Satan's Children (1975/I)

User Rating:

4.1/10   

Director:

Joe Wiezycki

Writers:

Gary Garrett (writer)
Ron Levitt (writer)

Release Date:

June 1975 (USA)

Genre:

Horror

Tagline:

Devil worshipping has changed them into ...

Plot Keywords:

Man In Bed | Beheading | Incestuous Overtones | Sadism | Authority

Cast

Stephen White	...	Bobby Douglas
Eldon Mecham	...	Mr. Douglas
Joyce Molloy	...	Janis Douglas
Kathleen Marie Archer	...	Sherry (as Kathleen Archer)
Rosemary Orlando	...	Monica
Bob Barbour	...	Jake
Robert C. Ray II	...	Simon
John Edwards	...	Joshua
Harry Williams	...	Old Man
Mike Yeager	...	Driver
Frank Morse	...	Escort
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Elaine Consales
Caren Davis
Nora Denison
David Harrington
Lonny Jensen
Alan McDonald
Janis McDonald
Casey Mendoza
David Mendoza
John Mocsary
Pam Morris
Frances Pont
Larry Rhodes	...	Gil
Jeffery Robbins
Jeff Stephens

Runtime:

87 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

Gibsonton, Florida, USA

Company:

Florida International Pictures

Trivia:

The "quicksand" in the quicksand scenes towards the end of the film was made out of Quaker Oats.

Quotes:

Simon: You're weak. You're a loser. Satan wants winners!

Absolutely zero redeeming social value but bizarre and amusing enough for exploitation buffs

"Satan's Children" is a completely unique film. I'd only recommend it to hardened grindhouse film fans (the ones who purvey the catalog of Something Weird Video on a regular basis) and as a film it really has zero redeeming social value. However, being a serious fan of exploitation and cult cinema, I enjoyed it a lot more than most people probably would. Its so bizarre it becomes a rather unique and unforgettable viewing experience. It has that kind of technical ineptness that transcends simple badness into the realm of unintended surrealism. Its also pretty damn funny at moments, mostly due to the incredibly awkward performances from all the cast (the most hilarious being the insensitive father). Contrary to popular belief, many exploitation filmmakers were extremely intelligent, much more than their work suggested (Herschell Gordon Lewis comes to mind). However, "Satan's Children" is so moronic I question the intelligence of the filmmakers (even drive-in fans wouldn't accept its wimp lead actor as a chick magnet).

The most fascinating element to the film is its views on homosexuality. All the gay characters are shown to be either evil or weak. This is one intensely homophobic film, but as another reviewer said its not particularly bothersome because its so poorly made. What makes the films sense of homophobia interesting is just how homoerotic the whole product is. It lingers on shots of the closeted protagonist running around the woods wearing only his underwear. It seems more comfortable showing male nudity than female nudity. This coupled with the plot that suggests homosexuality is worse than murder makes me seriously question the sexuality of the filmmakers.

To be honest, the only remotely accomplished component to the film is the ending. Its even more offensive than everything before it, but its a reasonably effective and nihilistic endnote. Its a very bizarre conclusion to a very bizarre film. "Satan's Children" is politically incorrect like few other films manage to be, but its an uniquely disorienting experience. (6/10)