“The Brotherhood of Satan” (1971)

Horror

Running Time: 102 minutes

Written by: William Welch

Directed by: Bernard McEveety

Featuring: Strother Martin, L. Q. Jones, Charles Bateman, Ahna Capri, Charles Robinson, Alvy Moore and Geri Reischl

Doc Duncan: “Not your baby, OUR baby, SATAN’S BABY!”

Critical Commentary

“The Brotherhood of Satan” is a horror movie released in 1971 and directed by Bernard McEveety. The film follows a family who becomes stranded in a small town where a group of Satanists are performing a ritual to bring about the rebirth of their master, the Devil.

“The Brotherhood of Satan” is a slow-paced horror movie that relies heavily on suspense and atmosphere rather than cheap scares and gore. The performances from the cast are decent, with L.Q. Jones as the town’s sheriff being a standout.

The film’s strengths lie in its moody cinematography and eerie music score, which help to create a sense of dread and unease throughout. The concept of a small town being taken over by a Satanic cult is also an interesting premise that has been explored in other horror movies, but “The Brotherhood of Satan” manages to put its own unique spin on it.

That being said, the movie does have some weaknesses, including some slow pacing that may not be to everyone’s taste, and a somewhat underdeveloped plot that could have used a bit more fleshing out. Additionally, some viewers may find the film’s ending to be unsatisfying.

“The Brotherhood of Satan” is a decent horror movie that will appeal to fans of atmospheric and suspenseful horror films. It’s not a classic of the genre, but it’s worth checking out for those interested in a slower-paced, more cerebral type of horror movie.

One aspect of “The Brotherhood of Satan” that may be particularly interesting to modern audiences is its portrayal of a Satanic cult. While some aspects of the portrayal may seem clichéd or even comical by today’s standards, it’s worth noting that the movie was released during a time when Satanic panic and conspiracy theories were on the rise in the United States. As such, the film’s depiction of a secretive cult engaging in ritualistic behavior may have struck a chord with audiences of the time.

Despite its flaws, “The Brotherhood of Satan” remains a cult classic and is often cited as an influence on later horror movies. Fans of classic horror movies or those interested in the history of the horror genre may find it worth a watch, particularly for its moody atmosphere and unique premise.

It’s worth noting that “The Brotherhood of Satan” is not a particularly violent or gory movie, which may make it more accessible to viewers who are not fans of extreme horror. However, the movie does contain some disturbing imagery and themes, including child endangerment and sacrifice, which may not be suitable for all audiences.

In terms of its technical aspects, “The Brotherhood of Satan” features solid direction from Bernard McEveety, who went on to direct numerous TV episodes and other movies throughout his career. The film’s cinematography, by Arch R. Dalzell, is also noteworthy, particularly for its use of light and shadow to create a sense of foreboding.

While “The Brotherhood of Satan” may not be a perfect movie, it is a worthwhile entry in the horror genre that deserves recognition for its contributions to the genre. Fans of classic horror movies, particularly those interested in Satanic horror or slow-burn suspense, may find it worth a watch.

One aspect of the movie that stands out is its portrayal of the small town community. The movie takes place in a remote desert town where the Satanic cult holds sway over the local population. The film does a good job of creating a sense of isolation and claustrophobia, as the main characters find themselves trapped in a hostile environment where they don’t know who they can trust.

The movie’s themes of corruption and manipulation are also interesting. The Satanic cult is shown to be able to exert a great deal of influence over the townspeople, who seem to have been brainwashed into following their leader. This reflects a common fear in horror movies of the time, that small-town communities can be corrupted by outside forces and become hotbeds of evil.

“The Brotherhood of Satan” is a flawed but interesting horror movie that should appeal to fans of the genre. Its slow-burn approach and moody atmosphere make it stand out from more traditional horror fare, and its portrayal of a Satanic cult in a small town remains an intriguing premise to this day.

Technical Commentary

Video

Sourced from a new 2K scan supplied by Sony Pictures, “The Brotherhood of Satan” provides an impressive 1080p 2.35:1 transfer. This is one of those films where a little “rough around the edges” appearance actually helps the mood of the film. Film grain maintains a natural structure with impressive details in facial features, clothing, and set design. Black levels are nice and inky, a couple of sequences are a little lighter than others and likewise a few are a bit close to crush – but nothing serious.

Audio 

“The Brotherhood of Satan” arrives with a LPCM 2.0 mono track. Well balanced between scoring, dialog, and sound effects, this is a nice active mix with plenty of atmosphere. Once the film sets into its groove, the pacing of the dialog allows for a nice bit of background sound effects to come to life. It’s a simple sound design but it’s effective when you have a feeling like something is always lurking in the distance.

Special Features

• Audio Commentary featuring Troy Howarth and Nathaniel Thompson
• The Devil You Know (HD 12:46)
• Kim Newman on The Brotherhood of Satan (HD 15:01)
• Theatrical Trailer