The Devil Incarnate – Mondo Macabro (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Spain, 1979
Director: Paul Naschy
Writers: Paul Naschy, Eduarda Targioni
Cast: Paul Naschy, Sara Lezana, Irene Gutiérrez Caba, Rafael Hernández, Eva León

Release Date: May 8th, 2018
Approximate running time: 92 Minutes 51 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: NR
Sound: LPCM Mono Spanish
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $29.95

"The action takes place in 16th century Spain. The Devil comes to earth to live as a mere mortal. Together with a human companion, Tomas, he travels, like Don Quixote, through the countryside and has a series of wild encounters with both men and women. On the way he acquires great wealth and even fathers a child. But too late he learns a terrible lesson about we devious humans." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.5/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, “brand new 4K restoration from original negative”.

The Devil Incarnate comes on a 25 GB single layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 22.4 GB

Feature: 20.6 GB

The source used for this transfer is in excellent shape. Colors and flesh tones look correct, details look sharp, black levels look strong throughout and grain remains intact.

Audio: 4.5/5

This release comes with one audio option, a LPCM mono mix in Spanish and included with this release are removable English subtitles. The audio sounds, clean, clear and balanced throughout.

Extras:

Extras for this release include the Mondo Macabro’s Promo Reel, an introduction with actor/director Paul Naschy (10 minutes 30 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Spanish with removable English subtitles), an interview with actor David Rocha (15 minutes 14 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Spanish with removable English subtitles), an interview with Sergio Monlina (29 minutes 40 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with Bruno Molina (29 minutes 40 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Spanish with removable English subtitles) and an audio commentary with film historian Troy Howarth.

Summary:

The premise of The Devil Incarnate poses what if the devil walked the earth disguised as a mortal. And while he roams the Earth, he finds himself as disciple who he teaches the finer points of being evil. With the film providing a very satisfying finale that is in line with the black humor that runs rampant throughout this film.

Content wise, The Devil Incarnate has all the ingredients that have since become synonymous with the 1970’s “Decameron” themed European sex comedies. The premise is superbly realized and the briskly paced narrative contains entertaining vignettes.

Performance wise the cast are all very good in their respective roles, especially Paul Naschy in the role of Leonardo (aka the devil in the flesh). He delivers an utterly convincing performance that perfectly captures evil personified. Another performance of note is David Rocha (Killing of the Dolls) in the role of Tomás, the devil’s apprentice.

From a production standpoint, there is not an area where this film does not excel. There is an ample amount of symbolism in The Devil Incarnate and the visuals take full advantage of the locations. Standout moments include, the scene where Leonardo torments Tomás’s blind master, the scene where Leonardo poses as an exorcist while staying at a convent, the scene where Leonardo shows Tomás disturbing glimpse of the future (images of from the World War’s) and the scene where Tomás’s turns the table on Leonardo, after he sold him out to a homosexual aristocrat.

The Devil Incarnate gets a definitive release from Mondo Macabro that comes with a solid audio/video presentation and a wealth of insightful extra content, highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer