Tragica Ceremonia En Villa Alexander -- starring an American (Camille Keaton of I Spit On Your Grave), directed by an Italian (Ricardo Freda of I Vamperi), and originally released in Spanish decades ago and in the wake of the Manson Family murder spree -- is a latter-day gothic creeper containing some early indications of the slasher genre that would dominate the horror scene throughout the 1980s.

The story starts with an evenly-sexed quartet of rather adult-looking teens out for a bit of fun in the surf and sand. Having had their fill of yachting and yakking, they suck face for a bit, then find themselves a yellow dune buggy and go joy-riding. Speeding along the back roads drains petrol, and they find themselves running on empty. They four friends find a filling station, but unfortunately, the attendant is a suspicious sort who won’t accept their traveler’s check (this is pre-Karl Malden’s TV commercials, obviously).

The bouncy blonde charms the prickly proprietor, and they move off again -- only to be stopped by a storm. They seek refuge in the stately Alexander Manor, where they meet the Lady Alexander and her fiendish friends. Debased Satanic rites are taking place in the posh place’s basement, and as it turns out, the human sacrifices are right on time!

I had never heard of Tragic Ceremony prior to receiving the DVD for review from Dark Sky Films, but I understand it’s a cult classic and was, prior to its new mass disc production, quite the collector’s item. I expected more. I thought the film had its merits -- the slaying set pieces are appropriately gory, and the score and cinematography are stylish -- but it’s too long on mood and too short on story. There’s a subplot about a cursed pearl necklace, and I found this essential but waysided storyline to be the most intriguing. There’s an awful lot of time devoted to Camille & Co. chatting, kissing, and candle-lighting.

Rumor has it Freda wanted to strike Tragic Ceremony from his resume. While it’s certainly not that bad, it’s not a great fright flick by any stretch of the imagination.

The DVD features a new interview with the pretty lead, who has some interesting recollections about making the movie, but it’s clearly not edited for the most concise version of events.

Also being released by Dark Sky on that same date is another Italian cult classic, Ricco The Mean Machine. It’s not a horror movie, so I really can’t review it here – but I will heartily recommend it. A Godfather styled revenge flick, starring a wonderfully wooden Christopher Mitchum, featuring a graphic genital severing scene, and a nude hood dance that would put Tawny Kitean to shame, Ricco The Mean Machine is a must-have for fans of 70s exploitation.

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Reviewed by Staci Layne Wilson [1]