Every time Halloween rolls around, I’m always on the lookout for something appropriate to watch. I’ve had this DVD for 7 years now and I remember liking it when I first watched it but that was right after I purchased it and I hadn’t seen it since then. Having recently re-read Gogol’s original story THE VIY (pronounced VEEyuh) in Peter Haining’s marvelous collection THE GHOULS, which consists of the original stories that were the basis of classic horror films (THE VIY was the source of Mario Bava’s BLACK SUNDAY although it’s a very free adaptation), I decided that it was high time to rewatch this very faithful 1967 Russian adaptation of the story and boy, was I rewarded! THE VIY is nothing short of a modern day classic especially if you are into old school horror.
It looks as if the Russians (or Soviets as they were then) were trying to make their version of a Hammer horror film. The setting is in the past, the colors are artistic as opposed to realistic and the short running time of 72 minutes means that the film is as tight as can be. The story concerns a rural seminary student who must keep watch over the dead body of a young woman for 3 days reading biblical verses to protect her soul from dark powers. Little does he know that the young girl’s body houses the spirit of an old witch and that he is about to face all sorts of terrors and temptations. A real winner from start to finish with a truly Russian flavor and something that I think Gogol himself would have been highly pleased with. In Russian with subtitles although this DVD gives you a host of options. A treat for horror film connoisseurs!
The Capsule Critic 