The Devil's Rain

The Devil's Rain is a 1975 horror film directed by Robert Fuest and starring Ernest Borgnine, Eddie Albert, and Ida Lupino. The film tells the story of a family descended from a group of witches who were burned at the stake during the 17th century. The family is cursed by a devil-worshipping priest who seeks to possess an ancient book of spells, causing them to become the target of a mysterious and malevolent force.

Ernest Borgnine portrays Corbis, the leader of a Satanic cult, who is determined to retrieve the book of spells that was stolen from him by the Preston family generations ago. Eddie Albert plays Dr. Sam Richards, a local doctor who gets caught up in the supernatural events that unfold.

The film opens with a prologue set in 17th century New Mexico, where a group of witches are being burned at the stake by a group of Puritan colonists. Among the witches is the ancestor of the Preston family, who vows that her family will one day get revenge on their persecutors.

Flash forward to present day Arizona, where the current patriarch of the Preston family, Steve (played by William Shatner), receives a visit from his long-lost brother Mark (Tom Skerritt). Mark has recently been in contact with Corbis, who has promised to return the book of spells to the Preston family in exchange for Mark's assistance in retrieving it.

Steve is skeptical about Corbis' offer, but Mark insists on following through with the plan. Mark heads to Corbis' desert cult compound to retrieve the book, but he is captured and subjected to a series of bizarre and disturbing rituals. Steve and Dr. Richards set out to rescue him, but they soon find themselves in the grip of Corbis' malevolent influence.

Throughout the film, the characters are subjected to a series of increasingly horrifying supernatural occurrences. The Devil's Rain itself is a liquid substance that is central to the plot, appearing as a greenish-yellow ooze that can melt flesh and bone on contact. Corbis seeks to use the Devil's Rain to gain ultimate power and immortality, and the Prestons must stop him before it's too late.

The Devil's Rain features some impressive special effects for its time, including elaborate makeup and prosthetics for some of the more monstrous characters. The film also benefits from a strong cast, with Ernest Borgnine delivering an especially memorable performance as the evil Corbis.

However, there are some flaws to the film's pacing and plot structure. The film can feel disjointed at times, with some scenes dragging on for too long while others feel rushed. The plot also suffers from some plot holes and unanswered questions.

Overall, The Devil's Rain is a flawed but entertaining horror film that showcases the talents of its cast and crew. Fans of cult horror may find it worth checking out, but it's unlikely to win over anyone who isn't already a fan of the genre.