Libramedi Intense, gripping, stylish and poignant

Reptileenbu Did you people see the same film I saw?

Jenni Devyn Worth seeing just to witness how winsome it is.

Allissa .Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.

meddlecore A strange growth, which has appeared on the neck of a woman named Karen, confuses tumor experts- as it appears to be a developing fetus.Then, her boyfriend- a skeptical tarot card reading conman, with a scarily accurate record- witnesses her speaking in tongues, while in bed one night, and believes that some sort of black magic is afoot. Especially after one of his clients utters the same words- Pana Wichi Salitou- before throwing herself down a flight of stairs.After a little research, they discover an old native legend which talks about how Shamans can travel through time and be reborn, by releasing their Manitou (Immortal Spirit) and impregnating themselves within a man, woman, or animal, at any point in the future or past.They now believe that a 400-plus year old spirit of a Native American Medicine Man has impregnated himself into their friend...and it is about to reborn...out of her back...So the boyfriend travels to South Dakota in order to solicit the help of a modern day Shaman named John Singing Rock, with hopes he'll be able to send the ancient spirit back from whence it came, and save Karen's Life.He explains to them that he may not have what it takes, because every time a Manitou is reborn, it gains more strength. And if it's powerful enough to impregnate itself into someone, it's likely been reborn 4 or 5 times over...and, thus, quite powerful.However, it's only once he gets there that Singing Rock realize how powerful the Manitou inside Karen really is. And what ensues up until the end is downright bizarre, confusing, hilarious, and pretty implausible...but totally f*cking awesome, at the same time.Midgets coming out of women's backs (like mushrooms popping through their volvas); reptilian demons; frozen nurses; exploding typewriters; and a naked laser battle in space, are all, seemingly, elements of the pre-apocalypse...and lead up to a cameo by Satan himself (also known as the Old One).What an amazing film. Weird. Yet, Amazing. The ending is so wild, it's simply not possible to predict the direction it ends up taking. I love Shaman vs Shaman battles, and was about to get p*ssed off when I suspected everything was about to go the white male saviour route...but couldn't stop laughing at what was to actually follow.Weirdness aside, it's most redeeming quality is that it makes somewhat of an attempt to portray Indigenous Culture in a positive light (i'll let you be the judge, as to whether the ending f*cks all that up, or not haha)...so that's pretty cool too.Whether you like Shaman vs Shaman battles; enjoy a good body-horror; or just like to get your weird on...this is the film for you.Watch it on Columbus Day for added effect.7 out of 10.

gavin6942 The girlfriend of a mystic (Tony Curtis) finds out that a lump on her back is a growing reincarnation of a 400 year-old demonic Native American spirit.I do have to say there is an unnecessary white man and Indian bit (where the Indian says he should not help the white man because of what his people did). But I will let it slide because I suppose when this movie came out there was still the pushback to get respect for Indians (which may or may not have worked).I thought for the most part the film had amazing effects, interesting characters and a really good premise. This was apparently based on an incident that happened in Japan in 1969 where a boy had a tumor in his chest that was later believed to be a fetus. While it certainly was not a fetus, I can see how that would inspire such an impressive story.

capone666 The ManitouFor a White woman, the best part of being possessed by a Native American is that she can wear Mukluks guilt-free.However, the vessel in this horror movie is more concerned with her survival.When his ex-assistant, Karen (Susan Strasberg), comes to him with a protuberance, psychic charlatan Harry (Tony Curtis) finds his skepticism challenged.When an attempt to remove the growth from Karen's neck is made, Harry discovers that he is facing the fetus of a hundred-year old Native American Shaman hell-bent on being reborn.With help from a medicine man (Michael Ansara), Harry must prevent the Manitou from gaining strength and amalgamating with The Devil.Graphic for its time, and eerie at any age, The Manitou not only tackles Native Rights but also embraces their belief that everything has a spirit.In fact, according to Native legend, the only earthbound entity without a soul is the White man. (Yellow Light)vidiotreviews.blogspot.ca

alistairc_2000 This movie is based on Graham Masterton's classic horror novel of the same name. While the movie is not as good as GM's original novel it is well worth watching if you are into novel ways of looking at the horror genre. Intrigued? Read on.The Manitou is the tale of a two hundred year old medicine man (the protagonist), Karen Tandy (the victim of the tale) and Harry Erskine (the hero)(who is played by Tony Curtis (he says he does not remember making this movie) ). Karen gets a lump on her shoulder and goes to hospital, they tell her it is like a foetus. She goes to Harry for help and that is when it becomes apparent that this is no ordinary tumour. The medicine man from the past is seeking a way to get to the future and Karen is his portal. Will Harry be able to stop the native American magic from coming into the 20th century? Watch the movie and find out.It is a well made horror movie from the seventies from cult director William Girdler who also made Grizzly and day of the animals. Incidentally GM did not leave the tale there. He went on to right a number of very good sequels none of which have been made into movies.