Viy

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Audience Member Viy (Spirit of Evil) is a 1967 Soviet Gothic horror fantasy film directed by Konstantin Yershov and Georgi Kropachyov. Based on the story of the same name by Nikolai Gogol, the film's screenplay was written by Yershov, Kropachyov and Aleksandr Ptushko. The film was distributed by Mosfilm and was the first Soviet-era horror film to be officially released in the USSR. Vision said the film was "good" and all for a first; a horror "flick," but it was indeed basic, bland and boring. I have seen better performances by Russian actors and I have definitely seen better French and or Italian horror films from an even earlier time. Five fingers for the art direction and costumes. Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/14/25 Full Review Alec B What's great is that the movie keeps the folk horror elements of the original story so that it really feels like it belongs in the era it takes place in. There are some truly imaginative make-up effects in the finale. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 10/25/24 Full Review SIMON T Surprisingly interesting Russian ghost story. Featuring limpid cinematography, very good performances and a fine original score, this is well worth seeking out. The tone too is unusual, straddling religious symbolism, folk tales and dry comedy. Recommended. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/31/23 Full Review s r 1001 movies to see before you die. Although this was a little cheesy with the special effects and costumes, this movie is a cult classic. It is a truly special thing to have a creepy communist horror film be made, but to make it have a quality and entertaining story to boot make it all the better. This movie transcends the silliness that come with it. It takes a few jabs at Russian Orthodox, perhaps this could be seen as subtle jabs at faith. But, I guess it doesn't really matter considering that the church must be real if there is a ghoul called Viy and his hellions. I also loved the Russian culture that it exposed me too. I didn't know that Monks could drink?! Maybe this too was a jab at the faith. It was on Tubi. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review martin f The story is maybe too simple for its own good, you are just waiting to see the conclusion as there are no subplots or any twists but what a conclusion! The movie impresses with gothic visual splendors. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review William L The lovechild of Eastern European folklore and campy horror, Viy is an odd duck even within its own genre. Far from a spine-tingler, its nevertheless plenty entertaining as it attempts to punctuate its screenplay with philosophical musings while also delivering practical effects that are a far cry from today's standards, but that have plenty of charm in their dated style. Despite a sub-75 minute runtime, the setup is surprisingly slowly paced, taking its time in following an inebriated and unfocused Russian Orthodox priest from his rectory to a distant village, leaving most of the meat for the last half hour. While the humor may have been intended to impart on the audience a sense of madness linked with despair, after all this time it just ends up blatantly funny. The visual style and setting is almost a parody of more sincere dramas from this part of the world - a barren waste steeped in tradition, where life is balanced against matters of faith - but as to how much of that is intention is tough to say for certain. Regardless, a distinctive film that's perfect for an unorthodox Halloween movie night pick. I can see revisiting this one. (3/5) Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 07/10/21 Full Review Read all reviews

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