Grade: D+
Synopsis: A psychiatrist gives four drug addicts from various walks of life LSD and documents their reactions to a Coffin Joe film.
Awakening of the Beast (Ritual dos Sádicos, O) is an ambitious film that ultimately collapses under the weight of its own aspirations.
While technically a Coffin Joe film, Awakening of the Beast marks a stark departure from the formula of its two prequels. Instead of Joe’s usual quest for the perfect woman to bear him a son, Awakening of the Beast tries to deliver a social commentary on drugs and morality, with Joe as only a peripheral figure, an iconic, dream stalking, boogeyman.
Unfortunately, writer/director/star José Mojica Marins isn’t quite disciplined enough to pull off such a lofty goal. While he does make some good points, Marins veers into exploitation with every other turn, and dilutes what could have been a much more powerful film. There are hints of greatness here, to be sure, but they’re buried in a mess of camera tricks, gratuitous violence, and nudity.
Bottom Line: Awakening of the Beast is a film unlike any you’ve probably seen and for some that will undoubtedly be enough of a recommendation, but fans of the earlier Coffin Joe pictures expecting a similar horror experience will likely be disappointed.
One Response on “Awakening of the Beast (1970)”:
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Jessi said:
D
To say it’s “unlike anything you’ve ever seen” is a nice way of putting how odd this film is. During the duration of the film my brow was furrowed with concern.
The nudity and drugs are both about 2 steps away from full blown porn and drug exploitation. However, these aspects of the film are still too lame of an interpretation to be erotic or intriquing either. If you must watch it- get a good buzz first, alcohol or otherwise.
