Alicia
I love this movie so much
Vashirdfel
Simply A Masterpiece
Huievest
Instead, you get a movie that's enjoyable enough, but leaves you feeling like it could have been much, much more.
Fleur
Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.
bensonmum2
In post-WWII Philippines, Joseph Langdon (John Ashley) is on the run, being hunted as a traitor. About to die and unable to go on, he suddenly sees the image of Satan. He's offered his life in return for his service. Years later, a man named Philip Rogers (again, John Ashley) wakes in the hospital, covered in bandages. When the bandages are removed, the face is not that of Rogers, but Langdon. Satan wants him to turn others to his side. But when Landon has second thoughts, he's turned into a snarling beast, only capable of killing and devouring those he comes into contact with. At least I think this is the basic plot. Who knows and who cares?In all honestly, Beast of the Yellow Night isn't really all that good and I've probably overrated it. But it did have some things I enjoyed. I found the plot concept surprisingly ingenious. I never expected this level of creativity in a Filipino exploitation movie. Not that they had the money to effectively pull it off, but the idea was good. The budget limitations are especially noticeable when it comes to the monster make-up. Cheap is an understatement. I know this may sound contradictory, but, other than the monster make-up/mask, the other low-budget effects actually work in the film's favor. When Langdon rips open a body, for example, the effects have a real disturbing quality to them.As for the acting, Vic Diaz, who I believe is in every Filipino movie I've seen, is a hoot in Beast of the Yellow Night. His laughing, happy Satan is the real star of the movie. Not what I expected from Diaz. Ashley does quite good also. His understated delivery works given his characters predicament. The lovely Mary Wilcox plays Rogers' wife, Julia. For some reason that makes no rational sense, Julia agrees to sleep with Langdon/Rogers though he looks nothing like her husband and is possessed by Satan. Still, it wouldn't be a Filipino exploitation/horror movie without the requisite sex scene.
Scott LeBrun
Joseph Langdon (John Ashley) is a traitorous, cowardly deviate running for his life in post WWII Philippines. He encounters Satan himself (prolific Filipino icon Vic Diaz), who promises that he will save Langdons' ass in exchange for becoming his disciple. Unfortunately, periodic transformations into a grotesque creature - and inevitable rampages of said creature - will be part of the bargain.If you've seen a lot of Filipino exploitation and genre cinema, you've seen the name of the writer / director often: Eddie Romero. Here Romero crafts a decent enough horror flick that manages to overcome the limitations of a (most likely) limited budget. It's certainly cheap looking, but it has much of the atmosphere common to Filipino horror of the 60s and 70s. Romeros' screenplay is also more interesting than the usual monster movie cranked out by the country during these decades. As you can see, it's got a touch of "Faust", combined with a werewolf tale and domestic drama, as Langdon / Philip Rogers tries to mend his relationship with his wife (sexy Mary Charlotte Wilcox). The effective music score is by Nestor Robles, the passable makeup effects by Tony Artieda.Ashley tries his best in a role more meaty (pardon the expression) than he usually played in these movies. Wilcox isn't that great, but is certainly pleasing to look at. Leopoldo Salcedo and Eddie Garcia (another guy who turned up frequently in these sorts of movies) are fine as investigating detectives, and Ken Metcalfe is alright as Rogers' brother Earl. Diaz has fun with the flashiest role in the picture (and has the best dialogue), but the best performance has to come from Andres Centenera (the warden in "The Big Bird Cage"), who plays the helpful blind man.Fairly thoughtful, and reasonably entertaining, "Beast of the Yellow Night" has some good moments throughout.Six out of 10.
MartinHafer
During the 1970s, a long series of schlocky horror films came out of the Philippines. They all were extremely low budgeted, featured ridiculous looking monsters and tossed in some boobies. I have yet to see one of these films that doesn't fit this pattern--and this certainly includes "The Beast of the Yellow Night". It's bad but also fun if you happen to like bad films--and there are quite a few bad movie buffs out there. Heck, despite reviewing countless art and foreign films, I like a schlock film now and then--and an Eddie Romero film certainly fits that bill.An idiot (perennial lead in Filipino horror films, John Ashley) eats some poisonous fruit. But instead of dying, Satan appears and makes him a deal--you become my servant and I'll let you live. Now this movie's version of Satan is interesting--he's no idiot in a red suit and horns--he's just some fat Filipino guy in a bandanna. However, wouldn't you know it but this bargain comes with a catch--the guy becomes a hairy monster with a taste for human flesh. Not surprisingly, this creates problems with his lady, as he is torn between ripping her clothes off or just ripping her to pieces.While this is a cheesy monster film, it's interesting to note that the film is very slow to get to the action. Sure, eventually he turns into a silly monster and runs amok--but this isn't until rather late in the film. But when he does, it's well worth the wait--as he looks utterly ridiculous! What I really liked is how there is a makeup line on his neck--and you can see this very clearly. Overall, yet another dopey film in the genre.
wes-connors
"A man is saved from certain death by selling his soul to the devil, who charges him with recruiting others to his evil cause. As part of his terms for relinquishing control of his soul to Satan, the man is cursed to endure transformation into a hideous creature and stalk his victims by night. The local authorities want to find and destroy this murderous creature before it can take another victim, while the man looks to find a way to end his cursed existence," according to the DVD sleeve's synopsis.Filmed in the Philippines, with director Eddie Romero. It's difficult to completely understand the story; approximately, it's Faust becoming the Werewolf with a touch of Frankenstein, after a time warp.It's more interesting, at this point, to assess the career of star John Ashley. When he mysteriously appears in the present, doctors remove bandages from Mr. Ashley's said to be horribly disfigured face. Instead, a bearded Ashley looks better in 1971 than ever (in films since the 1950s). Ashley's characterization (as Joseph Langdon aka Philip Rogers) isn't terrific, but it's valiant; probably, his career lacked worth material. Vic Diaz (as Death aka Satan) is entertaining, in the tastiest role. And, Mary Wilcox (as Julia Rogers) is the blonde dish Ashley samples.