Mark of the Devil

In the midst of the European witch trials, a small Austrian town is subject to the sadistic whims of self-appointed witchfinder Albino, who inflicts torture and agonizing death on those he accuses of conspiracy with the Devil. But when the zealous Lord Cumberland arrives, along with his executioner and aristocratic young attendant Christian, to take over the responsibility of local witch-hunting, the town is plunged into even greater depths of terror and depravity as he metes out ever more brutal tortures on the populace, all in the name of God. As Lord Cumberland’s maniacal practices reach a fever pitch, and Christian’s would-be love interest, Vanessa, ends up as his latest target, Christian is thrown into a crisis of faith, as the perilous edge of violence draws ever closer.

The result of an intensely troubled production which saw British writer/director Michael Armstrong (House of the Long Shadows) virtually at war with producer, famed Austrian actor Adrian Hoven (Kiss Me Monster), MARK OF THE DEVIL became an immediate international hit, generating equal parts acclaim and condemnation, with the film being banned in the United Kingdom and promoted in the U.S. by infamous distributor Hallmark Releasing with vomit bags and the slogan “Rated V for Violence!” Featuring the first starring role for future genre icon Udo Kier (Flesh for Frankenstein), the film set a new benchmark for onscreen bloodshed with its graphic and unflinching portrayal of torture and dismemberment, culminating in the much-talked about tongue-ripping scene. Vinegar Syndrome is delighted to present the UHD world premiere of MARK OF THE DEVIL, restored in 4K from the original 35mm camera negative, in this extras-packed edition that’s sure to shock and appall moral crusaders everywhere!