Cool! Different, but cool.
Baba Yaga (1973)
Directed By: Corrado Farina
Where to get it: Blue Underground
The Prologue
Blue Underground has been on a roll as of late, tossing some classic out into the world on blu-ray. They’ve given us upgrades of such titles as Torso, Zombie, The House by the Cemetery, and Night Train Murderers. Now they give us, Baba Yaga, a film that is about as odd as it’s name is. The 70s gave us some rather odd films and you have to believe this one would be right up there with the list of them. So, let’s take a moment and see how this one adds up to some of the other films that are getting the blu-ray upgrade from Blue Underground.
The Movie
Legendary sex symbol Carroll Baker (BABY DOLL, THE WATCHER IN THE WOODS) stars as a mysterious sorceress with an undying hunger for sensual ecstasy and unspeakable torture. But when she casts a spell over a beautiful young fashion photographer (the gorgeous Isabelle De Funes), Milan’s most luscious models are sucked into a nightmare world of lesbian seduction and shocking sadism. Are these carnal crimes the result of one woman’s forbidden fantasies or is this the depraved curse of the devil witch known as BABA YAGA?
We have an odd atmosphere with this one. We also have a very unique look. You can tell rather quickly what time period this film takes place in and it does follow the style and format of many other weird films of it’s time. We have some gnarly sounding music, we have some hot women, and we have it all coming at you in a very different style and format. This style and format will probably either work for you really well, or you may dislike it greatly. I’m not sure there will be an in between. I didn’t hate it, so I’m a little more forgiving.
The film does have a slower build to it. Things take their time and you have to sit through some plot and character development before things start really getting to where you’ll be more pleased with them being. It’s a bit of an odd story, not a bad one by any means, but odd none the less. I think by the time the 3rd act comes about, you’ll find yourself more into what is going on. Just try to make it through the slower start of the film. So, I guess in some sense, saying you need to be patient with this movie would be a good thing to suggest.
This isn’t a bad movie at all, it’s actually well made. I like things to be a little more on a faster paced level, but I think given the right situation and the right mood, this one could be an enjoyment to those who choose to watch it. You can’t beat checking out some of the hotter women of this era, that’s always an enjoyment in it’s self. You might say that this movie is a little too weird for it’s own good. Or at least it is when you want to try to reach out to a wider audience. But at the same time, there is some good stuff here. And if you dig films of this nature, you should like this.
The Conclusion
The film might be a little hit and miss with some, but it will surely find it’s audience. After all, this is a film with a cult following that will appreciate the new release. The transfer of this one looks just fine and dandy for a film of this nature and time. And when in comparison to other films like it from around this time, I’d say it’s a release that Blue Underground could be very proud of.
The Rating (6/10)
Chucks website
