Devil's Kiss (1976)

[bunniefuu]

How nice.

Why don't you come in?

- Your Grace.

- Countess of Moncorn.

Please don't call me that.

I detest that name.

I am now Claire Grandier...

which is my maiden name.

Just call me Claire Grandier...

the psychic.

This is my only name.

The Countess of Moncorn

is not more.

Don't say that.

You still belong with us.

Everyone will be happy to see you.

Happy to see me like this...

penniless and

with no future.

When bad luck struck,

I was in India.

By the time I heard of

the tragedy, it was too late.

Still, you didn't help me

when you returned.

Your brother bought

our stables for almost nothing.

But don't you worry...

no one recognised me.

People don't look at the poor.

But I recognised you

in Paris.

I wanted you to.

You must be

the only one to know.

You must promise me.

I give you my word.

No one will know anything.

The Countess of Moncorn

is no longer.

Perhaps you could communicate

with her spirit.

This is no laughing matter.

Communication with the other world

is the most compelling proof

of the immortality

of the soul.

The same is true

about Good and Evil.

You invited me

to join you tonight...

but this party

has become boring.

And here we are,

miles away from Paris.

Thank you for sending

a car to the station.

Let me introduce you

to Professor Gruber,

an expert in telepathy.

His research on animal

cell regeneration

is stalling,

due to lack of funding.

The two of us represent

the perfect union

between spirit and matter.

Please come in.

My guests are waiting.

Has anyone seen my shoes?

- Where's my brush?

- It's on the bed.

Dear friends,

in a few minutes,

our exquisite models

from Claris Creation...

will proudly showcase

their work...

right here,

at the Haussemont castle.

Come on girls, let's go.

We're ready.

As soon as this is over,

we'll start our little séance.

It will be a big surprise.

What a waste to try and entertain

aristocrats with spiritism

while being so utterly bored.

Boredom is contagious.

I don't think many of my guests

believe in spiritism.

But that won't be

a problem for you.

I don't believe

in "problems."

Those are wordily matters...

and I live in another world.

Follow me.

I'll lead the way.

And it is with Betty

that we conclude

this parade of beauty.

And now,

ladies and gentlemen,

a few surprises.

A big surprise.

Dear guests, you are about

to communicate with the other world

thanks to the wonderful psychic...

Madame Grandier.

How ridiculous.

This is typical of the duke.

He's always been

quite the eccentric.

I've never believed

in this nonsense.

This Duke of Haussemont

is really strange.

Spiritism, in this day and age?

I much prefer the fashion show.

For sure.

They're flesh and blood...

...amazing flesh.

Come on, Betty,

go get dressed.

We don't have all night.

I have to take a shower.

Don't wait up.

Be quick.

Our guests are waiting.

Don't worry,

I'll be a minute.

Don't keep

the baron waiting.

Let me worry about

the Baron de Clanchard.

I just don't want

to miss the séance.

I don't care

for that rubbish.

Come on, girls,

it's about to start.

She's not interested...

too bad.

Put the box down.

You like art, don't you?

You thief.

I like pretty things too.

I won't say a word

if you treat me well.

You wh*re.

Let us now put our hands

on the table,

creating

an endless chain

that nothing in the world

will ever break.

In the Great Beyond float

the souls who have passed.

In the world of shadows, we shall

reunite with the heavenly spirits.

I can put you

in contact with them.

Right now.

Five and a half years ago,

my brother Laurent

had a fatal

horseback-riding accident.

I would like

to hear from him.

Please call him.

Very well, let us

concentrate on the duke

and on

the departed's spirit.

No one is to break the chain.

That would be dangerous.

I'm calling to you...

forces of Good and Evil.

Forces of the Darkness,

please allow Laurent's

spirit to return tonight.

Forces of the Living,

let him return.

do you hear me?

Answer me.

Tell me you are approaching

these premises.

I can feel your presence.

Is that you?

Is that really you?

Give me a sign.

I must know...

is that you?

I can feel your presence.

It is really you,

is it not?

Are you here with us?

I can feel you.

You are near.

Yes, you are near.

Laurent.

What was that?

It sounded like a scream.

It came from upstairs.

Turn on the light.

I won't fall for that.

Those tricks won't fool me.

You are nothing

but a bunch of crooks.

Everything was

orchestrated in advance.

How could the duke agree

to such a masquerade?

What happened?

Is she...?

She lost consciousness.

She must have fainted.

- But she screamed.

- Betty, how are you feeling?

Are you all right?

What happened?

That was so strange--

the light. The light.

What light?

What do you mean?

The lights suddenly went out.

Everything became

so strange.

But when we got here,

the light was on.

I was brushing my hair

and the lights went out.

I suddenly felt a chill

and some sort of presence.

- A presence?

- I'm not sure.

It was such an odd sensation.

You have to believe me.

This used to be his room.

I doubt that many people will

come back after what happened.

I wanted to convince them

of something

I don't even know

or understand.

I don't think

Betty would lie to us.

She'd never met you before.

I know that

she's telling the truth.

There are things

you can't lie about.

The question is not

who's playing whom...

The mysteries

of the occult

remain mysteries surrounded

by tangible signs

that only those with spiritual

prowess can grasp.

For them, there isn't

any mystery,

only despair,

laughter or tears

when faced with the clash

between Good and Evil...

which are the same force, only

pulling in different directions.

You are frightening me.

I'll never have

peace of mind again.

I'll always have the feeling

of being spied upon

by invisible creatures.

Those who saw the whole process

don't seem to doubt it.

Neither do I.

In fact, I would

like you to stay.

Don't be offended

by my words.

I would like for you

to stay at the castle

to continue your research

on the occult.

Please, think about it.

But how do you think--

This is not an act

of charity,

but a trade.

You help me...

and I offer you

my hospitality.

Your hospitality comes

a bit too late.

You've never forgiven me

for buying your stables, have you?

And I never will.

Let's forget about that for now.

I am offering you the chance

to continue your research

in a calm and

peaceful environment.

What do you think?

I haven't heard you

say a word, Professor.

You're not

the talkative kind.

I think words are

mostly unnecessary.

I know what people think

and I act accordingly.

We'll stay.

Wonderful.

So you are an expert

in telepathy?

That is a field

I would love to explore.

Loreta, our chambermaid,

will be here in a moment.

She will show you

to your rooms.

- Did you call me, sir?

- Come in.

She is the only woman

who's ever lived in this house.

A lot of peculiar things

have happened in her room...

Please, feel free

to bring your belongings

and stay here permanently.

If you need to buy

any kind of equipment,

- I'll gladly pay for it.

I shall return to Paris.

Claire, you can stay.

I will be back in a few days

with my things.

Madame, I do remember

you enjoy horseback riding.

Please, feel free to ride

your favourite horses.

I'm sure you'll love

this area.

François, check over there.

The b*stard can't be too far.

Poor thing.

And stop crying.

Nothing happened, all right?

Come on,

don't you worry.

Thank God we arrived in time.

He didn't touch you.

You. Come out of there.

So it's you

they're looking for.

Come in.

Sit down.

Right here.

Stay put.

I'll be right back.

Joseph, take my horse.

I'm going to get something

from the kitchen.

I'd rather have dinner

in my room. Just an old habit.

Please ask His Grace

to excuse me.

You'll sleep here for now.

Wait.

You'll eat when I say so.

Sit down.

Here.

Pace yourself.

Will you give me a hand?

I want to take these

to the cellar.

If that's what you want,

I won't interfere

with your experiments.

But please, don't keep me

in the dark too long.

We'll share all

our secrets soon enough.

Show a little patience.

Curiosity is eating me up.

I don't know how long

I'll be able to wait.

I am not a patient person.

I just cannot wait.

Well, I can.

For as long as I have to...

alone, in the dark...

for the invisible.

All that because

of other people.

For years,

I've done nothing but wait.

I've waited and I've seen the

Vulcars take Philippe's belongings.

they said he never took

the opportunity to marry me...

a poor medical student.

Stop torturing yourself.

The Count of Moncorn--

Philippe committed suicide

because no one would help him.

His death was

partly my fault...

because I took him

out of his world.

He can stay.

Maybe he can help you.

This is what

we've always longed for:

I get all the necessary

equipment,

and you reach your goal,

thanks to your victims.

"Victims"?

That's not the exact word.

For years, I've been longing

to avenge Philippe.

People are all the same.

Only thinking of themselves.

But I am stronger than them...

much stronger.

Satan and Astaroth...

will help us avenge the insults

Philippe and I have received.

On this book

of Astaroth, I swear...

that this castle will be cursed

for centuries to come.

It shall be overcome

by Lucifer's power.

We shall soon put the principal

of solaria regeneration to use.

I'm almost ready.

These dead cells

are about to regenerate.

In a few hours,

brand new cells will appear

thanks to the injected

microorganisms.

That will occur only if the supreme

breath of life penetrates the cells.

Only the Prince

of Darkness can help us.

If we invoke him,

the soul of one of his servants

will enter the empty body--

a necessary process to regenerate

the human machine.

Poor man. What a tragedy.

From what they say, the wheels

of the car smashed his head.

They wanted

to bury him immediately.

See?

They're burying him

in the potter's field

'cause he had no family.

By the way, the duke left

for Paris this morning.

He asked me to tell you.

He had a phone call.

He'll be away for a few days.

Very well, Loreta.

Thanks.

Romain... l think we found

what we'd been looking for.

Jean, anytime

is a good time.

What are you doing here?

I'm now in charge

of the duke's stables.

I wanted to talk to him,

but unfortunately,

I heard he'd left.

Yes, he's left

for a few days.

So you'll be free

to see me.

You think there's such

a thing as freedom here?

We'll find a way...

you'll see.

Men have only one thing

on their minds.

Spending days around horses

can be boring.

You don't dedicate all

your time to the duke, right?

Him? He never acts on it.

Be careful.

You'll tear my dress.

Not if you take it off...

There it is.

Let's start digging.

- Claire, keep an eye out.

- Of course.

Almost there.

One last pull.

Don't be afraid.

I came to bring you

a few candles.

- 1 wasn't expecting to see you.

- The transformer's damaged.

We'll be without electricity

for a few days.

Come on, hurry up.

Someone might see us.

Joseph didn't see anything

when I asked him for candles.

He's not suspecting anything.

What's wrong?

Is it your heart again?

You mustn't strain yourself.

Some day, my heart

will give out on me...

that is certain.

But don't you worry...

I still have some strength left.

The professor is working so hard,

he can't even join us for dinner.

Try to understand...

you put so much pressure

on him for quick results

that the poor man

is working day and night.

I hope the power failure

isn't too bothersome.

Candlelight

isn't the best,

but we're used to it.

We were told we'd be without

electricity for a whole week.

I am fascinated

by your research.

But, as promised,

I won't be a bother.

Who is it?

It's me.

Open the door.

So, how is it?

I'm done. It wasn't easy,

but I've rebuilt his head.

Would you like to see?

How hideous.

That's exactly

what we wanted.

He's going to be

quite the creature.

We'll start our final

experiment tonight.

I'm about to inject him

with some regenerative cells.

In five to six hours,

the rejuvenation process

will be completed.

The microorganisms will spread

throughout the body on their own.

Let's hope the process ends

within the next six hours.

That's when we'll need

the powers of the occult forces.

It's been more than six hours.

The transformation should have

already occurred.

Let's take a look.

Let's hope I am strong enough

to dominate the Satanic mind

that will take control

of the poor guy's body.

I conjure you, Lucifer,

Lucibel and Satan.

By the powers of

this magical talisman,

the Book of Astaroth...

Solomon's talisman..

The one and only

talisman...

I am calling to you,

I am coming to you.

Will I be the chosen one?

I want to be your sl*ve.

From now on, my body and my soul

shall be yours forever.

May your mysterious forces

rule over mortals and immortals.

Occult Forces

of the Darkness...

I am calling

to your Emperor Lucifer.

Beelzebub, prince of darkness,

Asterov, great Duke...

I am coming to you

as your sl*ve.

Make this body yours,

and answer our prayer.

By Lucifuges, Barbes

and Agares...

Belial and Belphegor,

Molecome and Esmudy,

I invoke your Satanic forces.

Astarte,

Queen of the darkness...

powerful and

eternal spirit...

make this body

an instrument for revenge.

Make this body

an instrument for revenge.

What an unexpected storm.

Loreta, shut the window.

I'm getting cold.

I'd only felt this way

the night of the séance.

How odd.

By the way, why haven't

Madame Grandier and the professor

joined me for dinner?

Go to the cellar and

tell them I'm expecting them.

Satan, you've sent us

a lost soul

endowed with eternal powers.

Astarov and Astarte...

may your powers

remain indestructible.

May Belial's incantation

be fulfilled.

Stop here.

Don't move.

Come now.

- Look out.

- Calm down.

Now go sit down.

- Who is it?

- It's me, Madame.

His Grace sent me

to inform you dinner is served.

We won't be joining him tonight.

We'll stay down here.

What we are working on

is of the most importance.

Tell the duke we'll show him

our results soon.

- Is that clear?

- Yes, Madame. I'll tell him.

It's all right now, Romain.

I didn't think

I could hold out.

I have to make

incredible efforts

to control him

telepathically.

My heart is about to burst.

Luckily, the antidote

I injected him with...

put him in a temporary

state of trance.

God, it hurts.

He'll be out

of his lethargy

once we give him

another shot.

I think he'll be

a good tool,

but we have to keep

an eye on him.

I can't afford to be distracted.

I'd lose control of him,

and that could be

dangerous

because

he's extremely strong.

I haven't been able to restore

his verbal skills.

His brain suffered

too much damage.

It makes no difference.

Tonight, at last, I will see

my dreams of revenge come true.

And you will become

the Duke of Haussemont.

If there's nothing else

I can do, I'll go to my room.

You may go.

Don't you think we--

Have a good night, Loretta.

I almost forgot... Tell Joseph

and Charles to let me sleep in.

I'm rather tired and

I'd like to get some sleep.

Remind Joseph to call

the electric company

to see if they can come by

to fix the transformer.

Very well, sir.

Who are you?

The fire has been put out,

but unfortunately, nothing

could be done for the duke.

You said the electricity was out,

but the lights are on.

We found a cigarette end

by the duke's body.

I was expecting that.

The duke might have set his bed

on fire when he fell asleep.

But why the candelabra

on the bed?

Maybe he lost consciousness

while lighting his cigarette.

All we can do is wait

for the autopsy report.

Joseph, come pick me up

when the professor returns.

I assume you've searched

the castle for some clues.

Of course I have.

Everything is in order.

Please understand that this

situation is quite upsetting.

We were the duke's guests.

I understand, but I also know you

were planning on moving in for good.

And that's one more reason

why we are so sad.

The duke was our protector

and benefactor.

The professor was conducting

some experiments in the cellar.

What kind of experiments?

That's confidential...

except for you, of course.

The duke loved his horses

and I was in charge

of developing a vaccine.

Please keep that

to yourself.

That is confidential

professional information.

I understand.

Please go on.

Now that the duke is dead,

we are homeless.

We are suffering from this tragedy

more than anyone else.

Good morning, Judge. I assume

you came to collect the body?

If your men have taken

the customary pictures,

I guess we can leave now.

Very good, Susanne.

A few more.

Give me some sensuality.

Ready?

Now-- there you go.

Now close the piano.

Lie down next to the piano.

A few more,

and we'll be done.

I'll go.

Don't move. I'll be back.

Richard, a telegram for you.

Don't you worry. The castle

is big enough for all of us.

You can go on with

your experiments on the horses.

Go on with it. I'll probably

wear them out anyway,

so to speak.

I have no desire

to kick you out.

Uncle Victor was wealthy enough

to feed an army.

Please stay.

We are truly grateful.

We weren't expecting anything less

from a person like you.

You are truly noble.

Don't say that.

Uncle Victor thought I became

too much of a liberal...

after Laurent,

my father, died.

I'm surprised

I'm still in his will.

Sir, Joseph brought

your belongings.

Which room will you be

staying in?

In yours, my dear.

Do you mind?

How sweet.

I'm flattered.

What's your name?

listen, Loretta, I've slept

in the worst places,

so anything will do.

Put me wherever suits you best.

Anything else I can do?

Don't bother with formalities.

They disgust me.

Let everyone

do their own thing.

As for me,

I'll take a nap.

Careful.

- Slowly.

- Go ahead.

Thank God, we had time to hide

the dwarf and the coffin.

If you're tired,

we can take a break.

We can stay here.

No, it would be too late.

We can't afford

to waste any more time,

and I'm already losing

my strength day by day.

We just cannot wait.

I'll wake him up.

I hope this experiment works.

Romain. He escaped.

Romain, wake up.

Can you hear me?

Give me a hand.

- We'll keep her here.

- How could that happen?

I don't know. Maybe the drugs

stopped working.

I think...

I know...

His body must have

acclimatised to the serum,

and the injections had

less effect on him.

We'll have to give him

a higher dose every time.

And how do you feel?

What bothers me is that

I can't control the zombie.

He must be

far away by now.

I can still feel

his telepathic waves, though.

I think I can find him.

Let's go, then.

We have to find him.

What about the dwarf?

No one will notice an additional

grave at the cemetery.

Over there.

I can feel the waves.

I can feel him near me.

Stop right here.

He's close.

Let me concentrate.

There he is.

Get the syringe

and double the dose.

The castle of Clanchard

is a few miles away.

We should take

advantage of that.

Let's take him

to the baron.

But Claire...

we can't do that.

We're not prepared.

And I'm afraid

of the horrific actions

perpetrated by this creature.

You're forgetting one thing.

The fact that you lost your

attraction for me, or for any woman,

doesn't mean you can

withdraw our agreement.

If you are afraid,

don't worry.

Philippe and I

were regular visitors.

I know the place.

I could draw a map of it...

with my eyes closed.

We can follow the zombie.

To get in, the castle has

special doors for guests.

And today's guests

will be... us.

We haven't seen her all day.

We checked her room.

Her things are still there.

How strange.

We'll need to call the police.

This could be a m*rder case.

Look, the paper mentions

a m*rder in the area.

"The Baron of Clanchard and a maid

were found dead this morning.

The butler found the baron,

who had been strangled.”

How tragic. Loretta

must have been k*lled.

Nobody will suspect anyone

for the m*rder of Loreta

because she's not dead.

In her body lay the powers

of Astaroth and Lucifer.

Wait, I'll be right down.

What a surprise.

- 1 wasn't expecting to see you.

- You left Paris so quickly.

I need to look

over my inheritance.

- 1 don't want to be in your way.

- You're joking.

I've been bored out of my mind.

This place is quite austere.

This is my room.

Make it yours for

as long as you want.

- What will the servants say?

- What can they say?

We are all adults.

Loreta's a clever girl.

She sleeps next door.

She wasn't feeling well,

so I allowed her to take a break.

You "allowed" her?

You're the new duke here.

That's right.

I can't go on.

I hope Claire gets

tired of this soon.

It's a pity the professor couldn't

join us. He must be busy.

He is indeed busy

with the vaccine.

It's best not to disturb him.

I'm sure you understand.

Of course. Susanne will stay

with us for a while.

It's a pleasure

to have you here.

You know what?

I'm not particularly

fond of that woman.

I'm not either.

I'm fond of you.

You can say that again

when you get tired of me.

- Then we'll see.

- Why wait?

Let's just end it now.

Not a chance.

Come here.

Come on.

Take your clothes off.

What happened?

Why don't you talk to me?

Talk to me.

What was that?

It sounded like a scream.

It came from Loreta's room.

She looked possessed.

I've never seen

such fury in a woman.

It was horrible.

I was planning

on seeing you tomorrow.

I'll have your uncle's final

autopsy report by 5pm.

The coroner needed

more time,

considering the corpse

was badly burnt,

especially the head

and neck area.

We found strangulation

marks on the duke.

My uncle was m*rder*d?

Something strange

has come up.

Please come take a look.

Madame, would you like

a cognac to calm you down?

Thank you, Joseph.

But hurry. I don't

want to be alone.

The results look strange.

And this is the only

electroencephalogram we can do.

She's like dead.

I've just put

new electrodes on her,

and here's what came out.

What will we do with him?

Let's leave him here

and set the house on fire.

The cops will be here soon.

What about the zombie?

We can't leave him here.

He could give us some trouble.

It would be much easier

to just get rid of him.

No, not him.

How do you plan

to carry him?

I couldn't lift him,

and you're too weak to help.

We'll wake him up

and he'll walk.

That's too dangerous.

And you're too weak.

Let's just leave him here.

The fire will destroy everything.

After years of struggle...

I can't leave him here.

He's mine now. I'll take him

with me. He's mine.

She's suffering from catalepsy.

- Doctor?

- Come in, Leblanc.

I've decided to give her

shock treatment right away.

It can't wait.

Go.

What's going on?

What's wrong?

I call upon Satan...

do not allow

this experiment to end.

That's the only explanation

I can give you

without an in-depth

examination.

It is hard to believe,

but the person you brought here

was already dead.

Take a look at the results.

Her movements seemed to be guided

by some unknown force.

The trance only appeared

when the flux

keeping her quasi-alive

disappeared.

The shock treatment was crucial,

even though I can't say for certain.

This case is fascinating.

Tomorrow, my colleagues

and I will start...

an in-depth study

of her remains.

Who knows? We might

discover what happened

thanks to our research.

Research?

The professor's research.

Susanne.

She might be in danger.

Later. Let's go.

If I'm right,

we'll get there in time.

And we'll shed light

on the duke's death.

Inspector. Don't sh**t.

Be careful with the girl.

Look out.

Don't look at him,

Susanne.