Satan’s Slave

Director - Norman J. Warren

Starring - Michael Gough, Martin Potter

Country of Origin- U.K.
 

Distributor - Vinegar Syndrome

Number of discs –  2

Reviewed by - Scott MacDonald

Date- 06/20/2019

    Norman J. Warren is one of the greats of British horror and exploitation filmmaking of the 60's and 70's right alongside Pete Walker.  His most well known film is probably Inseminoid. Over the last couple of years Vinegar Syndrome has been bringing Warren's horror titles to Blu-ray, and has done marvelous work restoring films like Terror (my personal favorite), Bloody New Year, and Prey.  In May 2019 they have finally gotten around to releasing another Warren great, Satan's Slave.

    Satan's Slave is Warren's first crack at the horror genre, and it is largely a success. The film opens with a brilliantly realized Satanic Ritual.  Afterwards, we are introduced to Catherine (Candace Glendenning) who is traveling with her parents to visit her Uncle Alexander (Michael Gough, Batman). The car their driving is wrecked, and Catherine's Uncle takes her in, but their is evil and weirdness underfoot

    Satan's Slave is wonderfully atmospheric, and channels the best elements of British horror of the 70's.  The central performances by Glendenning, Gough, and Martin Potter are excellent and truly fit the sinister mood of the film. The imagery from the opening Satanic ritual to the dreams Catherine has are well-realized and horror-visual-perfection.  The score by John Scott is minimalist in tone, but atmospheric, creepy, and effective.

    Vinegar Syndrome alongside Norman J. Warren himself brings Satan's Slave to Blu-ray in a glorious 2:35:1 1080p AVC encoded transfer. Everything here looks quite outstanding, detail is excellent, colors pop, blacks are inky and deep and I could find almost zero issues. The audio is handled by a DTS-HD MA mono track in English, and comes through crisp and clear. Extras include a commentary track by John Scott and Norman Warren that covers their experience making the film. We also get another outstanding in-depth commentary analyzing the film from Kat Ellinger and Samm Deighan.  There is also Fragments the debut short film by Warren, featurettes, interviews, deleted scenes, and a trailer.   Satan's Slave is a bizarre and wonderful high point to the British Occult horror films of the 70's. The Blu-ray from Vinegar Syndrome looks and sounds amazing, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED