Watch Mark of the Devil

Mark of the Devil is a controversial horror movie released in 1970. Directed by Michael Armstrong and Adrian Hoven, the film stars Herbert Lom, Udo Kier, and Olivera Katarina. The movie, set in 18th-century Austria, follows the story of witchcraft accusations and their brutal consequences. The movie begins with a young couple riding through the woods, planning their future together. The scene immediately changes to a group of men, led by Lord Cumberland (Herbert Lom), who torture and burn a supposed witch at the stake. Cumberland believes that anyone can be a witch and is determined to eradicate them from his territory. He appoints his apprentice, Count Christian von Meruh (Udo Kier), to lead a crusade against witches using any means necessary.

Soon, the town is plagued with witchcraft accusations, and Christian, who is initially naïve, gradually becomes more ruthless than his mentor. He arrests and tortures innocent people, including his own girlfriend, Vanessa (Olivera Katarina). When Vanessa is tortured and burnt at the stake, Christian realizes he has gone too far and confronts Cumberland. Will the young man be able to stop Cumberland's madness or become as wicked as his mentor?

Mark of the Devil certainly has its merits, but it is also a problematic movie. On the positive side, the movie's cinematography is excellent, and the set and costume designs accurately re-create the 18th-century atmosphere. The film's black humor and over-the-top brutality are sure to shock and disgust viewers, and some scenes are downright disturbing. For instance, there's a torture method shown where the victim's tongue is pulled out with a pair of pliers, and another scene where a woman is stripped naked and covered with tar and feathers.

However, the film's violence and misogyny have sparked a lot of controversy, and it has been banned in several countries. The movie's promotional campaign touted "guaranteed to make you sick," as if the filmmakers were trying to shock viewers out of their wits. The sexploitation elements and graphic violence felt gratuitous, and the movie felt more exploitative than educational.

In conclusion, Mark of the Devil is not for everyone. If you're looking for a horror movie with a coherent plot and sympathetic characters, you're better off looking elsewhere. However, if you're a fan of gore and shocking images, this movie might be right up your alley. The movie is a classic example of the 1970s exploitation era, with its bare-breasted women, political incorrectness, and over-the-top violence. If you're comfortable with all that, you might enjoy the movie's sick sense of humor and grotesque visuals. Otherwise, you might want to pass on this one.

Mark of the Devil is a 1970 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 36 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1.