A great euro-exploit that is probably one of the least established here in America, The Blancheville Monster, known as "exploit" Internationally, is very atmospheric. The black and white production, which helps hide the cheap cardboard sets, and the rainy weather almost throughout the film, helps levitate this film above others in terms of tension.

The beautiful young daughter of a crazed count fears that she will fall victim to the family curse - to be sacrificed to fulfill an ancient family legend. What she doesn't realize is her father is not dead, but kept alive by a secret serum administrated by her evil step-mother (who bears more than a striking resemblance to the evil step-mother in Snow White). The serum has turned her father into a hideously disfigured creature.

Together the father and step-mother hypnotize the daughter into fulfilling the legend by poisoning her (do you see a pattern here) and she is buried alive. Does she escape? Do seven little men come to her rescue?

The acting here is typical of early 60's euro-exploit with the dubbing at least in line with the actors lip movements. I remember seeing this film on television in the 60's because of it's great opening credits; the two disfigured hands grasping at the barred windows during a thunder storm (see below).

HORROR THEATER VIDEO sells the uncut international print as Blanchville Monster but the credits have it in it's original uncut name "exploit".

MY RATING-

Starring: Gerard Tichy, Joan Hills, Helga Line, Richard Davis

Directed by: Alberto Di Martino

Running Time- USA 87 minutes INTERNATIONAL 90 minutes

Review by: Tony Bernardini