The Prince of Terror is a 1988 Italian supernatural horror film made for TV as part of the ‘Alta tension’ series.
Directed by Lamberto Bava (Twins; Delirium; Demons and Demons 2; Macabre) from a screenplay written by Dardano Sacchetti (A Blade in the Dark; The Beyond; House by the Cemetery) based on a story by Ira Goldman. Produced by Lamberto Bava and Andrea Piazzesi.
The Reteitalia movie stars Tomas Arana (The Possession of Michael King; Frankenfish; The Sect; The Church), Carole André (Colt 38 Special Squad), David Brandon (Neverlake; Stagefright), Ulisse Minervini and Joyce Pitti.
Plot:
Film director Vincent Omen, originally from Romania, has made his fortune by directing horror films. He lives with his wife and daughter in a beautiful isolated villa. But when he gets writer Paul fired, strange things start to happen.
While playing golf, the ball disappears, returned home the garage door is blocked, receives a mysterious phone call and during the dinners with the guests there is no light, a small fire breaks out and he finds the golf ball lost in the afternoon. Do they just want to scare him? And who?
[May contain spoilers] Reviews:
“There’s plenty of gore (by Sergio Stivaletti), the screenplay (from the prolific Dardano Sacchetti) offers up some genuine surprises along the way, the home it’s set in looks great and Gianfranco Transunto’s cinematography and Simon Boswell’s score are both fine. If only the whole thing weren’t so silly and it wasn’t saddled with such an annoyingly inconclusive ending…” The Bloody Pit of Horror
“While not in the same league as Bava’s best films, The Prince of Terror is nevertheless among his most successful TV movies, with a clever script and some terrific work by David Brandon. As long as you can stick it out through the rather rocky start you’ll be in for a wild and enjoyable ride.” Euro Fever
“It’s pretty dumb since it requires the screenwriter to suddenly become a special effects expert, but once you realize that the movie wants you to believe that the Devil really exists and he is here on Earth making bad horror movies, it doesn’t seem like the dumbest part of the movie. Still, that would explain why watching some of these movies feels like you are burning in hell while Satan shoves a rusty golf club up your bum.” MonsterHunter
Choice dialogue:
Vincent Omen: “Life is full of horror. There’s a lot of fear in just plain day-to-day living.”
Magda: “I love horror movies. They turn me on. I just have to make love afterwards.”
Paul: “Don’t play any tricks or we’ll make Charlie Manson and his mob look like Snow White and the Seven Dwarves.”
Paul: “You think you’re so clever with those stupid golf balls, don’t you? Well, this isn’t a game…”
Cast and characters:
Tomas Arana … Vincent Omen
Carole André … Betty Omen
David Brandon … Paul Hilary
Ulisse Minervini … Eddie Felsen
Joyce Pitti … Susan Omen
Marina Viro … Magda Rude
Virginia Bryant … Reporter
Pascal Druant … The Producer
Augusto Poderosi … Security guard
Danilo Del Monte … Special effects assistant
Technical details:
1 hour 28 minutes
Original title:
Il maestro del terrore
