La noche de las gaviotas

Não procure a lógica aqui. Depois torna-se uma experiência de terror atmosférica, quase hipnótica, com tomadas em câmara lenta de cavaleiros mortos-vivos a cavalo e música escura com cânticos demoníacos. O enredo avança de tal forma que nunca aborrece. O desvendar do mistério da cidade litoral amaldiçoada é contínuo e em frases curtas. E é o seu peso que é a força principal do filme. Juntamente com as grandes (ainda por hoje!) máscaras dos «nazgûls» demoníacos e com a cinematografia sombria impressionantemente composta. Obviamente, tem um certo grau de ingenuidade. Mas nem sequer há uma indicação de ridículo. (16/01/2021)

The first half of this franchise was a massive disappointment and for some time I didn’t feel like watching the rest. Today I finally decided to put on at least the last and better reviewed part. I have the same issues I did with the first part, though this time it was little more fun. The horror props (ruins, a mysterious village, dead knights) deserve praise, unfortunately, they are not used to make a film with a quality that would match their potential. Even though I tried not to notice it (given the age of the film), there was one thing that bothered me: why is it clear in most night scenes that they were shot in daylight? Couldn’t the filmmakers have waited at least until it got overcast to avoid having those awful shadows everywhere? The film has the word “night” in its name for God’s sake! (14/06/2010)

The Spanish horror film Night of the Seagulls is part of a series that in and of itself is very good. This fourth film is also very good. The Templars on horseback are simply frightening, as if they cannot be stopped, as if death were inevitable. Add to that the contrast with beautiful women, and of course the pretty nice special effects. (14/01/2019)