Here at Ex-Ninja we're (which means me, only one poor fucker) all friends of Jimmy Sangster, the brilliant British writer who wrote some of Hammer's best stuff and then had a long career in nifty, interesting TV-movies for the American market. There's a couple of his earlier works here at the blog, just search this names, but today I'm gonna write a little bit abotu Good Against Evil, a 1977 TV-pilot that was meant to be a series starring Dack Rambo (is that a name of a gay porn star or not?) as the skeptic young man and the asshole-ish priest played by the wonderful character actor Dan O'Herlihy solving satanic mysteries or something like that. You know the deal. People was crazy during that time and far into the eighties, believing there was devil worshipper around every corner.
Good Against Evil is bascially a mix between Rosemary's Baby and The Exorcist, but without the intelligence. Nothing bad with that, it's entertainment, but Sangster probably slept over his typewriter and accidentally wrote this - that's how good he was. It starts in 1955, our beloved devil worshippers - among them the leader, played by the always brilliant Richard Lynch - just gotten themselve a baby! So cute! Anyway, somehow this baby girl is antichrist - or something - and they're gonna spend their life making hers the best one ever. In 1977 she's a successful designer, but after literary bumping into a writer, the Rambo guy, she falls in loves and soon they plans to marry - in a church! But Richard Lynch wants something else, kidnaps here and the mystery is on!
By 1977 the TV-movies had become far more mainstream and simple and Good Against Evil is a good example of that. It's not especially original or have any fantastic twists, it's a human drama set against a backdrop of evil devil worshippers. Because it's cool they have an exorcism sequence at the end and lots of beautiful satanic props being used by the antagonists! I bet there's a warehouse in LA pack with all the stuffed used in Satan-themed horro movies from the 70's! Give me the key please. I will live there from now on. The best thing with the whole movie is Richard Lynch who gives everything he gots even if he's quite underwritten. I love when they worship the devil in the desert (just look at The Devil's Rain) and of course he's out there, praying and looking sinister. Brilliant.
And yes, the hero-priest is an asshole. I always had problems with assholes in movies, especially if they're priests. They should be kill early on, but this guy - he's the hero and he's a fucking bully. I would have kicked him out of my fancy San Francisco house directly if I was Dack Rambo! With that name I would shoot him directly to hell with a bazooka! Naked, because Dack Rambo is a gay porn name. IMHO.
Don't expect gore, violence or sex. This is a very kind-hearted TV-movie, but still... it's cozy the way American TV-movies from the 70's could be. Very cozy, perfect for a Sunday morning or a lazy afternoon. The UK DVD has decent picture quality also, which helps a lot. Many of these films are released in terrible editions - if we're not talking about Warner Archive who's blessed us with a lot of fine releases since they started. I would upgrade Good Against Evil if someone released a better version, without a doubt.
I've written many words about a so-so TV-movie. But that's me, can't friggin' stop myself!
"Here at Ex-Ninja we're (which means me, only one poor fucker) all friends of Jimmy Sangster, the brilliant British writer who wrote some of Hammer's best stuff and then had a long career in nifty, interesting TV-movies for the American market."
Well...I think I only seen The Mummy (1959), Dracula (1958), that´s about I think when it comes to Sangsters writing.
"a 1977 TV-pilot that was meant to be a series starring Dack Rambo (is that a name of a gay porn star or not?)"
Sure sounds like that........damn, just looked at IMDB.....he took that name of all the names he could´ve taken...???!!!
His brother was called Dirk Rambo...???
And he died of AIDS, and he was bisexual according to IMDB.
I only remember this guy from Dallas.
"You know the deal. People was crazy during that time and far into the eighties, believing there was devil worshipper around every corner."
No, ninja, you are wrong....people still do believe that, just look at Jesus Camp(2006).
http://youtu.be/RSwZJ55g80Q
"The best thing with the whole movie is Richard Lynch who gives everything he gots even if he's quite underwritten. I love when they worship the devil in the desert (just look at The Devil's Rain) and of course he's out there, praying and looking sinister. Brilliant."
Lynch was perfect for that kind of film.....and him playing cultleader.....must be amazing!
"With that name I would shoot him directly to hell with a bazooka! Naked, because Dack Rambo is a gay porn name. IMHO."
Whoa...easy there, young man.....you have a crush on Rambo...?
"I've written many words about a so-so TV-movie. But that's me, can't friggin' stop myself!"
But I´m glad you did....you should see yourself as an film archaeologist, digging up stuff that....well.....most of us have never heard about, seen or even worse, forgotten.
You are the digital version of Indiana Jones, using your keyboard as a whip, and errrr...well , you know where I´m gong with this....aw, hell....cue theme music.
http://youtu.be/CXDY0jvaCPw
Good review and thanks.
Posted by: Megatron | March 17, 2013 at 15:37
No no, he's far from my style. But the name is just hilarious! He must have been drunk when he took it or - or his parents maybe was drunk ;)
Posted by: Fred Anderson | March 18, 2013 at 08:20