her advances.
Now this begins with a disclaimer that this is a true story. The rites, spells and possessions are depicted as truthfully as possible. This is scientifically verified, but they also want us to know that there is pagan as well as religious beliefs here. I'd bet that this is closer than things we would get today. A big portion of this movie though shows us how the people in this village live and explaining the lengths that they go.
We are following Purificata (Daliah Lavi). It shows her as she wakes up, poking herself with a needle to the point where it draws blood. She then cuts off a lock of her hair and presses it against the wound with cloth. She then takes this to the kitchen where she burns it and then takes the ashes. It is at this point that she hears her father and mother calling out. She must hurry.
This young woman is doing all this as she is in love with Antonio (Frank Wolff). We see her go to church where those in attendance talk about her being a witch. This is loud enough for her to hear. I can see why they think this as she recites a curse. It is from here that she goes to Antonio's house and follows him. He visits his fiancée and her family. His soon to be wife is played by Rossana Rovere. When he leaves, Purfi cuts off his path and comes on to him. He rebuffs her advances but does kiss her. He blames her for hexing him though. She offers him wine and reveals that she did put a curse on him.
It doesn't seem to work like she wants though. Antonio gets married and Purfi tries to interrupt. People outside stopped her. She doesn't quit though. She tries other hexes and curses. This gets to the point where her family tries to help her by sending her to Uncle Giuseppe (Nicola Tagliacozzo). Something happens to her in his care though as he tries to 'exorcise her demons'. We also see that he might be the sheep herder that she encountered who also attacks her. Purfi is so madly in love with Antonio, despite what happens and she won't quit. We do see that this town blames her for more than what she is doing to this man as well.
That is where I'll leave my recap and introduction to the characters. Where I want to start is that this is an intriguing film that we are getting here. Seeing the title and the poster, I thought it made sense that this would be a possession film. Now what we get here is that, but not like what we get today post The Exorcist. This is a grounded film that is more looking at superstition and rituals, both pagan and religion based. I also believe that this is calling into question whether Purfi is possessed.
Let me start with her and delve deeper into this. It is interesting that the moment we meet her, she is doing a ritual. She then goes to church and continues to recite her curse on Antonio. She is madly in love with him and he doesn't reciprocate those feelings. Even when this man rebuffs her efforts and her life is on the line, she still calls out to him. Now I'll admit, I've been head over heels for someone. I could see myself doing this to an extent. It is also a different time where there are less men around so I get it. Eventually though you must look at herself and realize it isn't going to end well. I do think that Lavi was solid in her portrayal here. She brings this character to life.
I want to stick with this character and look at something more about whether she is a witch. Now she claims to be. She believes that she communes with the devil. I don't think she is or possessed. She tries doing these rituals. Part of this is that everyone in town is also superstitious that they believe it is working. We see this, even with religious people as they prepare Antonio and his wife's wedding bed. They try to ward off rain clouds as well. There is also a couple exorcisms here to help Purfi. To me though, this is just people believing something and using evidence that isn't correlated. I also believe we get people who aren't accountable for their actions. Multiple times we see Antonio give in to his lust, then blame her for hexing him. This embodies an issue I have with religion and the people that follow it. I'll admit, I love the social commentary we get here.
That should be enough for the story. It isn't the deepest, but it doesn't have to be. This is more about getting what I've shared and seeing how the villagers react. What makes it work is the acting. I've already said that Lavi was solid. I'd also say that Wolff is good as this man who is her target. She is in love with him. I get the idea that he has lust for her, but because she is a witch, he knows that it won't end well for them. He instead wants to marry another and have a large family. Purfi needs to move on and respect what he's said. I get it though. I also enjoyed the performance of Anna MarÃa Aveta and Franca Mazzoni. The former is Sister Angela where the other is Mother Superior. The latter wants to help Purfi, but they need her to want to help herself. Sister Angela believes the stories that she is possessed by a demon. I'd also say that Dario Dolci was good as Don Tommaso. He seems to want to help. The role that bothered me most was Tagliacozzo's as Uncle Giuseppe. It is heartbreaking what we have there. The acting was solid across the board.
All that is left then is filmmaking. This is well-made. It isn't shocking to learn that Rondi seemed like he worked with Federico Fellini so that is part of it. It also doesn't hurt that Luciano Martino worked on this behind the camera along with his brother, Sergio. Now that I've given this information, the cinematography here is great. It captures that this is a small village in the middle of the Italian countryside. That adds to the realism of the movie. There aren't a lot in the way of effects, but we also don't necessarily need them. I did like seeing the different rituals that are being set up and used. Other than that, the soundtrack fit what was needed. It is subtle and subdued, but that adds to the fear in my opinion as well as the atmosphere.
In conclusion, this is a well-made movie. We aren't getting a traditional possession or exorcism movie. It also is coming out before The Exorcist so that is part of it. What we get instead is looking at religion and how it isn't that much different from pagan ideas. Both are doing rituals that don't necessarily fall in line. I thought that the acting was good. Lavi carries this and everyone pushes her to where she ends up. Purfi is quite frustrating as well. I thought that this is well made with the cinematography being the strongest aspect there. Not one that I can recommend to everyone. This is more of an arthouse movie that is carried by great acting. If that is what you're looking for, then give this a watch for sure.
My Rating: 8 out of 10.
An underhanded, brilliant, all too relevant sidelong take on horror
I_Ailurophile29 October 2023
On the one hand it's hard to imagine that it's what filmmaker Brunello Rondi intended, or any of his collaborators, which would mean merely that the film comes off very differently sixty years later; on the other hand, the narrative thrust seems so clear to me that it's hard to imagine Rondi could have intended anything else. 'Il demonio' spends the preponderance of its runtime coming off like thinly-veiled ethnography, illustrating that the differences between folk beliefs, black magic, regional religious practices, and established dogma are scant and minor; if not for labels and popularity there would be no meaningful distinction. There's also the fact that while Puri can hardly be said to be in the right, everyone else around her is so harsh and cruel, even if only in how they browbeat and ostracize her, that she is nevertheless the most sympathetic character in the film. With this in mind every action of the villagers, and even Puri's own family, comes across in turn as scapegoating, as religious persecution, as deeply regressive superstition, and as mob rule more than as any actual combat against evil forces, let alone an effort to help someone who is possessed. With this in mind the apparent possession of the young woman, and especially the attempted exorcism, come across not as an earnest supernatural event but as delusion and madness brought about by the constant assaults from all sides. Puri's greatest crime isn't covetous lust, or the supposed hexing of Antonio, but simply the fact of not marching lockstep with the other villagers, and maybe even more than that, of simply being that person that everyone has rather arbitrarily decided is a pariah. Under those circumstances, what reasonable person wouldn't react violently to further targeted invocation of religion? 'Il demonio' is a horror film, most surely, yet the horror arises from how Puri is treated rather than from anything she does, or any affliction she suffers.
Whatever else one might say about the feature, there's no disputing how superbly it was made. Carlo Bellero's cinematography is astoundingly crisp and vivid, a standard-bearer for the early 60s, and through his eye every detail is made all so vibrant. Even the use of lighting and shadows here is extraordinary, almost making this a must-see in and of itself. The filming locations are utterly gorgeous, and the art direction is splendid. Those stunts and effects that are employed look fantastic; the costume design, hair, and makeup are lovely. Utilized rather sparingly, Piero Piccioni's nevertheless reliably adds flavor to any given scene where it raises its head, and Rondi's direction is magnificently smart in shaping every moment to maximize the intended effect. Rondi maintains a very flat, low-key tone, letting the course of events speak entirely for itself, and the spikes of emotion and energy that come with each beat are all the more momentous in contrast. Above all, the cast give exceptional performances that capitalize on the simmering tension, hate, and otherwise heightened feelings. That praise extends even to those in the smallest supporting parts, but it's safe to say that Daliah Lavi stands out most as Puri with a highly dynamic, varied display of acting that is undeniably the centerpiece of 'Il demonio.' Strictly speaking the narrative may be up for interpretation, but there's no arguing against the excellence that all contributed both in front of and behind the camera, and Lavi is very deservedly the focal point of all good will here.
The story is nasty and brutish, a cavalcade of all the worst abuses that can be inflicted on a person by those would proclaim themselves to be virtuous and godly. In that, there is stark, horrid relevance in this 1963 movie to the world of 2023 as persecution and violence against marginalized groups grows ever more extreme. I can understand how not everyone may look at Rondi's work and see the same thing I do, but even without drawing parallels the through-line of the tale here seems readily apparent to me, for the ills inflicted upon Puri are wildly disproportionate to anything she has done, or believes she has done, or is believed to have done. One might say that I'm applying twenty-first century values to the beliefs and norms of another time, but supposing that's true, someone needs to inform the twenty-first century equivalents of the villagers here that they are creatures out of time. All this is to say that 'Il demonio' is raptly absorbing and compelling from the very start. At no time is it specifically thrilling, or chilling, and it carries itself with the airs of an ordinary contemporary drama (as a contemporary example, consider Vittorio De Sica's 'La ciociara'). With that dry tenor, however, the power of the storytelling resonates even more on its own, and the proceedings are grim and horrifying in an underhanded manner, with more lasting impact, that few more conventional horror flicks can claim. For various reasons it won't appeal to all, but there's much more to digest here than a mere horror-thriller or monster flick, and for those who are willing and able to engage with such thoughtfully rendered, nuanced fare, the viewing experience is immensely satisfying. Think well on what type of films you enjoy before sitting to watch, but otherwise, 'Il demonio' is a brilliant slice of cinema that deserves far more viewership and recognition.
Whatever else one might say about the feature, there's no disputing how superbly it was made. Carlo Bellero's cinematography is astoundingly crisp and vivid, a standard-bearer for the early 60s, and through his eye every detail is made all so vibrant. Even the use of lighting and shadows here is extraordinary, almost making this a must-see in and of itself. The filming locations are utterly gorgeous, and the art direction is splendid. Those stunts and effects that are employed look fantastic; the costume design, hair, and makeup are lovely. Utilized rather sparingly, Piero Piccioni's nevertheless reliably adds flavor to any given scene where it raises its head, and Rondi's direction is magnificently smart in shaping every moment to maximize the intended effect. Rondi maintains a very flat, low-key tone, letting the course of events speak entirely for itself, and the spikes of emotion and energy that come with each beat are all the more momentous in contrast. Above all, the cast give exceptional performances that capitalize on the simmering tension, hate, and otherwise heightened feelings. That praise extends even to those in the smallest supporting parts, but it's safe to say that Daliah Lavi stands out most as Puri with a highly dynamic, varied display of acting that is undeniably the centerpiece of 'Il demonio.' Strictly speaking the narrative may be up for interpretation, but there's no arguing against the excellence that all contributed both in front of and behind the camera, and Lavi is very deservedly the focal point of all good will here.
The story is nasty and brutish, a cavalcade of all the worst abuses that can be inflicted on a person by those would proclaim themselves to be virtuous and godly. In that, there is stark, horrid relevance in this 1963 movie to the world of 2023 as persecution and violence against marginalized groups grows ever more extreme. I can understand how not everyone may look at Rondi's work and see the same thing I do, but even without drawing parallels the through-line of the tale here seems readily apparent to me, for the ills inflicted upon Puri are wildly disproportionate to anything she has done, or believes she has done, or is believed to have done. One might say that I'm applying twenty-first century values to the beliefs and norms of another time, but supposing that's true, someone needs to inform the twenty-first century equivalents of the villagers here that they are creatures out of time. All this is to say that 'Il demonio' is raptly absorbing and compelling from the very start. At no time is it specifically thrilling, or chilling, and it carries itself with the airs of an ordinary contemporary drama (as a contemporary example, consider Vittorio De Sica's 'La ciociara'). With that dry tenor, however, the power of the storytelling resonates even more on its own, and the proceedings are grim and horrifying in an underhanded manner, with more lasting impact, that few more conventional horror flicks can claim. For various reasons it won't appeal to all, but there's much more to digest here than a mere horror-thriller or monster flick, and for those who are willing and able to engage with such thoughtfully rendered, nuanced fare, the viewing experience is immensely satisfying. Think well on what type of films you enjoy before sitting to watch, but otherwise, 'Il demonio' is a brilliant slice of cinema that deserves far more viewership and recognition.
I Feel a Responsibility to Review This Film
thalassafischer27 March 2023
Until I posted this review, only 8 people had reviewed Il demonio and I feel like that's a real shame that it does not get the attention of some of Bava's or Fulci's films. In fact, I don't have hard proof of this but I believe Il Demonio was Fulci's inspiration (in part) for Don't Torture a Duckling.
Il demonio is a genuinely disturbing film and there is no way that it's not a classical inspiration to later films about witches and witchcraft. Like Fucli's later film, Brunello Rondi set his film somewhere in an undeveloped area of rural Southern Italiy where superstition and ignorance prevent women from expressing themselves sexually or at all as individuals, and even in the instance of mental illness or emotional disturbance, families abuse their sick relative and authoritarian religious figures abuse and take advantage of mentally unstable people, particularly sexually abusing women and young people.
Il demonio may even be landmark for its time, i am not enough of an "expert" about film to say for sure - because it challenges the Roman Catholic Church head-on in a way that craftier arthouse flicks or more satirical horror films about Satanists or hippies did not in the 1960s.
A bleak portrait of a woman abused by her father and sexually molested by religious figures and eventually other men does serve as a mirror for Don't Torture a Duckling nearly a decade later with its theme of religious abuse and a very specific character rejected as a witch by the entire town for having mental health issues or emotional disturbance after losing her infant child.
I just wish Il demonio had been in color. One of my gripes about Don't Torture a Duckling which keeps me from rating it a 10 as a giallo is Fulci's outright derision and snobbery towards Southern Italian peasants (Fulci was born in Rome) that is illustrated by how ridiculous most of the peasants are and how oppressive BROWN is throughout the film. Maybe that's how Fulci felt, maybe he was trying to communicate oppression by lack of color, but Southern Italian culture is generally the opposite - so colorful, bold and theatrical that I really do wonder what Il demonio would have looked like in color. I bet it would have won awards.
Il demonio is a genuinely disturbing film and there is no way that it's not a classical inspiration to later films about witches and witchcraft. Like Fucli's later film, Brunello Rondi set his film somewhere in an undeveloped area of rural Southern Italiy where superstition and ignorance prevent women from expressing themselves sexually or at all as individuals, and even in the instance of mental illness or emotional disturbance, families abuse their sick relative and authoritarian religious figures abuse and take advantage of mentally unstable people, particularly sexually abusing women and young people.
Il demonio may even be landmark for its time, i am not enough of an "expert" about film to say for sure - because it challenges the Roman Catholic Church head-on in a way that craftier arthouse flicks or more satirical horror films about Satanists or hippies did not in the 1960s.
A bleak portrait of a woman abused by her father and sexually molested by religious figures and eventually other men does serve as a mirror for Don't Torture a Duckling nearly a decade later with its theme of religious abuse and a very specific character rejected as a witch by the entire town for having mental health issues or emotional disturbance after losing her infant child.
I just wish Il demonio had been in color. One of my gripes about Don't Torture a Duckling which keeps me from rating it a 10 as a giallo is Fulci's outright derision and snobbery towards Southern Italian peasants (Fulci was born in Rome) that is illustrated by how ridiculous most of the peasants are and how oppressive BROWN is throughout the film. Maybe that's how Fulci felt, maybe he was trying to communicate oppression by lack of color, but Southern Italian culture is generally the opposite - so colorful, bold and theatrical that I really do wonder what Il demonio would have looked like in color. I bet it would have won awards.
Il Demonio is a unique addition to the witchcraft/exorcism genre
kevin_robbins23 April 2024
I recently watched the Italian classic 🇮🇹 Il Demonio (1963) on Shudder. The storyline follows a young lady who falls in love and becomes obsessed with the wrong man, who happens to be engaged to another. As he marries, she spirals into madness and her erratic behavior is mistaken as witchcraft by the locals. Along her tumultuous journey she is beaten and raped, further fueling her descent into madness. Attempts of an exorcism by a priest only further her plight. Will she find salvation, or will her madness cause her to seek revenge for the wrongs done to her?
This picture is directed by Brunello Rondi (Black Velvet) and stars Daliah Lavi (Casino Royale), Frank Wolff (Once Upon a Time in the West), Anna MarÃa Aveta (The Wedding March) and Rossana Rovere (A Quiet Place to Kill).
This film delivers an amazing and compelling narrative, anchored by Lavi's compelling performance. She is both gorgeous and authentically raw. There's some scenes in here that were definitely stolen for the making of The Exorcist. The behaviors are abstract and wild and the exorcism scene is phenomenal. The belt sequence was a bit much and the goat and wedding scenes were intense. This movie takes viewers on an emotional rollercoaster, showcasing the relentless suffering of its protagonist, making for a profoundly melancholic experience. The concluding quote offers a fitting end to the films narrative arc.
In conclusion, Il Demonio is a unique addition to the witchcraft/exorcism genre. I would score this an 8/10 and strongly recommend it.
This picture is directed by Brunello Rondi (Black Velvet) and stars Daliah Lavi (Casino Royale), Frank Wolff (Once Upon a Time in the West), Anna MarÃa Aveta (The Wedding March) and Rossana Rovere (A Quiet Place to Kill).
This film delivers an amazing and compelling narrative, anchored by Lavi's compelling performance. She is both gorgeous and authentically raw. There's some scenes in here that were definitely stolen for the making of The Exorcist. The behaviors are abstract and wild and the exorcism scene is phenomenal. The belt sequence was a bit much and the goat and wedding scenes were intense. This movie takes viewers on an emotional rollercoaster, showcasing the relentless suffering of its protagonist, making for a profoundly melancholic experience. The concluding quote offers a fitting end to the films narrative arc.
In conclusion, Il Demonio is a unique addition to the witchcraft/exorcism genre. I would score this an 8/10 and strongly recommend it.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
