9. Mark Of The Devil (1970)
Oozing with sleaze, depravity and violence, Mark of the Devil is a film from West Germany which seems to be trying to outdo Michael Reeve's seminal British film - Witchfinder General - in terms of its nastiness and brutality. The story concerns a witchfinder, played by Herbert Lom, and his apprentice, played by Udo Kier. The apprentice has complete faith in God and trusts his mentor, but a gratuitous killing by Lom of a man who called him impotent shocks Kier. Gradually, it dawns on Kier that the persecution of 'witches' is merely a means of the church robbing people blind and imposing their corrupt will on them. The situation is untenable and the folk living in the town start an insurrection against the regime. Kier is killed but jammy bastard Lom escapes - paving the way for more witch hunting fun in Mark of the Devil 2. This film is packed with sadistic and cruel acts of torture against beautiful women. There is the infamous tongue ripping sequence as well as burnings, whippings, rape, thumb screws, a torture rack, Chinese water torture, beheadings among other delights. However, the film is not a piece of worthless and prurient trash, the acting is very good - especially Udo Kier as the apprentice. There is a beautiful soundtrack and the background scenery of the film is magnificent. But the events that happen in the film are so ugly and depressing, you will come away from the film feeling grotty and nauseated. It is a long, long way from being a masterpiece like Witchfinder General - the film it is obviously seeking to emulate. But if you enjoy Euro horror and extreme films, you will be in your element.