Anazapta

2001, cert 15, running time 105 minutes

Director: Alberto Sciamma

Anazapta is a medieval thriller set in England during 1348. It is a tale of lust and revenge that unfolds beneath the shadow of the Black Death.

Brought to a small English village as hostage, an enigmatic French Nobleman turns out to be an impostor.

With a deadly agenda, the man embodies the most primal instincts and uses them to exact a merciless revenge on a village cursed for their nefarious past.

At his command is the deadliest of weapons, the Black Death.

Starring Jason Flemyng, Lena Headey and David La Haye.

Reviews

“Hypocrisy, vengeance, the Black Death, and – most chilling of all – a 14th century village with people with Shane MacGowan-type teeth.

Director Alberto Sciammia’s modest but gripping supernatural thriller never looks cheap or plays dumb to its tale of mysterious French war hostage who seems to be implicated in the plague retribution that descends on his captors. Treading a fine line between occult hamminess and the underlying contention that flesh-and-blood human beings can be just as malevolent as Dark Forces, ANAZAPTA rarely looses its balance. It also feels partly like an affectionate homage to the gothic classics of Hammer-era horror.

Factor in the grim period detail, neat plotting and solid acting – David Le Haye as the tortured stranger and horror veteran Jon Finch as the Lord of the Manor with a bloody secret – and you’ve got something of a nail-chewer.

And that’s before the Grand Guigol carnage kicks into gear….”

Jennifer Nine, TOTAL FILM

“Doing a period piece is a gamble, especially on a tight budget, this film succeeds on several levels. A brave and interesting attempt….good performances…some amusing moments…comedic as well as gripping…and a handful of ambitious ideas."
Rupert Laight, FILM REVIEW

3/5 stars - NUTS

DVD info

Synopsis

More details: Anazapta website.