Incubus (1965)

 

Arrow are releasing, on both 4KUHD and Blu-ray formats, this interesting black and white piece from writer-director (and one of the guiding lights of the original Outer Limits TV show) Leslie Stevens. That it stars William Shatner and was filmed in Esperanto (a 'constructed language' intended for international communication) makes it all the more worth a watch for fans of curious cinematic oddities.

In the village of Nomen Tuum resides a coven of witches who prey on sinful men by seducing them and killing them, thus ensuring their souls will end up in hell. Kia (Allyson Ames) sets her sights on Marc (William Shatner) who has just returned from war wounded and essentially a hero. She is warned off trying to seduce him as if he dies he will go to heaven. However she is unable to help herself.

Her falling in love with him sets in motion a series of supernatural events, not least of which is the summoning of an incubus (Milo Milos) to take Mark's sister Arndis (Ann Atmar). Mark sets out to save her but if he uses violence his own soul may be compromised in the process.

Filmed in Big Sur and making the most of the Californian coastline in that area, INCUBUS, like MESSIAH OF EVIL (1973) or Stephanie Rothman's THE VELVET VAMPIRE (1971) fits into a subset of low budget independent US cinema that's more intent on dwelling on the weird than on standard exploitation elements. Some may feel it has a touch of Bergman about it, while BritHorror fans will be reminded of John Moxey's 1959 CITY OF THE DEAD. The story itself feels like myth, the movie is photographed imaginatively by Conrad Hall, Shatner is fine in the lead, and the use of Esperanto for dialogue is the crowning note of what adds up to a singular piece of weird cinema. 

Arrow's transfer is the same as that used by Le Chat Qui Fume, namely a 4K restoration from the last known surviving 35mm print which every now and then exhibits remnants of its original French subtitles at the bottom of the screen. If you want to read those subtitles better (and see more picture information as a whole) then  Arrow have provided the open matte version as an extra. You also have the option of playing the film with an isolated score track which will be of especial interest not just to film music aficionados but also fans of The Outer Limits as a lot of composer Dominic Frontiere's score for this consists of repurposed tracks from that TV show.

Other extras include a new commentary from David J Schow and it's an invaluable addition to the similar contributions he provided on Kino Lorber's Outer Limits box set. There are also two archival commentaries - one from William Shatner, and another from producer Anthony Taylor, DP Conrad Hall and camera operator William Fraker. The three are also interviewed by David J Schow in another archival piece (19 minutes).

Stephen Bissette provides an excellent 43 minute talking head piece about Esperanto and INCUBUS and finishing off by showing us a stack of low budget horror films all made in the language by Christopher Mihm. In case you wanted to know even more about Esperanto Arrow have thoughtfully provided a piece by Esther Schor who has written a book on the subject.

Finally you get a trailer, a reversible sleeve and a booklet with new writing on the film.

Leslie Stevens' INCUBUS is out from Arrow Films in 4KUHD and Blu-ray editions on Monday 13th January 2025