Watch Thundercrack!

Thundercrack! is a bizarre and raunchy black comedy film that was directed and written by Curt McDowell in 1975. It is a film that requires an open mind and an inclination towards dark humor and eroticism. The movie is creatively unconventional, and it takes a dive into taboo subjects that might be too hard for some viewers to stomach. Thundercrack! has developed a cult following and is as polarizing as it is fascinating.

The plot revolves around five strangers who find themselves stranded at an old dark mansion during a stormy night. They are then invited inside by a strange woman, Gert Hammond (Marion Eaton), who lives in the mansion with her deaf and mute servant, Mervo (George Kuchar). The five strangers are of different backgrounds and have nothing in common except for their shared misfortune of ending up in the mansion. As the night progresses, we discover that Gert has bizarre fetishes and an overactive sex drive. She begins to seduce every stranger one by one, including two female hitchhikers, Raina and Monica (played by Melinda McDowell and Maggie Pyle), a rough-edged circus performer, Sash (Mark Ellinger), and a professor, Roger St. Claire (Ken Scudder), who suffers from impotence. Despite their initial reluctance, the guests eventually agree to participate in Gert's kinky sexual fantasies.

The film is sexually explicit and contains scenes that may be offensive to some, including BDSM, urination, bestiality, and necrophilia. The surreal and absurd elements in the story enhance the unsettling and disorienting feel of the movie. The graphic sexual content is juxtaposed with witty humor, making the film an absurd comedy of manners. The director cleverly creates a sense of detachment by presenting the entire movie in black and white and by using special effects such as freeze-frames and extreme close-ups.

One of the most intriguing aspects of the movie is the casting. The actors are not professional, and most of them are part of the San Francisco underground art scene. Marion Eaton is both convincing and amusing as the crazy, sex-starved Gert, whose performance is both scary and comical. George Kuchar is perfect in his role as Mervo, and his character is the only one who seems to have a grip on reality. Melinda McDowell as the unstable, sex-crazed Raina is notable for her uninhibited, physical performance. Some of the most memorable scenes involve her character. It's worth noting that the film also features a live gorilla as part of a plot point.

Thundercrack! remains a landmark film of the American underground movie scene. The film provides a rare insight into the subculture of the time and the aspirations of the San Francisco art scene. Despite its controversy, it highlights the experimental art that was being created in the 1970s, challenging the hegemonic forces that dominated the mainstream film industry. While some viewers might consider it nothing more than a tasteless exploitation movie, it is also a film that masters the art of shock and entertainment. The movie features plenty of eyebrow-raising moments that will make you want to look away, but at the same time, you can’t help but want to watch more.

In conclusion, Thundercrack! is a bizarre, sexually explicit, and darkly comedic film that won't be to everyone's liking, but it is still a cult classic. It is a one-of-a-kind trip into the strange and twisted world of underground cinema, and it still has the power to shock and entertain. If you don't mind some risque humor, boundary-pushing themes, and graphic sexual imagery, then Thundercrack! is a must-see movie.