Mondo Esoterica - Paul Naschy Film Reviews

Born Jacinto Molina, in Spain, 1934. He made an early break into movies with extras roles in some Spanish lensed movies, including King of Kings (1961). However, he was more interested in working as a writer or set designer, and did consider acting as a profession until his producers were unable to find a lead for his first penned horror film, The Mark of the Wolfman (1968) and asked Jacinto himself to play the lead. The name change came at the insistence of his German producers who wanted a more Anglo-Saxon name that could sell in the German and English language markets.

From this start, Naschy went on to star as the cursed Waldemar Daninsky in a series of werewolf films known as the Hombro-lobo series, one of the most famous Spanish horror series ever created. The international sucess of these films - being perfect trash movie fodder and packed (for the time) with gore and nudity - lead to Naschy starring in a myriad of euro-cult films throughout the 1970s and 1980s.
After finding himself relegated to cameo roles in the late 1990s, Naschy made a big come-back with a self-parody role in Rojo-Sangre (2004), and has confirmed that he still wants to star in a few more films.

Although unlikely ever to be recognised by the mainstream of movie fans, Paul Naschy has become a genre favourite, and as his name sold films back in the 1970s, it still attracts demand to DVD releases of his films, most of which are perfect Mondo Esoterica material. Expect a number of new DVD releases of his lesser known Spanish horror works in 2006.

Curse of the Devil (1973) USA Anchor Bay Region 1 DVD	A dark and strongly horror tinged Wolfman film set in the 1800s with a good Naschy lead performance. Recommended to all Naschy and Euro-cult fans.
Doctor Jekyll versus the Werewolf (1972) UK Mondo Macabro Region 0 DVD	A sucessfully unique twist on the Wolfman mythos courtesy of a strong script and decent production. Recommended to all Naschy and Euro-cult fans.
Frankenstein's Bloody Terror (1968) Media Blasters Region 1 DVD	A dark and horror filled beginning to the Wolfman cycle, and Paul Naschy's debut lead role. Recommended to all Naschy and Euro-cult fans.
Rojo Sangre (2004) USA Fangoria/Media Blasters Region 1 DVD	Rojo Sangre is a unique film - mixing a personal rant against celebrity culture and with some ultra-stylish horror. Highly recommended to all. Naschy fans MUST see this!
Werewolf Shadow (1971) UK Anchor Bay Region 0 DVD	Naschy has the lead role in this Wolfman picture. Although the script is poor, the film looks good and is fun to watch. Recommended place to start for Naschy newcomers.

The Mondo Esoterica Guide to:

Links