The Wind (1986)

     Arrow continues its bid to release more films by Greek exploitationeer Nico Mastorakis than any other UK disc label as Meg Foster is troubled by THE WIND.

Let's start with the original poster art up there, which graced many a full page magazine ad back in the 1980s when the film was released on VHS and quite rightly, as it's pretty much the best thing about the film. Arrow's new release comes with some lovely Graham Humphreys cover art as well, which looks like this:

So what's the film about? Well, if I said 'very little' would that be unfair? Thriller writer Sian Anderson (Foster) enjoys the lavish lifestyle we know all writers do. She jets off from her posh pad in Los Angeles to a remote Greek island to finish her latest epic (again as we also know all writers do). Once there she ends up being chased by mad Wings Hauser around and around and around until she isn't (this tends not to happen to writers, not even really really good ones).

The great thing about THE WIND is its location, which is so good you almost expect Foster to find herself lost in a Bava-esque dream fantasy amidst rustic back alleys and perhaps even meet Telly Savalas in his native land. 

But no. 

The problems with THE WIND are many. Director Mastorakis seems to have had problems handling his stellar cast, whose performances here are either turned up to 11 from the beginning (Hauser), never get above mildly lukewarm (Foster and Steve Railsback) or just do not care (Robert Morley who gets to wave his stick around). 

The plot is virtually non-existent to the point where you begin to wonder if the reels have even been put on the disc in the right order. How many times is Meg Foster going to open and close those windows and shutters? Why is Steve Railsback suddenly halfway up a wall? Why does Wings Hauser keep a half-used toilet roll by his telephone? Is he worried the wind may catch him unawares and turn out to be something else? Top this all off with a comedy policeman (at least I really, really hope he was meant to be the comic relief) and THE WIND threatens to become something bad film clubs might add to their programme.

Extras were not provided for review but apparently you get the complete soundtrack composed by Stanley Myers and Hans Zimmer. Oh yes imagine that  - the composer of HOUSE OF WHIPCORD (and THE DEER HUNTER) and INTERSTELLAR together! In Greece! There's also an interview with the director and a collection of Nico Mastorakis trailers. The first pressing of the disc comes with new writing on the film from Kat Ellinger which will doubtless treat the film with more reverence and respect than this review does.

Nico Mastorakis' THE WIND is out on Blu-ray from Arrow Films on Monday 13th April 2020