Blood Sucking Freaks

Blood Sucking Freaks is a 1976 exploitation-splatter film directed by Joel M. Reed and starring Seamus O'Brien, Luis De Jesus, Viju Krem, Niles McMaster, Dan Fauci, Alan Dellay, and Ernie Pysher. Shot under the title Sardu: Master of the Screaming Virgins, it was retitled The Incredible Torture Show during its original theatrical run.[1]

Blood Sucking Freaks
Film poster
Directed byJoel M. Reed
Produced byAlan C. Margolin
Written byJoel M. Reed
StarringSeamus O'Brien
Luis De Jesus
Viju Krem
Niles McMaster
Dan Fauci
Alan Dellay
Ernie Pysher
Music byMichael Sahl
CinematographyRon Dorfman
Edited byJoel R. Herson
Victor Kanefsky
Distributed byTroma Entertainment
Release date
  • 1976 (1976)
Running time
91 min.
LanguageEnglish

Film distributor Troma Entertainment retitled the film Blood Sucking Freaks (sometimes spelled Bloodsucking Freaks) upon their acquisition of it.[2] Troma initially made cuts in hopes of getting an R rating, but eventually released the version that had all of the most graphic scenes included and was labeled as an R-rated film despite having no such desgination from the MPAA. The ratings group then sued Troma for copyright infringement in applying the R without permission; Troma then withdrew the R, and to date the MPAA has refused to give "Bloodsucking Freaks" a review at all, leaving it as one of the most controversial non-rated films of all time.

Plot

Master Sardu (Seamus O'Brien) runs a Grand Guignol-style theatre with his assistant, the little person Ralphus. They present grotesque sadomasochism shows depicting torture and murder. Unbeknownst to audiences and critics, the events depicted are real, not staged; the tortured participants are kidnapped victims forced into sexual slavery.

Theatre critic Creasy Silo incurs Sardu's wrath by mocking his pretensions of art. Sardu responds by kidnapping and torturing Silo, hoping he will give the show a positive review, and by kidnapping ballerina Natasha DeNatalie to force her to participate in shows and lend them some artistic legitimacy. Natasha's football-player boyfriend Tom Maverick and corrupt policeman Detective John Tucci try to find Natasha and unravel the mystery of Sardu's operation. Sardu ultimately gets his comeuppance at the hands of his former captives.

Cast
  • Seamus O'Brien - Sardu
  • Viju Krem - Natasha Di Natalie
  • Niles McMaster - Tom Maverick
  • Dan Fauci - Sergeant Tucci
  • Alan Dellay - Creasy Silo
  • Ernie Pysher - Doctor
  • Luis De Jesus - Ralphus
  • Alphonso DeNoble - White Slaver
  • Illa Howe - Girl on Guillotine

Themes

Blood Sucking Freaks would go on to achieve minor cult-classic status due to its ability to slip between being a serious horror film with sexual overtones and a campy send-up of gore films. The violent deaths of lead actors Seamus O'Brien (stabbed to death in his apartment by a burglar) and Viju Krem (shot on a hunting trip) after the film's release also contributed to the film's notoriety.

Depictions of violence

Some of the torture methods depicted fictionally in the film include the use of thumb screws, a skull crushed by a vise, amputation at the wrist by a bone saw, the amputation of fingers by a meat cleaver, electro-shock, suspension, the extraction of teeth, the portrayal of an electric drill through a skull with the brains sucked through a straw, the amputation of feet by a chainsaw, stretching on St. Andrew's Cross, caning and subsequent decapitation by guillotine, as well as brainwashing, whipping, darts, and quartering.

Reception

Critical reception for the film has been negative.

TV Guide panned the film, awarding it 0/4 stars calling the plot "flimsy" and "[an] exercise in total gross-out".[3] Rob Wrigley from Classic Horror.com stated in his review on the film, "If anything makes it tolerable, it is that it is presented as comedy rather than tragedy. Unfortunately, it falls flat far more than it amuses. One could complain about the misogyny of it all. Or its willingness to offend everyone possible. Or even the vibrant, sardonic performances of the principals. But that is giving the film more credit than it deserves". Wrigley also criticized the film's acting.[4]

Scott Weinberg from eFilmCritic.com panned the film stating in his review, "When people use the term 'bottom of the barrel', they often forget about the UNDERSIDE of the barrel, which is where poorly-made dreck like this belongs. It offers absolutely NOTHING in the way of entertainment, and I think you're a cruel little nutcase if you talk someone else into seeing it," also calling it "The nastiest, filthiest and just about WORST thing you will EVER SEE".[5]

The Encyclopedia of Horror says "the film is deliberately tacky and tongue-in-cheek (but distasteful enough nonetheless), in the spirit of Herschell Gordon Lewis." The book reports the film was the subject of a campaign by Women Against Pornography.[6]

It is considered to be one of the most controversial films of all time by Filmsite.org.[7] It currently has a 29% "Rotten" rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 7 reviews, with an average score of 3.88/10.[8]

In the intro to De La Soul's debut album, 3 Feet High and Rising, a member of the audience in the skit cites Blood Sucking Freaks as his favourite film. Pro wrestler Chris Jericho borrowed the assistant's name for his own use, naming his bodyguard Ralphus in WCW.

Legacy

Joe Bob Briggs opened his second season of The Last Drive-In on Shudder with Chopping Mall and Blood Sucking Freaks.

References
  1. "Bloodsucking Freaks (1975)". The New York Times. 2020-05-01. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 16 October 2007. Retrieved 2020-05-04.
  2. Gingold, Michael (14 April 2020). "RIP "BLOODSUCKING FREAKS" director Joel M. Reed". Rue Morgue. Retrieved 2020-05-04.
  3. "Bloodsucking Freaks Review". TV Guide.com. TV Guide. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  4. Wringley, Rob. "Blood Sucking Freaks (1976) | Classic-Horror.com". Classic Horror.com. Rob Wrigley. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  5. Weinberg, Scott. "Movie Review - Bloodsucking Freaks - eFilmCritic". eFilmCritic.com. Scott Weinberg. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  6. Milne, Tom. Willemin, Paul. Hardy, Phil. (Ed.) Encyclopedia of Horror, Octopus Books, 1986. ISBN 0-7064-2771-8 p 313
  7. Filmsite.org- "Most Controversial Films of All Time"
  8. "Blood Sucking Freaks (Bloodsucking Freaks) - Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes. Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
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