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The Sentinel

She's Living in the Gateway To Hell...

In this gruesome shocker directed by Michael Winner, model Alison Parker learns that the Brooklyn Heights house where she rents an apartment guards the gateway to Hell. Based on the bestseller by Jeffrey Konvitz, who wrote and produced the film with Winner, it stars horror legend John Carradine as the blind Father Halliran, who maintains a solitary vigil agianst the forces of evil. The all-star cast includes Academy Award winners Martin Balsam, and Christopher Walken as well as Tony Award winner Eli Wallach. Oscar nominees Chris Sarandon, Ava Gardner, Arthur Kennedy, Burgess Meredith, Sylvia Miles, and William Hickey also star.

Critiques des membres

True Exploitation.... - HouseOfGlib

Were it not for a strange decision by director Michael Winner, THE SENTINEL would likely be remembered only as one of those late 70s/early 80s horror films that attempted to earn some cheap respectability by casting a handful of well-regarded older performers willing to slum it for a few days work (the popular term for such actors being "has-beens', which strikes this reviewer as unfairly judgmental). And by that standard THE SENTINEL is a treat for movie buffs, since nearly every scene features a once glorious star trying not to embarrass themselves too much. There's even some room for future stars as well, most notably a young Jeff Goldblum (whose familiar voice is obviously dubbed over by another actor).

But the main reason THE SENTINEL remains controversial over 30 years after its release is Winner's decision to cast victims of real life deformities as the demons waiting to break through the Gateway to Hell guarded by the titular character. And while this had been done before, most notably in Tod Browning's FREAKS, the effect is made much more disquieting and unpleasant due to Winner's clear intention to use the mangled faces and bodies of his extras as a means to revolt and disgust his audience--turning a semi-effective horror tale into an unpleasant freak show that forces you to question your participation in it.

Beyond this one moment, though, the film stays on a steady track and does manage to conclude with an ending that is likely to stay with you long after you've seen it.

As a result, the only recommendation that can be made is an ambivalent one. If you enjoy creepy horror movies, this is an effective effort, but be aware that discomforting reality is to be found amidst the harmless fantasy.

The Mount Everest of 70's Satanism - Craigo

The 70's really liked it's satanism when it came to novels-turned-into-movies, and this one is probably the absolute zenith of them all. While a little hokey at times, it's unrelentingly dark and grim, with bizarre charactors and heartless situations. Not to mention it's so over-the-top lurid and pro-doomsday that you'll really feel like the world just collapsed around you while watching it. Most movies of this time were more subtle and built fear along the way; this one just dives in and only continues to top itself around every turn.

A bit disappointing - Coconut_Willy

This could have been very good; good versus evil supernatural thriller with a religious twist but I guess it wasn't to be. It's true that the general concept is in line with other great movies like The Omen or The Exorcist but it falls quite short to achieving any sort of greatness. The cast is just unbelievable but mostly where the supporting actors are concerned as the main characters are quite ordinary in their roles. The storyline is good enough (although not overly original) but it's very oddly developed in my opinion. It should have gone more towards horror than psychological stuff maybe like Lucio Fulci's The Beyond. The sets and locations though are great, the soundtrack is appropriate and the camera work is professional. I would only recommend this to people who can't get enough older horror films even though I'm sure they would be disappointed too.

The transfer to DVD is good enough but with no extras.

Critiques des membres Lire tous...

True Exploitation.... - HouseOfGlib

The Mount Everest of 70's Satanism - Craigo

A bit disappointing - Coconut_Willy

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The Sentinel

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