Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

The Devonsville Terror Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf March 26, 2023

1983’s “The Devonsville Terror” is a story of witchcraft and punishment that evokes the Salem witch trials, with co-writer/director Ulli Lommel questing to find the horror in suspicion and punishment. However, Lommel doesn’t have access to Massachusetts, settling for rural Wisconsin instead, which provides the battleground in this war between sexes, as the writing gradually turns proposed spookiness into an examination of weaponized masculinity set loose inside a small town filled with hostile and tormented characters. “The Devonsville Terror” is bizarre, which always helps the endeavor, with Lommel stumbling through the feature, hitting a few high points of gore and unintentional comedy while trying to sell a half-baked tale of brewing evil and revenge.

In 1683, the leaders of Devonsville gathered to condemn three women for their suspected ties to witchcraft, reveling in torture as the accused were murdered in front of the community. In 1983, Devonsville remains a quiet, rural town, with Jenny (Suzanna Love) the new resident, arriving to become a teacher at the local school. Jenny is different, which piques the curiosity of the local men, including Walter (Paul Wilson), who’s recently murdered his wife. Ralph (Michael Accardo) is a young man with zero tolerance for female rejection. And there’s Matthew (Robert Walker Jr.), who’s more knowing about the history of Devonsville. Jenny is soon targeted for seduction by local men, and they don’t take no for an answer, while Dr. Warley (Donald Pleasence) grasps something odd about the woman, looking to connect her to past acts of witchcraft, also dealing with his heritage as a descendant of a Devonsville inquisition executor.

“The Devonsville Terror” opens with the events of 1683, where local leaders elected to murder three women after accusing them of witchcraft. Obviously, one is burned alive, but things get a little odd with the other two, with pigs feasting on one of the accused, while the other is tied to a wheel, set on fire, and rolled down a hill. It becomes clear in the first five minutes of the picture that Lommel is going after something wild with the endeavor, working on shocking but ridiculous acts of violence to get the movie’s blood pumping.

Such extreme behavior continues in 1983, though “The Devonsville Terror” slows down some, trying to become more atmospheric with its study of local goons and their hatred of women. For Walter, enough is enough at home, casually smothering his wife, continuing on with his life as though nothing happened. Ralph is young and dumb, happy to hit on anything that moves, but he’s quick to rage when things don’t go his way. Dr. Warley is dealing with his own issues, forced to pull worms out of his arms as some type of curse is placed on him due to bloodline issues. The dudes of Devonsville are nothing but trouble, but the focus of the story largely remains on Jenny and her interactions with the locals, who find her educational efforts objectionable and her gender abhorrent. “The Devonsville Terror” deals only occasionally with genre elements, mostly during nightmare sequences, finding more to work with when the He-Man Woman-Haters Club of Wisconsin takes shape, adding pressure to Jenny’s living experience.

The Devonsville Terror Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.83:1 aspect ratio) presentation is a 2K scan of the 35mm internegative. Vinegar Syndrome provides some warning that wear and tear is present during the viewing experience, which is true, but never distracting. Detail maintains some presence, examining facial particulars and textured makeup work. Interiors are also open for study, while exteriors retain depth, capturing the isolation of the rural setting. Colors are nicely refreshed, preserving the autumnal look of the feature. Costuming provides clear primaries, and skin tones are natural. Blacks are heavy at times, especially during evening encounters, but frame information isn't sacrificed.

The Devonsville Terror Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix shows some signs of age, but dialogue exchanges are intelligible throughout the listening experience. Scoring favors synth waves and stings, with decent instrumentation. Sound effects are blunt but appreciable.

The Devonsville Terror Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "Not Very Nice People" (12:11, HD) is an interview with makeup artist Erica Ueland, who tracks her career growth in the industry, eventually working on such horror films as "Halloween" and "Children of the Corn." Thoughts on director Ulli Lommel are shared, with Ueland providing happy memories about "The Devonshire Terror" shoot. Actors are celebrated, with Ueland fighting her limited memory of filming, which occurred decades ago.

• "God is a Woman" (35:22, HD) is an interview with actress Suzanna Love, who recalls her Wisconsin adventure, making her way north to the city of Tomahawk for "The Devonsville Terror" shoot. Love shares her time with director Ulli Lommel (also her husband), previously collaborating with the helmer on his endeavors. Co-stars are assessed, and Love presents a slightly rambling detailing of her life choices, experiences, and influences.

• "The Incredible Melting Man" (42:05, HD) is an interview with actor Paul Wilson, who explores his interest in the improvisational comedy world, traveling to San Francisco to participate in the scene. In the early 1980s, Wilson made contact with director Ulli Lommel for "BrainWaves," pulled out of his everyday life to share moments with Tony Curtis. The Wisconsin Experience is detailed by Wilson, who has plenty of anecdotes about the location and Lommel's personality on-set. Memories of the cast and crew are shared, with the interviewee fully loaded when it comes to stories about his time with his quirky collaborators.

• "Mind of a Chess Player" (18:45, HD) is an interview with camera operator Jurg V. Walther, who opens with extreme praise for director Ulli Lommel, highlighting his creativity and even comparing the helmer to Hitchcock. Armed with a new Kodak stock, Walther was ready for "The Devonsville Terror," recalling Lommel's on-set presence and his own mission to make the movie look good, dealing with special effects.

• "It's Melting Men" (15:16, HD) is an interview with special effects artist Matthew Mungle, who made his way to Los Angeles, working to become a makeup man for Hollywood. Finding his way to "The Devonsville Terror," Mungle shares his experience working with director Ulli Lommel, who wanted a melting face effect, similar to the one in "Raiders of the Lost Ark." Mungle goes into technical information about the gruesome visual, which required layers of gore, turning the character's demise into something memorable.

• Interview (7:16, HD) is a 2016 chat with director Ulli Lommel.

• Image Gallery (1:10) collects marketing materials and BTS snaps, including makeup documentation.

• And a Trailer (1:55, SD) is included.

The Devonsville Terror Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"The Devonsville Terror" actually has three female characters causing unrest in the community, with a radio DJ and a scientist radiating trouble just by their presence in town. The idea is to connect 300 years of history, but Jenny is prioritized in the writing (perhaps because Love co-wrote the script), with the overall arc of suspicion lacking necessary connective tissue. Still, there are plenty of peculiar creative choices to keep the viewing experience compelling (including a face-melting fate for a character, lifted from "Raiders of the Lost Ark"), and while brevity doesn't inspire a complete story for "The Devonsville Terror," it does help with the entertainment factor, as Lommel tosses a bunch of macabre business on the screen and exits immediately, creating some laughs and compelling kookiness along the way.