Director:
Lucio Fulci
Writers:
Dardano Sacchetti (story), Giorgio Mariuzzo (screenplay)
Stars:
Catriona MacColl, David Warbeck, Cinzia Monreale
Movie:
Considered to be Italian shock maestro, Lucio Fulci's finest work, 'The Beyond' takes the viewer on a demented journey into onscreen violence, that few other horror films can match.
In the opening monochrome prologue we see a lynch mob storm a Louisiana hotel in 1927, looking for a man named Schweick, who they believe to be a warlock. Savagely beating this man with chains, they take his lifeless body to the basement where they proceed to crucify him, before dosing his face in quicklime. Unfortunately this murderous act has unwittingly opened one of the seven doors to hell, leaving a lasting curse on the place, and those that enter. Moving to the present day, we meet Liza Merril – Fulci regular Catriona MacColl – who has inherited the hotel from a deceased uncle. Travelling from New York, Liza plans on reopening the hotel, despite the ominous warning from a mysterious, milky eyed woman. No sooner have the renovations begun, when a series of shocking events incur, that are just the start of Hell on Earth.
The second of a loose series of films known to Fulci fans as: 'The Gates of Hell Trilogy' - started the previous year with 'City of the Living Dead' and ending with 'House by the Cemetery' - these movies feature a constant barrage of violent, sometimes shocking images, shot with Fulci's trademark lingering style. Intentionally dreamlike and nonsensical, ones enjoyment of 'The Beyond', and other Fulci films, is down to the particular viewer, and their acceptance of his bizarre style of film-making. There seems to be two apposing viewpoints in relation to his work, while some find his films laughable and poorly made, others find them startling, unique and violently spectacular. I of course side very strongly with the latter, as I continue to explore his impressive canon of films, I'm constantly surprised and delighted by his craftsmanship, particularly his early giallo films.
Although prone to the noticeable fake effect, and blatant disregard for narrative sense, 'The Beyond' still has enough murderous moments to make any horror fans head spin. While I think Fulci may have more accomplished films in his oeuvre, this is certainly his most entertaining, offering up a nonstop, intestine shaking, thrill-ride, from the shocking opening murder, to the final bloody shootout in a hospital filled with Zombies.
Rating:
'The Beyond' is arguably horror legend Lucio Fulci's most satisfying film, its myriad of baroque scenes have become legend in the horror community. From the painfully slow death by tarantula, to the numerous scenes of melting and eviscerating flesh found within.