Francisco Brana Movies

Despite the title and promotional materials for this bargain-basement film which feature the logline "Inspired by the works of H.P. Lovecraft," there are virtually no actual references to the works of the legendary American fantasist aside from the word "CTHULHU" embossed on the iron gates of the mansion itself. What passes for a plot involves a gang of obnoxious young drug dealers who decide to ransack the home of practicing magician Chandu (the always excellent Frank Finlay, whose boredom with the role is clearly evident) and hold him and his daughter hostage. Naturally, the evil forces lurking beneath the house will have little of that, and they soon exact their low-budget demonic revenge on the annoying thugs. This shabby, lifeless little Spanish/Italian co-production (also known by the more generic title Black Magic Mansion) has little to recommend it aside from one or two interesting moments, particularly the killer-refrigerator scene. ~ Cavett Binion, Rovi

This bloody, brutally violent drama claims to offer a realistic look at teen-age gang violence and acts of terrorism as it tells the story of one boy who gets entangled with a criminal gang. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

This meandering, low-budget horror tale explores the vampiric origins of Hannah (Teresa Gimpera), once the wife of Louis VII, who rises from her crypt in the 20th century thanks to the meddling of an archaeologist (Andrew Prine) and his weird son (Mark Damon). Actually, it takes more than an hour for the filmmakers to get around to Hannah's awakening and remarkably brief reign of terror; the interim is wasted with a silly subplot involving a "Wild Man" who dispatches several superstitious villagers to ensure the vampire queen's safety. The film's atmosphere benefits from exotic locations (the film was originally produced in Turkey, then augmented with new footage by U.S. distributors), but the threadbare production values make for tedious viewing. Also known as Hannah, Queen of the Vampires and Vampire Woman. ~ Cavett Binion, Rovi

The private eye hired by a jealous husband comes to the rescue of the wife in this Spanish/Portuguese thriller/melodrama. The wife is married to a wealthy but often-absent business tycoon and has grown bored with her lot. She seeks affection and entertainment from an international playboy. When the husband grows suspicious, he hires a private eye to find out what is up. The detective reports her entanglement to the husband, who promptly goes to the playboy's yacht, slits his throat, and imprisons his wife in his country mansion. Eventually, the husband's psychotic machinations become evident to the private eye and he frees the wife before it is too late. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi

After being falsely accused of cattle rustling and murder, rancher Brent Landers (played here by Giuliano Gemma) follows the trail of the man who set him up. Landers happens upon the young Lucy (Evelyn Stewart), stripped naked, tied spread eagle to the ground, and left to bake in the hot desert sun after being sexually assaulted by three men who robbed her stagecoach. Tex Slaughter, the local sheriff, is more interested in handing Brent over for the reward on his head, so Landers has his hands full protecting the recuperating Lucy and bringing the men who raped her to justice, while also trying to stay alive long enough to clear his own name. ~ Cub Koda, Rovi