Evilspeak (1981) – There Might Be a Reason Clint Howard Rarely Stars in a Film

I watched this movie back in 1982 or so on HBO or Cinemax and really liked it – then I watched in again in 1990 and was not so impressed. I watched it again last night, and while still not impressed, I liked it better than in 1990. The main reason for liking it a little better – a newer cut with more left in it.

This is not a good film. Not worse than many profiled on this blog so far, but still not good. Stanley Coopersmith, (played by Clint Howard), an outcast, geeky orphan enrolled in a military academy, alway being picked on by the more co-ordinated and popular students finds an ally in Satan, through Esteban, and ancient priest that turned to Satan and was cast out of the Church a few centuries before. Coopersmith, while cleaning out the cellar of the old church on campus discovers an ancient book that is the writings of this Estaban. 

Using the school’s trust Apple II computers, Coopersmith translates the ancient book and after a few false starts raises Satan/Esteban and rains Hell down on those that made his life… err… Hell. Along the journey he gains a dog, loses a dog, gets threatened and gets revenge on “Sarge” – a seemingly dangerous old drunk and more.

This film was banned in the United Kingdom for years due to it’s gory climax and Satanism. Still, this film manages to stay boring. Watch it if you like, but it gets no recommendation from me.

Here is the trailer: