Lemora - A Child's Tale of the Supernatural 1973 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Atmosphere plays a large part in any successful horror film. Much of the story is set in the foundation of which it is set via scenery - the very point being that you are encircled by the visual and sonic ideas of the movie set itself. While in the case of B-Horror films, low budget and others in this genre it is often mistaken that such films should not have identifiable traits such as heavy makeup, night shots and so forth. Lemora is a film which moves beyond all of those points and does it extremely well. Being a film which is finally getting its due by being retransferred from the original and issued on DVD the Halloween of 2003 by Synapse Films! Lemora begins with the central character Lila Lee (Cheryl Smith aka Rainbeaux Smith) who plays a young 14 year old girl who is living in the home of the Reverend (played by Director Richard Blackburn) of a small town. The "Singing Angel" Lee is the darling of the local church, and the Reverend's prize student. Lila's gangster father, Alvin Lee (William Whitton) escapes from prison to go on a small rampage, killing several including his own cheating wife. Alvin drives out into the backwoods and is stopped by a hooded and pale Lemora (Lesley Gilb) and two male vampires. They capture Alvin Lee and Lemora obtains a newspaper clip of Lee and his daughter, Lila. Lemora goes on to summon the young girl there, who is forced to evade werewolf-like ghouls and fall directly in the hands of Lemora. The film moves though what seems to be a fairy tale and is very haunting and strange. One specific scene of haunting beauty is when Lila discovers a long - dead girl in a glass coffin - a young lady named Mary Jo Spinks, who knew Lemora years before. Lila is faced with a choice which will cross her over the veil of death into immortality…one of the few vampire films which goes beyond common 'horror' into a wonderful story setting. Considering there is little to no nudity, Lemora is one of those rare gems you can watch with almost anyone late at night, guaranteed to give some nightmares to those susceptible to getting frightened by horror movies. Lemora herself is a haunting and strong character, who reminds one of the old stories of Lilith who is the mother of vampires and succubi - also the Lamia who drinks the blood of children. Her Coven members are equally as interesting along with the bestial vampires who live in the deep woods. The films lighting direction is done extremely well, as with the actual shots and scenery set ups. Blackburn accomplished what so many horror films 10 times the budget cannot do - gather and encircle the viewer in atmosphere. The music score is primitive, yet timeless and a compliment to the film and its direction. A MUST for Vampire fans! Coming Soon on DVD via www.synapse-films.com Lemora - A Child's Tale of the
Supernatural Lesley Gilb / Lemora |
review © Michael Ford 2003
picture courtesy of and © Synapse-Films
http://www.synapse-films.com/
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