Review by Louis Fowler | Available from Mondo Macabro | Buy at Amazon.com
It seems like almost every month I have a new cinematic obsession that I just can’t get enough of. Be it Aussie actioners or Italian crime-capers or late-60s LSD scare films, it never fails that I’ll get hooked on something different every 30 days. And this month is no different. Right now, I’m all about the mid-80s Indonesian sword-and-sorcery martial arts films. And what brought on this admittedly esoteric love? THE DEVIL'S SWORD, arguably one of the most entertaining films ever made.
Combining the most whacked of whacked-out plot elements from the insanest of the kung-fu "hero-on-a-quest" films with a decidedly spiritual, almost existential Alexandro Jorodowsky feel, THE DEVIL'S SWORD is an otherworldly, highly hallucinogenic sojourn that begs for repeat viewing after repeat viewing. Even watching it for the fourth time, I still have a hard time believing that this is actually a film that was made for public consumption (albeit Indonesian consumption) and not some tripping hippie’s fever dream. Backwards-jumping crocodile men, grimy zombie, a flashlight-eyed cyclops and a cadre of well-trained, well-versed in black magic enemies – including a witch who can split in half and embed herself in rock – as well as the Devil herself, is just the tip of this well-sharpened Sword.
Barry Prima, the Indonesian Chuck Norris, is Mandala, whom, after much reverse-motion special effects fighting at a wedding, puts himself on a noble quest to rescue the bride’s husband, who has been kidnapped by the evil Crocodile Queen, who, is, not to mince words, a big-ass ho. Mandala gathers a crew along the way, and, even though they are supposed to have traversed many miles, it seems as though they go from a hill to a lake to a cave. Of course the aforementioned enemies are encountered along the way, none of which really make any sense – scenes that go on for minutes seem to lack any hard logic – but it’s such a blast to the senses, all you can do is throw your remote to the ground and say "Who cares – there’s dudes shooting lasers out of their hands!"
And really, that’s all I need to be happy.
Mondo Macabro’s print is, of course, pristine – it’s the cleanest looking Indonesian film I have ever seen. Of all the special features, the best has to be a highly uncomfortable, mostly-awkward interview with star Barry Prima, apparently now a recluse of Salinger proportions. His answers are very short and curt and, most of the time, you get the feeling he’s about to roundhouse kick the interviewer any moment now. Now that would have been a special feature!
I can’t give enough kudos to this release. Whether alone and stoned or at a party and in need to fucked-up entertainment, THE DEVIL'S SWORD is the ultimate entertainment accessory.
