‘Incubus’ Blu-ray Review (Arrow Video)

Stars: William Shatner, Allyson Ames, Eloise Hardt, Robert Fortier, Ann Atmar, Milos Milos | Written and Directed by Leslie Stevens

Incubus is a 60s experimental horror film starring William Shatner, notable not only for its eerie storyline but also for being one of the few films ever made entirely in Esperanto. Directed by Leslie Stevens (The Outer Limits), the movie blends supernatural horror with art-house sensibilities, resulting in a haunting and unique cinematic experience.

The story revolves around a young soldier, Marc (Shatner), recovering from war wounds in a peaceful village rumoured to possess a miraculous healing spring. This seemingly idyllic setting is tainted by the presence of succubi, demonic beings who seduce and corrupt mortal souls. One such succubus, Kia (Allyson Ames), grows dissatisfied with preying on the wicked and sets her sights on Marc, a pure and virtuous man. The resulting battle between good and evil unfolds in a slow, dreamlike fashion, punctuated by moments of intense dread and existential despair.

The decision to shoot the film in Esperanto adds a layer of otherworldliness to the narrative. The language choice creates a sense of disconnection from reality, amplifying the surreal and unsettling atmosphere. However, it can also alienate viewers unfamiliar with Esperanto, as the awkward delivery by some actors detracts from the immersion. Shatner, as always, brings his signature charisma, though his performance occasionally veers into melodrama, which contrasts with the film’s otherwise restrained tone.

The cinematography by Conrad Hall is one of Incubus’s greatest strengths. Shot in stark black and white, the film uses shadow and light to create striking, almost painterly compositions. The visual aesthetic, heavily influenced by German Expressionism, elevates the film beyond its modest budget and compensates for some of its narrative shortcomings.

That said, Incubus is not without flaws. The pacing is uneven, with stretches of the film feeling languid to the point of tedium. The plot, while intriguing in concept, can feel overly simplistic and meandering. Additionally, the Esperanto dialogue, while novel, is not always convincing, partly because many of the actors were not fluent speakers.

Despite its imperfections, Incubus deserves recognition as a bold and ambitious experiment in genre filmmaking. It occupies a unique space in horror history, blending esoteric themes, linguistic experimentation, and a chilling aesthetic to craft a one-of-a-kind experience. While it may not be for everyone, fans of cult cinema and unconventional horror will find much to admire in this strange, haunting tale.

Special Features:

• Original lossless Esperanto mono audio
• Optional English subtitles
• Optional Esperanto subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing
• New audio commentary by writer and genre historian David J. Schow, author of The Outer Limits: The Official Companion
• Archive audio commentary by star William Shatner
• Archive audio commentary by producer Anthony Taylor, cinematographer Conrad L. Hall and camera operator William Fraker
• Alternate 1.37:1 presentation of the film
• Words and Worlds: Incubus and Esperanto in Cinema, a newly filmed interview with genre historian Stephen Bissette
• Internacia Lingvo: A History of Esperanto, a newly filmed interview with Esther Schor, author of Bridge of Words: Esperanto and the Dream of a Universal Language
• An Interview with the Makers of Incubus, an archive interview by Schow with Taylor, Hall and Fraker
• Video trailer
• Reversible sleeve featuring newly commissioned artwork by Richard Wells
• Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Frank Collins and Jason Kruppa

***½  3.5/5

Incubus will be released on Blu-ray on January 13th, courtesy of Arrow Video.