Satan’s Blade: A Cult Slasher Resurrected by Arrow Video on Blu-ray and DVD Combo!

Satan's Blade blu-ray cover artwork from Arrow Video

The new generation will never understand the thrill of the hunt when entering video rental stores back in the day. Rows upon rows of puffa box or cracked plastic cases showcasing the most incredible art or gory pics in the horror sections — even the sci-fi and action flicks had these so let’s not forget. With only a few magazines as guides to what was good or bad, you usually took the risk and most of the time got burned, but even then, you had a fun bloody movie to view.

If it wasn’t for the multitude of collectors who cried out over the years for the thousands of lost films from VHS to DVD, then Blu-ray, companies such as Arrow Video and the rest wouldn’t exist in the way they do now. Arrow have become one of the world’s leading forces in restoring and adding tons of incredible extras to films that deserve a new life (and some that should have stayed forgotten).

Take for example, The Mutilator (see Gore Galore: ‘The Mutilator’ Blu-ray Review – A Crimson Splattered ‘80s Slasher Gem here) not the greatest of films, sure, however Arrow heaped a big pile of extras as rewards for taking the plunge, and let’s be honest, the film is super awesome in a bad kind of way. Plus, it has amazing effects.

Amazing effects isn’t something to be used for Satan’s Blade, but they’re serviceable. This is an oddity and would have been so much more in history had the producers left it alone and released it when it should have been. Director, L. Scott Castillo Jr. explains on the extras that his movie should have come out around 1980/81 yet didn’t until 1984 — straight to video! The producers shelved it, then added gore, nudity and “a hint of lesbianism” (quoted from his interview) finally got it out. Let’s just imagine had it been unleashed in 1980 or 1981 – historically two of the greatest years in horror! It could have possibly been lost among the holocaust trying to fight against juicier flicks, but by 1984, the filming and style was so dated. On IMDb, the main actor gives it a 1 out of 10 and explains why, sharing a few memories from the set, which is interesting to read. Then there’s one of the writers on there, and an actress… blimey.

The whole style and feel of Satan’s Blade really brings about a kind of flashback to Don Dohler’s Fiend (see review of Fiend from Retromedia here) even having the same glowing red special effects for the start when we see a knife thrown into a tree — it begins to glow an eerie way. This happens in a snowy mountain terrain with loads of trees and crackles over the screen. Beautiful! They’ve left the fried chicken sound and the abnormalities on the negatives including cue marks (or as John Carpenter named them, cigarette burns). Oh my word this is great! The locations are wonderful, this is Big Bear in Georgia (sometimes cutting to Julian, California) and fits the mood perfectly.

We cut to a bank robbery and the assailants shoot two women in the building and run off. The gore is very grindhouse ‘70s era film, nothing special, just splattering. The two actresses are quite convincing in their death throes. The robbers hide out in a ski resort lodge, revealing themselves as two ladies waiting for the arrival of their accomplice, George. After hiding the loot, one woman turns on the other and kills her — mucho bare breasts and panties on show. Dragging the body outside, she’s stabbed in the back by the very blade we saw at the start.

Two comedic police officers investigate the crime scene, and the lodge is open for more renters the very next day. Wow. It could be something to do the legend of a mountain man who emerges from the lake sometimes, says an old lady to our big group of travellers and holiday couples who arrive and stand around dutifully listening to her tale. Two couples staying together turn out to be our main cast, they group of young girls in the other lodge are expendable apart from one, of course. As for our couples, Al is useless at everything but acts like a big man, his wife, Lil, is very happy and dutiful in getting him a beer, etcetera. Tony and Lisa are a bit more main to the drama as they are struggling due to his constant lawyer training which he’s finally achieved all. Lisa has stuck by him patiently, but they are quite tense, not helped by Stephanie, a girl from the gaggle of young ‘uns who has her eyes on him.

The two gents leave their wives to unpack as they go to fill up the fridge, the women have some very painfully unfunny dialogue, then Tony and Al speak to a rubber faced fisherman (played by the guy who handled the effects) learning more about the dark legends of the area. Back at the lodge, they send their wives to bed and share a bottle of JDs (getting drunk very fast) More painful dialogue — according to Tom, who played Tony, this was mainly improv – looks like Al has vomited on himself at one point — this is not shown nor explained!

The girl group settle down with drinks. One of their number, who’s had a recent trauma in her life, has an atmospheric dream about everyone being slaughtered. This sequence is helped by some amazingly creepy sounds, which are a highlight thus so far. Our drunken fool heroes decide to scare the girls and get their heads kicked in for their efforts, much to their enjoyment. Stephanie straddles Tony in the snow, quite amused. Of course, Lisa sees this.

The next morning, Lil happily wakes a hungover Al and drags him out. We’re left with a very tense Tony and Lisa. He buggers off fishing. Stephanie sees him go so she follows. Of course, Lisa sees this again! It so happens that Tony is a loyal guy and gently rejects Stephanie. She’s a bit annoyed but decides being his friend is better than nothing. He shows her how to fish. Afterwards, Stephanie wanders the slopes for what seems like (to the viewer) hours, whilst Tony explains everything to Lisa who finally sees they are a solid couple. Cue some really cringeworthy sexual dialogue where everything centres on his career in law: “Now… do I look guilty to you?” “Maybe not, I’m going to have to give this case close personal attention.” Oh, piss off you silly bastards!!!

Finally, by the 54-minute mark, the cast depleting killings begin with gusto, as an unseen murderer works his or her way through the youthful gang of girls one by one with a lot of gore. Stephanie is the only survivor; she seeks help from our couples and the fun really begins…

What is good about the grand finale of the film is the twist in our whodunnit movie isn’t an obvious choice, bringing about a supernatural aura to the blade used throughout — Satan’s blade! The cast are okay. No one is pulling up trees, but no one badly acts. Sadly, nobody made it much further in films after this. Tom Bongiorno may be quick to rip into the film, but he has the lead role, and his character isn’t too badly put together. His little tirade reminds me of Nicky Henson of Psychomania (see review Psychomania here) who was very chuckly about that movie (“It’s crap!”) yet he didn’t do much with his acting work afterwards. At least a cult film immortalises everyone forever, better or worse. Dickheads like this truly annoy me. Of all the films I’ve had quick roles in, one in particular wasn’t a wonderful experience, but you’d never know which one because I won’t ever tell all as I’m a grateful person.

Arrow Video are a bit surprising on the slim extras this time around. Hell, did they approach Tom for an interview? The director gives us a few bits and pieces. Pam, the lady who interviews him sounds and looks very uncomfortable, by the way. He tries to be upbeat, making one or two little quips but Pam just stares at him deadpan. We all end up feeling uncomfortable viewing this. 32minutes is a struggle, Scott “ers” loads. He stumbles over his memories which he did admit at the start would be an issue as it was so long ago. He does say that he had (at the time of filming this) another film, “…in the can… but it’s digital, er, so it’s not actually in the can… it’s in the hard drive… er…” he laughs, Pam just stares. It’s a “…sex and violence cop show…” He mentions it should be out 2015, but as of now, nothing, unless I’m not searching hard enough. Any information please let me know… er…

Scott has brought along a couple of videos, a film can, and one of three knives used in the movie. He’s so proud of Satan’s Blade, that much is apparent, he even shows off Fangoria issue 42 because it made the cover. You can hear the excitement in his voice talking about it, bless. I really like this guy. He’s genuine. Shame he didn’t do anything else (aside from this unreleased thing) and double shame Satan’s Blade was so destroyed without a chance to succeed. The early ‘80s drive-ins and flea pit cinemas, then the rental stores would have given it something of a brief life. At least Arrow have resurrected it from the abyss of forgotten films. It’s easy to laugh at low budget movies, yet if you don’t have a clue how much work and stress goes into making one, whether it be back then — in fact any decade — then please shut your laughter the fuck up! Sit back and enjoy. Laugh for the right reasons! Laugh because it’s entertaining in its cheesy ways! There is a difference, malicious leering chortles should not be used (okay, there are one or two exceptions to that rule, I admit… er…)

Satan’s Blade is ridiculous and brilliant at the same time. For a majority of the run nothing much happens, but it doesn’t seem to drag. The characters are likeable, not in a “Please don’t kill them” mode, but they keep the movie chugging along. Scott had a knack of using his locations well adding so much ripe chill to proceedings.

Released as a double Blu-ray and DVD combo as per most of the Arrow library it’s a worthy addition to any collection.

AKA: Espada satánica, La espada de Satán, Satan’s Blood

Directed by: L. Scott Castillo Jr.
Written by: L. Scott Castillo Jr., Thomas Cue
Produced by: L. Scott Castillo Jr.
Cinematography by: Terry Kempf
Edited by: Martin Jaquish
Music by: Martin Jaquish
Special Effects by: Paul Batson
Cast: Tom Bongiorno, Thomas Cue, Janeen Lowe, Stephanie Leigh Steel, Eliza Malinovitz, Ramona Andrada, Ski Mark Ford, Paul Batson
Year: 1980
Country: USA
Language: English
Colour: Colour
Runtime: 1h 23 min

Studio: M.C. Productions, Olive Films
Distribution: Arrow Video