Queens Of Evil (1970) Le regine [w/Commentary]

Director: Tonino Cervi
Writers: Benedetto Benedetti (story), Tonino Cervi (story and screenplay)
Stars: Haydée Politoff, Silvia Monti, Evelyn Stewart

In this dark, gothic fairy tale for adults Ray Lovelock plays David, a lone hippie motorcyclist, cruising the highways, in search of a better world. One night on a lonely mountain road he stops to help out the owner of a Rolls Royce with a flat tyre. The middle aged driver of the car gives David a lecture about responsibility and, unknown to David, punctures the front tyre of his motorbike before driving off. Furious, David gives chase. There is an accident and the car crashes, killing the driver. Fearing trouble from the police, David heads off down a side road into a dark forest and spends the night in a deserted barn. He is awakened the next morning by three beautiful young women who live in a luxurious villa nearby. These three women appear to be toying with David, playing an elaborate and sinister game, involving perplexing rituals and night-time vigils. The climax of their game takes place at a party in a nearby castle where David appears to be the guest of honour…but for what purpose?

Queens of Evil is one of those strange late sixties, early seventies, Eurocult films that has a strong cultivated voguish look, and slick production values- relating specifically to the similar witchcraft/erotica line, think Baba Yaga (1973); just less explicit. Unlike many of the likeminded films of the age, this one sadly hasn’t had the same attention from English speaking audiences. What may put some off is the slowly, slowly, catchy monkey approach to getting to any sort of conclusion. Cervi doesn’t stuff his film with gore, or gratuitous sex and nudity- there are small moments of both, but nothing to write home about. Instead what Queens of Evil does offer is an especially curious tale, ample atmospherics and a sharp satirical punchline that rips into bourgeoisie culture and materialistic values. On this level Queens of Evil is an extremely clever film imbibed with some sharp wit that comes delivered alongside a beguiling serpentine plot, which- if you allow it to be- is easy to become absorbed in. In some respects you could perhaps call this an adult version of Hansel and Gretel with erotic undertones. For me it was one of those films that demonstrates the wild creativity of that particular time and place in cinematic history. They certainly don’t make them like this anymore, that’s one thing that is for sure. This is definitely one for all those who love horror flicks that stray outside of the normal genre defined margins and in my opinion is well worth the extra effort it may take to track it down. If you can employ the patience Queens of Evil is an extremely rewarding watch, and a fine piece of Eurocult horror that is crying out to be explored by a wider audience.

Audio Commentary: by film historians Kat Ellinger and Samm Deighan (2020)

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