Incubus (1965)
A pre-"Star Trek" William Shatner starring in a
black and white Bergmanesque occult thriller from a
director who worked on the original "Outer Limits" TV
show. Oh yeah. It's done entirely in the language of
Esperanto. If that doesn't have your cinematic mouth
watering, you can move on now.
A word (or two) about Esperanto (in English): Esperanto
was created in 1905 by Dr. D.L. Zamenhof of Warsaw,
Poland in hopes that a universal language would encourage
peace in the world. Esperanto is based on Latin languages
and has very few rules to learn. However, because it
is based on European language, it is easier for Europeans,
as opposed to say, Asians, to learn the language. Popularity
was most high in the early 20th century but has continued
to wane as time has passed. Esperantists wear little
green stars in their lapels so that they might recognize
one and other. (Zamenhof died in 1917 but his children
were killed by Nazis due to the belief that Esperanto
was a Jewish plot to break down national sovereignty.
It was also feared Esperanto would be used as a code
language by spies. (Paraphrased from Paul Kirchner's
Rhino book "Forgotten Fads and Fabulous Flops." 1995).
Okay. So there are two important elements to this
film. It's Bergmanesque quality and the language. First,
the Bergman. Think Bergman's early work, in particular
"The Virgin Spring." "Incubus" is black and white and
filmed beautifully and effectively by Conrad Hall (probably
now best known for lensing "American Beauty"). Hall
films each frame as if it were a still photo by Ansel
Adams on ecstasy. This film is simply gorgeous. The
use of shadows, light and dark, and smoke is phenomenal.
There is not a single frame in the film that does not
captivate and hold you engrossed. It's an amazing film
to look at.
Now, the language. By making the film's language
Esperanto, writer/director Leslie Stevens creates a
film that is virtually a foreign film in every country
in the world. Sure, there are pockets of people who
speak the language in every country in the world, perhaps.
But by and large the majority of the people who see
this work will not know the native tongue of the film,
even if Esperantists seek it out. And because the dialogue
in the film is mystical and poetic, this foreign language,
with it's lilting European sound, works so much better.
In English, or perhaps even French or Norwegian or Italian,
it might seem far less exotic and poetic. Here. it is
perfect. (Although Esperantists have complained that
it is not perfect in it's pronunciation and accenting.
No Esperantist was on the set during filming).
The story here is a bit silly with a fight between
good and evil the climactic moment and yet the film's
foreign feel and exotic language make it work so much
the better. As does Hall's fascinating photography.
The acting is subdued and appropriate with even Shatner
turning in a restrained and fitting performance.
"Incubus" is a real oddity. A treasured little
gem of a film that fanatics will adopt as a classic.
It's required viewing for anyone who loves film.
Notes:
Also with Milos Milos, Allyson Ames, Ann Atmar,
and Eloise Hardt. Music by Dominic Frontiere.
Filmed in Big Sur, California.
The film was lost for over 30 years as prints disappeared
from storage. A copy was found in Paris with French
subtitles and after much haranguing producer Anthony
Taylor was able to secure a frame by frame transfer
of the print.
The DVD version from Fox Lorber contains an interview
with Taylor, Hall and Assistant Cinematographer William
Fraker. They also do a commentary track during the film.
Shatner, as well, does a separate commentary track.
And the film also contains information about the "Curse
of 'Incubus.'" Many of the stars films have died under
odd circumstances.
The English subtitled versions of the film have
black boxes with subtitles obscuring some of the film's
gorgeous images. This was necessary to cover the French
subtitles on the source print.
One of only two features ever filmed in Esperanto.
Although imdb.com lists 7 films in Esperanto, including
"Gattaca," only one other film lists no other language,
1964's "Angoroj" (AKA "Agonies").
Many of the Esperanto pronunciation mistakes are
listed on the "Goofs" page of the imdb listing of "Incubus."
In Esperanto, by the way, "Incubus" would be spelled
"Inkubo" and pronounced en-KOO-boo.
Personal Note: Thanks to Ben Kobbs for turning
me onto this film. Check out his site at http://www.sequoiafilms.com
|
Report
Card
Script:
A+
Acting: A-
Cinematography\Lighting: A+
Special Effects\Make Up: A+
Music: A+
Final
Grade: A+
|
And
Help Support Filethirteen!
Get
Your "Incubus" Stuff...
|
More
of Lodger's reviews indexed alphabetically! Just
click your favorite letter to go there.
a
b c
d e
f g
h i
j k
l m
n o
p q
r s
t u
v w
x y
z
HOME
|
|
