During World War II the wife of Baron von Rhoneberg dies in childbirth. The child, a girl, was murdered shortly after its birth by the Baron (Jean Servais). Back in the twelfth century the family patriarch, Sigfried von Rhoneberg, is said to have sold his soul to the devil. In exchange for services, the Baron agrees to give the devil, in addition to his soul, the first-born daughter of each generation, as a succubus, to the devil. The Baron killed his daughter in hopes of breaking the curse.
Years later a group of tourists are stuck when a recent flood destroys the bridge in front of them. The driver of the van, Ducha (Christian Maillet) asks a man standing nearby for directions to the nearest hotel. The man, who is actually the devil (Daniel Emilfork), tells him that the nearby castle sometimes takes in guests. Ducha drives up to the castle and everyone gets out. The front door of the castle slowly swings open on its own. Everyone enters.
The family butler, Hans (Maurice De Groote), welcomes everyone and shows them to rooms. The other visitors are Alvin Sorel (Jacques Monseau), a seminary student, Howard and Nancy Foster (Lorenzo Terzon and Colette Emmanuelle), Mr. Mason (Lucien Raimbourg), Regine (Shirley Corrigan) and Corinne (Ivana Novak). In each room Hans tells the occupant a gruesome story about murders that happened in each room during some point in the castle’s history.
After dinner a woman shows up at the door. The maid, Martha, recognizes the woman, Lisa Muller (Erika Blanc). Unknown by anyone else is that Lisa is Martha’s daughter. Lisa is also the daughter of the Baron’s older brother, Rudolph, who died during WWII. Since Lisa is the daughter of a von Rhoneberg, she is also a succubus. As soon as she comes to the castle, Lisa begins drawing each of the tourists into a situation that results in their violent death.
“The Devil’s Nightmare” AKA “La plus longue nuit du diable” or “The Devil's Longest Night” AKA “La terrificante notte del demonio” or “The Terrifying Night of the Demon” AKA “The Devil Walks at Midnight”, “Succubus”, “Vampire Playgirls”, “Satan's Playthings”, and “Castle of Death”. It was released in 1971 and was directed by Jean Brismee. It is an Italian and Belgium psychological horror film.
It’s not a bad little thriller. It relies mostly on sex to sell instead of violence. There is a lesbian tryst that stands out more than any of the deaths. The deaths are varied but mostly off screen and bloodless. The version I have is badly dubbed but most European movies are. For the most part, it is your above average European horror movie, atmospheric and mostly enjoyable.
Each of the tourists represents of one of the Seven Deadly Sins. Ducha represents Gluttony, Nancy- Greed, Howard- Envy, Corrine- Lust, Mason-Wrath, Regine- Sloth and the seminarian, Alvin Sorel- Pride.