Movie review – “The She Beast” (1966) **

The first full-length feature directed by Michael Reeves was a low budget horror flick done in Italy. It’s got a good, solid, if familiar sort of plot- in the 18^th century a really really ugly witch (I suspect played by a man in a wig) is put to death by some townsfolk; before she dies she curses them. In the present day a holidaying couple travel through the area; an accident sees Barbara Steele reincarnated as the witch who goes on a rampage. Actually it’s not much of a rampage; far more problems are provided by local communist police who keep trying to grab the monster meaning Van Helsing (a descendant of the famous doctor) can’t perform an exorcism on the witch necessary to bring Steele back.

The film is full of comedy – mostly involving incompetent communist police and officials. This is typical of Charles Griffith, who directed second unit and a hand in the script, more so than Reeves’ other two films (although Reeves did like comedies so you never know). More typical of Reeves is quite a sexy love scene where Ogilvy is about to take a topless Steele from behind when they’re interrupted by a pervert, an unpleasant rape scene involving Mel Welles (Corman alumni who brought Griffith on to the project) and a pretty girl who seems to wander in and out of the film for that purpose, and a chase sequence at the end. Steele is striking, although it’s a shame her part isn’t bigger (she had to shoot it all in one very long day); Ogilvy’s inexperience shows at times but he’s effective and John Karlsen is excellent. Not sensational but enjoyable, and a must for Reeves fans.