Reviewed by: Root Rot
Satanis: The Devil’s Mass (1970)
Directed by: Ray Laurent
Saranis: The Devils Mass is a documentary about the early years of The Church of Satan and its founder Anton Levey.
Plot,
Anton Levey and some of the more colorful members (one in the nude) of The Church of Satan (CoS) explain to the viewers the CoS isn’t bad, but simply misunderstood. Levey and the gang go over the day-to-day operations, rules, and rituals of the CoS. Levey’s neighbors most of which are not fans of his church, yet tolerate the group are also interview. Between interviews members of the CoS lead by Levey perform a satanic ritual which feature nude saggy titted women.
Thoughts,
The documentary portrays the CoS as a group of theatrical free thinking rebels that are misunderstood by the average citizen. Levey explains the CoS doen’t worship the devil (or any deity for that matter), yet believes in casting spells upon people. Members of the CoS support Levey’s statements though out the doc, and share their own personal experiences with the CoS. Levey’s neighbors that are interviewed for the doc (two Mormon guys, a priest, a couple of old men, and some women) don’t seem to care what Levey does as long as they’re not bothered.
It’s was hard for me to watch this movie as a documentary because the film has such a mondo feel to it. I would like to know if Levey had any influence on the directors final cut of the doc, and if the members of the CoS were hamming it up for the camera…. After all, the CoS is know for it’s theatrics. Also, the lack of concern from Levey’s neighbors while interviewed smelled like paid actors, or friends of CoS.
On a scale of A+ being the best and E being the worst, I give the 1970 documentary Saranis: The Devils Mass a C+. I expected the documentary to have less interviews, and more footage of the Satanic rituals. (I guess that was a good thing considering most of the ritual footage featured a old naked chick).
Saranis: The Devils Mas is worth a watch, and it makes a unique addition to your DVD collection. You can get a copy of Saranis: The Devils Mass as part of a double feature that includes Sinthia: The Devil’s Doll (1970) from Something Weird. If you just just want to view Saranis go to Google, type in the title, hit search, and you’ll easily find it…to download legally of course.
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To me, he CoS has always looked like a bad LARP group performing in-game rites. Maybe if they had the Catholic church’s budget they might be able to do something, but otherwise every so-called “Satanist” I’ve ever met has been more or less a douche. Satan is supposed to represent sin, sex, drugs and rock n roll. You know ole Beelzebub has gotta look at these guys and facepalm every time they invoke his name. I mean, how embarrassing can you get?
Ive met a few “Satan worshipers” and all they wanted to do is talk H.P. Lovecraft and D&D…no bullshit, that ‘s it.
Great review,not seen this in many years.not much satanism in the news these days,I think it gies on on a mass scale these day within the governments etc,ooooo!
Thanks, Jonny, it’s not worth a re-watch…
I may well give that on a miss then,although I do need to bold up my something weird titles,I must have look and see if they ship to uk,England doesn’t really have Safavids just Druids and hippy shut like the wicker man weirdos!!
You just brought up a forgotten name to me. I will have to look this up again. I remember enjoying this a little, but a rewatch could be in order. Thanks again.
That was the second time I have watched it and I made it all the way through… It isn’t bad, but it’s no GG Allin Hated
Now gg Allen hated that’s a great film,have you seen a documentary called”big river man”?it’s about a lunatic guy from Latvia that swims the amazon,amazing stuff